Clydesdale 1s were eliminated from the Men’s Scottish Cup at the Second Round following a 5-0 defeat to Edinburgh University 1s at Peffermill on Saturday.
The M1s were made to pay for an unfortunate missed penalty flick with the score at 0-0 before the student side scored five unanswered goals to run out comfortable winners. It ends Clydesdale’s hopes of a Scottish Cup at run at effectively the first time of asking given the bye advancement received from the previous round.
Going into the game, the Titwood boys were without a number of personnel including Graham Dunlop, Patrick Lonergan, Andy McAllan, Sam Hayes, Sean Mahoney and Jamie Green.
But Sammy Kasto, Fraser Hirst and Euan Lindsay made returns to an M1s side that started well in the first quarter before winning a penalty flick in the second quarter from an illegal clearance on the goalline from a penalty corner. Much to Clydesdale’s dismay, however, skipper Andrew Allan was sadly unsuccessful from the spot. And the Edinburgh side took full advantage before half time when an attack from the baseline culminated with a pass to the backpost for a forward to tap in.
The home side stepped up their scoring with two more goals in the third quarter. The first being a successful counter attack whilst the second was a reverse stick shot past ‘Dale goalkeeper Calum Douglas. In the fourth quarter, Head Coach Ciaran Crawford took the brave decision to bring his number 1 off in favour of another outfield player in hope to gain a goal quickly. But despite the away side’s efforts, Uni scored two more goals to seal their place in the next round.
Clydesdale Western 2s survived a late retort from Strathclyde University 1s on Saturday at Millerston to book their spot in the next round of the Women’s Scottish Plate.
Goals from Rachel Whittle and Sophie Highet gave Donald Amour’s side a commanding two-goal lead. The student sided responded in the fourth quarter by halving the deficit, but the L2s held on for the win.
The result was welcome news given there were concerns whether the game would even take place given the freezing temperatures that postponed a number of games up and down the country. And despite the cold conditions, ‘Dale Western 2s did not waste much time getting warmed up with an aggressive start to the contest, so it was no surprise when Whittle broke free to put her side a goal to the good. Strathclyde tried their best to respond in kind but were denied by a couple of key saves from goalkeeper Ashley Herbert.
Those saves proved crucial as Highet doubled the L2s lead, responding quickest to slot a short corner breakdown. The student side got a goal back in the final quarter, meaning the Titwood 2s girls had to be on their guard to avoid a penalty shoot out. Thankfully, key interceptions and a generally staunch defence saw Clydesdale Western 2s through in the Women’s Scottish Plate.
Clydesdale 3s pulled off a stunning late comeback before succeeding on penalty flicks in the Scottish Men’s Reserve Cup Second Round tie with Hillhead 3s at Upper Windyedge.
The Jordanhill side were holding a 2-0 lead five minutes from time before Ali Bleach and Colin Moulson scored late goals from penalty corners to send the game to flicks. Moulson was also successful from the spot as were Spencer Cox, Colin Gambles and Jack Cassie to give the M3s a 4-3 shootout win. Craig Bradley’s side are now through to the Quarter Finals of the tournament and will hope to continue in their Cup run to reach the Final of the Reserve Cup for the first time since 2015.
The game itself started with the home side keeping the majority of possession but both teams were able to exchange chances, which their respective goalkeepers were equal to, leaving the score goalless by half time.
But Hillhead 3s – currently top of Men’s West District Division One – scored the opening goal with smart near post finish before doubling their lead with a well-worked penalty corner. With only five minutes to go, Bleach set up a grandstand finish for the Titwood side with a well-converted penalty corner. The momentum from Bleach’s goal was enough to level the scoreline in the final minute when Moulson dived to deflect in from a rehearsed penalty corner routine, sending the tie to flicks.
Despite scoring four, the M3s did miss one flick in the shootout. Thankfully, it was to no avail as Hillhead 3s missed on two occasions to secure Bradley’s sides passage to the next round of the Reserve Cup.
Seven games, including the L1s & L3s Women’s Scottish Cup ties, were postponed as the low temperatures left hockey pitches unplayable on Saturday.
All four Titwood matches and the three matches taking place at Hutchesons’ Grammar School fell victim to frozen pitches. The L1s, L3s, L4s, M2s and M4s were all scheduled to be involved in respective cup games, whilst the M5s, M5s Development and L6s were to be involved West District league competitions.
All games will now be rescheduled, with dates and pushback times to be confirmed at a later date.
Photo credit: Rob Lindblade
