Preview: Greater Glasgow Matches 2nd Sep 2017
This is a preview to this weekend’s matches in the Greater Glasgow League. A lot of clubs are playing in the Scottish Cup this weekend but this is focussed on the GGPAFL. This is a brief look into the games in store and please follow @__SportCentral (two underscores) on twitter.
Let us know how you get on this weekend, and any players, coaches, referees or fans that would like to comment on the game, please get in touch with me.
Here are this weekend’s league and President’s League Cup matches.
Division 1
Newton Vale vs. St. Patrick’s FP
Newton Vale host St. Patrick’s FP in Division 1, St. Patrick’s will be desperate to get off to a winning start in the Division 1 game. Newton Vale picked up a valuable point in their first game in Division 1 and will look to do one better this weekend at home.
Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’ vs. Cambria
Top of the table Eastwood Parkmount A host Cambria in Division 1. Eastwood will be looking to carry on from last weeks 15-3 victory and keep their 100% league record intact. Cambria drew with Newton Vale and will look to pick up 3 points away from home.
We spoke to John Boyce and he said “ Tough weekend for both teams, EPM A face Cambria, a team that dominated two years ago when they were both in Division 2, however a much improved EPM A squad with the additions of prolific goal scorer Ross Mcdonald, powerful runner Prab Jasir and experience workhorse Gerry Mcguiness and it’s a different EPM side they face this season.
Big news is both team’s goal keeper’s Euan Kyle and Peter Mcmillan are unavailable due to work or holiday commitments however two reliable, trusted trialist keepers have been drafted in.
Division 1 Table;
1st - Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’ - (2) - 6
2nd - Eaglesham - (1) - 3
3rd - Cambria - (1) - 1
4th - Newton Vale - (1) - 1
5th - Calderglen
6th - Erskine
7th - Glasgow University ‘A’
8th - St. Patrick FP
9th - Strathclyde University
10th - Jordanhill - (1) - 0
11th - Westerlands ‘A’ - (1) - 0
12th - Dynamo East Kilbride - (1) - 0
Division 2
John Street vs. Third Lanark
Tomorrow seems Third Lanark travel to John Street in division 2 in the hope to continue their perfect division 2 record. They have been brilliant in their two wins for far and will want to make it three wins from three in league action. John Street have also won their first and only game in the league as they look to win their second match also.
We spoke to David Ampleford regarding this game and he said “ Team news is that Jonny Scott is out with a groin injury and Robbie Sinclair is unavailable but back comes out captain Duncan McIntyre and also Striker, Josh Graham will be back as well.
John Street is always a tough match, they had a good result midweek and will be looking to add another.”
North Kelvin Sports vs. East Kilbride Y.M.
North Kelvin Sports have been struggling to get players on the park each week unfortunately and they go up against the dangerous East Kilbride YM. East Kilbride have been brilliant in the President's League Cup, currently sitting top. They did unfortunately fall short in their first game of division 2 season and will be looking to right that wrong tomorrow.
Westerlands G.G. vs. Rannoch
Rannoch currently sit second as they picked up a very good win to start their season and Westerlands G.G will be looking for their first win of the season. Rannoch were clinical in their first win in division 2.
Division 2 Table;
1st - Third Lanark - (2) - 6
2nd - Rannoch - (1) - 3
3rd - Eastwood Parkmount ‘B’ - (1) - 3
4th - John Street - (1) - 3
5th - Crookston Castle - (1) - 3
6th - Colquhoun United - (0) - 0
7th - Glasgow University ‘B’ - (0) - 0
8th - East Kilbride Y.M. - (1) - 0
9th - Westerlands G.G. - (1) - 0
10th - FC Baillieston - (1) - 0
11th - Ashvale Victoria - (2) - 0
12th - North Kelvin Sports - (1) - 0
Division 3
Newshot vs. Busby
In division 3 action, Newshot host Busby, Newshot won their first match of the season and look to continue this. They will be looking to take off from that win and build on it at the start of the season.
Helensburgh vs. South Lochaber Thistle
The game will be played in high spirits as two clubs that are good friends with each other go head in head in what both of their first games of the season. We managed to catch up with both sides and speak to them about this weekend.
We spoke to a representative from Helensburgh who said “Helensburgh open up their league campaign when they host old friends South Lochaber at Hermitage park.
The two teams, who both came in to the GGP from the now defunct West of Scotland league, are well known to each other. Coach Sam Gemmell has a large pool to pick from which he states made it a difficult choice when putting tomorrow’s squad together. “It’s been a frustrating start to life in the GGP as 3 of the opening games have been cancelled which has made it difficult to get into any rhythm.” The one game we played was a gutsy win against St Pats in the league cup so at least the confidence is high.
We also spoke to the boss at South Lochaber Thistle, he said “ SLT travel to old friends, Helensburgh who also made the move to the Greater Glasgow league this season. SLT welcome back Logan Barker after his French sojourn as well as a return for keeper Ryan Hunter and a debut for new signing Shaun Hendrie”.
Rannoch Colts vs. St Thomas
Rannoch Colts have started well they have picked up 4 points from their first 2 games in division 3. They look to continue against St Thomas who haven't played in division 3 yet this season, they will be chasing a winning start.
Division 3 Table;
1st - Rannoch Colts - (2) - 4
2nd - Newshot - (1) - 3
3rd - Busby - (1) - 1
4th - Bellaire - (0) - 0
5th - Boswell - (0) - 0
6th - Helensburgh - (0) - 0
7th - South Lochaber Thistle - (0) - 0
8th - St Thomas - (0) - 0
9th - Westcliffe - (1) - 0
10th - Carradale - (1) - 0
Presidents League Cup Section 1
Eaglesham vs. Erskine
This will be a good one, both of these sides have won their games in Section 1 of the President’s League Cup. They will see this one as the match they must win to win the group. They are level on points and this is the only game remaining in Section 1. This will be a good one. Eaglesham have started well in the league also, and so has Erskine, so this will be a good game that is a must see. Who better to take on this game as referee than Derek ‘Del’ Dempster. He is in control of a treat and he will enjoy this one.
Presidents League Cup Section 1 table;
1st - Eaglesham - (1) - 3
2nd - Erskine - (1) - 3
3rd - South Lochaber Thistle - (2) - 0
Presidents League Cup Section 2
Carradale vs. FC Baillieston
An important game for both sides and they are chasing top of the table Third Lanark. THey both have a game in hand on Third Lanark and should FC Baillieston pick up a convincing win, then they could be looking at top spot, depending on goal difference. Carradale lost their game against Third Lanark, but Baillieston picked up a point against them in a draw. Carradale will be desperate to get the ball rolling with a win at home this season.
Presidents League Cup Section 2 table;
1st - Third Lanark - (2) - 4
2nd - FC Baillieston - (1) - 1
3rd - Carradale - (1) - 0
Presidents League Cup Section 4
Boswell vs. Calderglen
Boswell host Calderglen in Presidents League Cup action, Boswell have been brilliant this season, they have a strong side and, they sit in second place, but take on Calderglen, the front runners in Section 4. Bowell must win to halt the progress of Calderglen who have a game in hand and a point on their opponents.
We managed to catch up with Kevin Crawford of Calderglen and he has said, ‘Obviously looking to build on out two opening fixtures and a win tomorrow will put us in contention of winning the group’. He went on to say, ‘Injury wise, we have a couple of players carring niggles but should be ok to play. Scoring goals is not a problem as we scored 11 in two games. With Donald Barber, Craig Campbell and Darren Drummond leading the way in the scoring charts’.
Kevin Crawford of Calderglen, went on to say, ‘Calderglen are looking to pose a real challenge in all competitions regarding the league association. They are looking forward to playing Crookston Castle as we haven’t played them before’. Crawford also said, ‘Also, we are looking forward to starting league business a week from tomorrow’.
Crookston Castle vs. Eastwood Parkmount ‘B’
Eastwood Parkmount B will be without their usual goal keeper, but they face Crookston Castle. There is just a point between the two but Crookston have played one games less. Eastwood Parkmount B have struggled in their midweek matches, but this season they have been brilliant on the weekend, and as this is a weekend game, they should be confident ahead of it. They will want to win it as a win can change so much in this very tight Section of the President’s League Cup.
Presidents League Cup Section 4 table;
1st - Calderglen - (2) - 6
2nd - Boswell - (3) - 5
3rd - Crookston Castle - (2) - 4
4th - Eastwood Parkmount ‘B’ - (3) - 3
5th - St Thomas - (4) - 1
Presidents League Cup Section 5
Ashvale Victoria vs. Jordanhill
Jordanhill have been the nearly men this year having a lot of close encounters and they will be hoping they can get the job done much more quickly this weekend. Section 5 is very tight and they face bottom of the group Ashvale Victoria in the last game of the competition’s group stage for each side.
We spoke to Iain Brown this week from Jordanhill AFC and he said “It is always a great game against Ashvale, a 4-4 game last time we played. Definitely our hoodoo team! We don’t have a great record against them at Neilston, but we have the strongest squad in years… really strong going forward with Lavery, Cole, Parker and Warnes: there will definitely be goals tomorrow. We certainly won’t be taking Ashvale lightly, always a physical side who make it difficult. A few players are returning in the next couple of weeks, which will of course be an added bonus! Looking forward to a great game!
Presidents League Cup Section 5 table;
1st - Newshot - (2) - 4
2nd - Bellaire - (2) - 3
3rd - Jordanhill - (2) - 3
4th - Ashvale Victoria - (2) - 1