Wednesday, 30 November 2016

West 3 - Mid-season Report

It's all nice and competitive in West 3, both in the race for the championship and for relegation - perhaps the most competitive league in Scotland.



Strathendrick had been setting a scorching pace in the league, but their unbeaten run came to a screeching end when they lost 5-0 at Loch Lomond in the last game before the break. Endrick have scored an impressive 428 points in 10 games whilst only having conceded 37 - pretty strong stuff.

Despite their win against Endrick, Loch Lomond only find themselves in 4th - still 11 points behind - having lost three from 10.  Uddingston are on the same points as Endrick, but have played a game more - they've scored an equally impressive 468 points from 11 games, but have conceded 200, to only give them a points difference of 268. 

Strathaven are in third, nine points behind, but two ahead of Loch Lomond. 

At this point, it's looking like the Championship will be between Strathendrick and Uddingston, but a couple of poor results could make all the difference and let the chasing Clubs back into the contest.

This weekend, Endrick host Wigtowhshire whilst Uddie travel to Moffat - past results suggest it should be two wins for the title challengers.  Strathaven have a more tricky task as they welcome Loch Lomond, which could see the losers as good as out of the title contest. 

It's still a few weeks away, but the first game after Christmas (7th January) sees Strathendrick scheduled to visit Uddingston - so probably one for the diary and hope the weather is kind to us.

At the foot of the table, we have four teams separated by five points. 

Police Scotland-Glasgow are holding up the table, and have played more games than those above them.  Wigtowhshire are a point ahead, but have one game in hand, Bishopton are four points ahead with a game in hand, and Arran are five ahead but with two in hand - so there's still plenty to play for.

There's a challenging set of fixtures in the run up to Christmas for each of the relegation contenders - Wigtowhshire visit Strathendrick this weekend, followed by Strathaven at home and then a trip to the Police for a game on the plastic pitch.  Police Scotland have Bishopton followed by Loch Lomond, whilst Bishopton have Moffat and Uddingston in addition to the Police this weekend.  Arran have just as challenging a schedule with a trip to Birkmyre, then Strathendrick at home followed by Strathaven away on the 17th. 

A couple of wins for any of these Clubs from this schedule would make a massive difference to their Christmas celebrations, however, could any of the four look at these games and comfortably predict they'll get even one win, never mind a couple - as ever, bonus points are going to be crucial in this battle.

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