Preview: Greater Glasgow weekend preview
This weekend will see a lot of league 1, 2 and 3 action, as the leagues begin to take shape. It is an important weekend for every side as they will want to get a good start.
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DIVISION 1
Newton Vale vs. Jordanhill
After a brilliant result last weekend, Newton Vale will look to continue their winning streak. They beat St. Patrick's FP 6-2 in division one, as the set out to retain the division 1 championship. Newton Vale have won and drawn their first two games of the season. Jordanhill drew last weekend in the President's League Cup. They are now focussed on league action, and will want to beat Newton Vale and get their first win on the board.
Newton Vale have said this week, that they are 'Hoping to keep this momentum going. Should have been 6 points out of 6 if it wasn't for a last minute goal against Cambria. Jordanhill were tough games last year and this year will be no different. We're still trying to find our feet with so many new players brought in but we have been doing okay.'
We managed to speak to Iain Brown of Jordanhill, who stressed to us how big of a game this one is for the club. Brown went on the say that, 'We are missing some key players but have some regulars returning at the same time. We managed to beat Newton Vale 4-2 away from home last year which was probably our best result and performance. A very talented side, especially on the wings. They play good football on the deck, which we like, but we will need to be at our best. Will be one of our toughest games this season, we will need to work really hard to get anything.'
Cambria vs. Westerlands 'A'
An excellent victory for Cambria with their backs against the wall last week, with their goal keeper playing in defence. This weekend they have said that they will not require this change of position for two weeks in a row as they have a few players returning to the fray. They will go into this game full of confidence and ready to go at home against Westerlands 'A'. Last weekend, Westerlands 'A' were in Scottish Cup Round 1 action and they lost 2-1 to Bellaire. They will be ready to focus on division 1 now, looking to win against Cambria, away from home.
Erskine vs. Calderglen
Despite last weeks results, Calderglen are ready to go in division 1. They played against Boswell last weekend in the President's League Cup, but they are more than ready to get on with division 1 action. The two sides have not played so far in divison 1 this season, they will both be ready to get underway and try and get that first win under their belt.
We spoke to Calderglen, who are ready for this weekends encounter, 'We are looking forward to getting down to league business against Erskine and looking to get a positive start aiming for 3 points and continue a recent good record against Erskine. Hoping to get some players that have been missing in recent weeks back and pushing for a start.'
St. Patrick's FP vs. Eaglesham
St. Pats will be looking to get their first win of division 1 this year, they fell to last years champions Newton Vale. They are at home this weekend against host Eaglesham who did win their first game in this league. Having drew 0-0 against Erskine, Eaglesham will be looking to try and get three points and take off from an already good start of the season.
Division 1 league table;
1st - Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’ - (3) - 6 2nd - Newton Vale - (2) - 4 3rd - Cambria - (2) - 4 4th - Eaglesham - (1) - 3 5th - Calderglen 6th - Erskine 7th - Glasgow University ‘A’ 8th - Strathclyde University 9th - Jordanhill - (1) - 0 10th - Westerlands ‘A’ - (1) - 0 11th - St. Patrick’s FP - (1) - 0 12th - Dynamo East Kilbride - (1) - 0
DIVISION 2
Crookston Castle vs. Ashvale Victoria
Crookston Castle, who started their league campaign with a win and in the President’s League Cup, they picked up a very good 5-1 win over Eastwood Parkmount ‘B’. They will look to continue their form against Ashvale Victoria who drew with division 1 club Jordanhill in the President’s League Cup. They will be ready to get underway in the league and opponents Jordanhill spoke very highly of Ashvale Victoria after their match.
East Kilbride Y.M. vs. FC Baillieston
Last week East Kilbride YM hammered North Kelvin Sports 11-0 in the second biggest victory in this years Greater Glasgow Football League. They will not just be happy that they scored 11 goals, they will also take a lot of pride in keeping a clean sheet. This has put them in a strong position in division 2 in the very early stages. FC Baillieston also had a brilliant victory last weekend winning 4-1 away from home in President’s League Cup. They beat Carradale and will be ready to get going in the League competition and to register their first set of three points.
We have heard from East Kilbride YM this week and they have said that they are, ‘Looking to continue winning ways but expect a tough game against a good Baillieston side. It will be a game that could be crucial come the end of the season in the race for the league title.’
Eastwood Parkmount 'B' vs. John Street
Important game in for both sides in division 2, Eastwood Parkmount ‘B’ will take a lot of confidence in the fact that their goal keeper is back and ready to go. After last week, they are able to put the President’s League Cup behind them and to continue with division 2 action. They won their first match and picked up full points, and will not want this to change. John Street have won one, lost one this season in division 2 and will travel to Eastwood Parkmount in the hunt for three points. John Street were brilliant in both games they have played, in division 2 action. They were narrowly beaten by Third Lanark, who sit at the top of the table, with thanks to a brilliant hat trick from Alan Semple. John Street will be looking to continue their run of form and get back to winning ways.
Third Lanark vs. Rannoch
Rannoch played in a brilliant game against Westerlands GG and scored 4 goals. Although, the fact they conceded 6 goals may be a reason for concern as they are up against Third Lanark, including superstar striker Semple. Alan Semple has been in inspired form in the last two weeks. He has scored 7 goals in the last 2 games for Third Lanark, and a massive reason as to why Third Lanark currently sit at the top of the table. They are home this weekend to Rannoch and will look to continue their string of victories. Third Lanark will be very confident going into this one and they will be positive playing at Fullarton Park. We managed to speak to David, from Third Lanark this week and he said, ‘This weekends game v Rannoch will be a good one. We're back at Fullarton Park. Had a good night at training tonight with the Ibiza 3 (Daniel O'Brien, Qaasim Ali and Jamie "Boaby" McKay) returning and another player Luke Pye returning after spending a few months in New York.’ ‘I'm not sure how the squad will look yet, the midweek games have been a little intense with every game being against a good team. Players struggling through it with injuries so we'll see how the week goes.’ ‘We're taking it one game at a time and this game will be no different. We'll prepare as well as we can and look to get into our rhythm as quickly as we can’
Westerlands G.G. vs. Colquhoun United
Colquhoun United were on Scottish Cup Round 1 duty last weekend and they did not progress to the next round, but they will put this behind them and focus on league action in division 2. The only side that are yet to play a game in this division, they will be hoping to start positively. On the other hand, Westerlands G.G. had a massively important victory last weekend winning a 10 goals thriller 6-4 and a game that can change their season around for the better and can set up more victories. That win makes them on the board in division 2 and they will look to continue their momentum at home and try and win their second in as a many games.
Division 2 league table;
1st - Third Lanark - 9 - (3) 2nd - East Kilbride Y.M. - 3 - (2) 3rd - Rannoch - 3 - (2) 4th - Eastwood Parkmount ‘B’ - 3 - (1) 5th - Westerlands G.G. - 3 - (2) 6th - John Street - 3 - (2) 7th - Crookston Castle - 3 - (1) 8th - Colquhoun United 9th - Glasgow University ‘B’ 10th - FC Baillieston - 0 - (1) 11th - Ashvale Victoria - 0 - (2) 12th - North Kelvin Sports - 0 - (2)
DIVISION 3
St Thomas vs. Boswell
In a game that should be played in good spirit, after they ended 3-3 last time out. The two clubs have started well this season and will be keen to continue to do well, in division 3 action. St Thomas have already began their division 3 campaign, beating Rannoch Colts 5-0 last weekend, and Boswell will be ready to go in division 3. Boswell beat Calderglen last weekend at home in the President's League Cup. Both sides kept clean sheets last weekend and they have both been free scoring all season. Just like last time they played, this should be a very good match.
St Thomas have said that, 'This week we are looking to build on our clean sheet from last week, been letting a lot of goals in but a couple of new players have given us a lot more stability. Looking forward to playing Boswell again after last game finished 3-3, so should be a belter again'.
It is all positive in the Boswell camp as they have said that, 'We are enjoying our football at the moment team is starting to jell. Playing Saint Thomas AFC in the league already drew 3-3 in the cup letting a 2-0 lead slip up which has probably ended our chances in the cup so we are want to get off to a good start in the league and looking forward to Saturday'.
South Lochaber Thistle vs. Newshot
For South Lochaber Thistle, have got the same players this weekend as last. They have just got positional changes. The player of the year and the new captain Martin Munro, who has been in brilliant form will be moving into a central position. South Lochaber will be adopting a new look midfield formation. Newshot are up this game, they picked up a brilliant win last weekend in division 3, beating Busby 4-1 at home. They travel to South Lochaber Thistle in the hope of picking up 3 points. This will be a good game, as division 3 starts to take shape.
This week, we have managed to speak to South Lochaber Thistle and they have said, "SLT look forward to the visit of old rivals Newshot, league winners last season and easily one of the best sides we played. They have made a good start to life in the GGPL and seem to added new dimensions to their game. We always enjoy the visit of them, and their exuberant supporters, to the village and they will provide a stern test. However, we have a good record against them in the Highlands and hope we can continue this in this new season."
Bellaire vs. Westcliff
Two sides that were involved in the Scottish Cup Round 1 last weekend, and they both won. Bellaire won 2-1 at home and Westcliffe had a brilliant win, a 6-0 win against Olympique Energetik AFC. Both will enter this one with momentum on their side and it will be a good contest in division 3. Bellaire have not started in the league this year, so they will be eager to get started and try and get their three points on the board.
Busby vs. Helensburgh
Last weekend saw a brilliant win for Helensburgh who are ready to go against Busby this Saturday in division 3. Busby lost their game last weekend to a very good Newshot side, the side that tops the league at this point. Helensburgh have picked up three points from their only league game this season and will look to replicate this on Saturday against Busby.
We spoke to Helensburgh this week and they have said that, 'Helensburgh travel to Busby in confident mood after starting the season with an opening day win. Coach Sam Gemmell has lost one player to injury with striker Lee Dickson out for a few weeks with a rib injury, the rest of the squad though are fit and healthy so it's another difficult selection process again this week'.
Division 3 league table;
1st - Newshot - (2) - 6 2nd - Rannoch Colts - (3) - 4 3rd - St Thomas - (1) - 3 4th - Helensburgh - (1) - 3 5th - Busby - (2) - 1 6th - Bellaire 7th - Boswell 8th - Westcliff - (1) - 0 9th - Carradale - (1) - 0 10th - South Lochaber Thistle - (1) - 0
PRESIDENT’S LEAGUE CUP SECTION 7
Rannoch Colts vs. Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’
Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’ have been very good at the start of this season, they narrowly lost to Cambria in division 1 action last week, but they will take a lot of confidence in the fact their goalkeeper is returning this weekend, and that may give Eastwood Parkmount the edge in their match. Rannoch Colts, struggled in division 3 last weekend, they lost to St Thomas, but they will look to focus on President’s League Cup action. There is everything to play for this weekend as they play the last match with both sides on 3 points. Goal difference is on the side of Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’, so should they draw this weekend they would be the side to qualify, a positive for Eastwood Parkmount. This will be a very important game in the Section 7, league decider.
President’s League Cup Section 7 league table;
1st - Eastwood Parkmount ‘A’ - 3 - (1)
2nd - Rannoch Colts - 3 - (1)
3rd - North Kelvin Sports - 0 - (2)
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