Clydesdale and Watsonians again contest the women`s indoor final

As per the last few years it is Clydesdale Western and Watsonians that will contest next weekend`s GALA final, but for the former it was a close call.

The first semi-final went by the form book with a comfortable four goal win for Watsonians over Inverleith in an all-Edinburgh confrontation. The champions were two up at the interval through Millie Berndes-Cade and a penalty corner strike by Emily Dark. A further two goals flowed in the second half, Millie Skidmore found the net from open play and Dark again from a set piece.

However, the second tie was a nerve-tingler and it was only in the final minutes that Kayleigh Justice scored the winner for Clydesdale in a narrow 5-4 win over a plucky Wildcats outfit.

Player/coach Fiona Semple opened for Clydesdale but thereafter Wildcats took control with goals from Lucy Macmillan, Corrie Hay and a penalty corner from Alex Stuart for a 3-1 lead.   But before the interval Ava Graham pulled one back.   Clydesdale looked to have galloped to victory with two goals from Anna Hoolaghan and Sophie Hinds for a 4-3 lead but back came the Cats with a late strike from Rachel Osborne.    But the denouement belonged to Kayleigh Justice who finally grabbed a final place for Clydesdale.    It was a cracking game that could have gone either way.

Dundee Wanderers claimed fifth place after seeing off GHK 5-3. They were all individual scorers except a double from Wanderers schoolgirl Lucie Johnston.

Grange are consigned to second tier competition next season after going down 3-2 to Hillhead, but the latter will still have to contend with another play-off next weekend.  The Glasgow side roared into a three goal half-time lead, the scorers were Jenny Campbell, Ciara Goddard and Alex Burdon.   Grange revived in the second half and Lucy Pillinger and Emma Davie replied but it proved not enough to save the Edinburgh side.

The first pool match of the day produced a somewhat unexpected result – Dundee Wanderers, pressing to avoid the relegation play-offs, beat previously unbeaten Clydesdale Western 2-1…and duly avoided the play-offs.

A penalty corner from Lucy Williamson gave Clydesdale a first-half lead…and normal service looked in order.  But undaunted Wanderers dug in and Sam Sangster buried a penalty corner followed by the winner from schoolgirl Lucie Johnston.    Not in the script perhaps but that was the reality. Imogen Brown in the Wanderers was outstanding.

That now meant that Hillhead had to beat Inverleith by four goals or more to avoid bottom spot in the pool…in the end they had to be satisfied with a 2-2 draw.  Elerie Jones gave the Edinburgh side a half-time lead from the spot.  Then goals from Alex Burdon and Jenny Campbell put Hillhead 2-1 up before Steph Bain levelled for Inverleith.   The relegation play-off later in the day was the result.

Watsonians confirmed top spot with a 2-1 win over GHK and effectively ruined the latter`s chances of a semi-final spot.  Carly Bisset put GHK in front but Ellie Wilson levelled for the champions and Caitlin Hart got the winner in the final minutes.

Wildcats duly booked their semi-final slot with a 4-2 win over Grange, and that courtesy of a hat-trick from Kate Holmes, Rachel Osborne got the other while Hannah Coull and Freya Philip got the replies.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top