The main course on this Saturday’s Auchenhowie menu is the Men’s 1st Team fixture against Grange (1200). Grange are a point ahead of Western but with a game to spare so, if the boys want to keep pace with the top two, they really need to take something from Saturday’s game.
Harry is under no illusions. “It is a huge game for us,” he said. “Grange have started the season well and have only lost one game so far proving how difficult they are to beat. We lost through there a couple of months back but I always think that home advantage counts for a lot and we believe that we can beat anyone at Auchenhowie.”
“What James and I are really pleased with this season is the progress made by the likes of Joe McConnell, Rob Harwood, Fabian Goldie and Johnny MacDonald. They are integral members of the side and my expectation is that they will each have a very important role to play against Grange and the forward players especially have the ability to influence the outcome in our favour.”
The 2s seesaw season swings over to the Southside. They play Clydesdale 2s at Titwood (1430). Western looked to be finding some form before two defeats on the bounce dented their title challenge, probably irrecoverably. Fraser is now aiming for second place in the league which looks realistic. He has the luxury of another healthy looking squad and Western should be competitive in this one.
And so to the 3s. Their bandwagon shows no sign of letting up with eight league wins from eight. The big games keep coming, though, and third placed Rottenrow 2s visit Auchenhowie on Saturday for what almost amounts to an evening fixture (1630). On Sunday they are at Glasgow Green for a cup game against Kelburne 4s (1500) and next Saturday they face Clydesdale 2s who are second in the league. Dare we describe the next seven days as season-defining?
The 4s host Dumfries (1030) in what will be another great test for our U16s. Dumfries are in second place, just two points ahead of Western, and will travel feeling that a win puts daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. Western, of course, know that a win sends them into second place and a promotion spot. It could be worth coming down early to catch this one.
The 5s play Clydesdale at Titwood (1130). They have faltered a little in recent weeks and a win here would get them back on track.