Our first teams both achieved what they set out to on Saturday, finishing the first half of the outdoor season with three points and in the top four of their respective divisions.
The boys were on first and started with a bang, going 1-0 up on visitors Hillhead after 20 seconds through Joe McConnell. That was as good as it got, though, and the game finished the same way, ensuring that Western go into the winter break in third place. We weren't present but various onlookers and participants gave us their views: "Scrappy" (Donald Miller), "bitty" (Keith Joss) and "s***e" (S.W.R. McCartney) seemed to sum up the general mood. Hopefully sponsors Thistle Books enjoyed the day and were able to deal with this morning's Black Monday rush following worldwide exposure for their brand.
Next up were the Women's 1s who struggled to overcome an obdurate GHK. The first half was very even and the scoreline was 1-1 at half-time. Wildcats dialled up the pressure in the second half but it took them a long time to make the breakthrough. Eventually they managed it and, with GHK's resistance broken, added another couple before the end for a 4-1 win. Dundee Wanderers' defeat to Grove Menzieshill means that the girls will spend Christmas in the top four. An excellent achievemant and a sign of genuine and sustained improvement since last season.
The Women's 2s beat Clydeside 1-0 as they keep their good run going through Leonie Traynor. Less fortunate the 3s. They lost 8-0 at home to Loch Lomond.
The Men's 2s lost to Inverleith 2s 7-3. Apparently video of the game is already circulating amongst top European coaches looking for tips on catenaccio-type "keep the back door locked" defending. No, not really.
The 3s dominated their contest with Strathclyde University 2s but had to make do with a 3-1 win courtesy of Kris Kane (2) and Alastair Scott. They are now 11 points clear in West District Division 1 going into the winter having recorded 11 wins from 11 league fixtures.