Hillhead stole the semi-final show with a huge win over Edinburgh University

The finals of this season`s Scottish Cup are now decided – Watsonians will take on Edinburgh University in the women`s competition while Western Wildcats play Hillhead in the men`s.

Hillhead came to Glasgow Green as underdogs for their semi-final tie against third placed Edinburgh University, but it was the Glasgow side who progressed into the final of the Scottish Cup with a hard fought 3-2 win.

But Keith Joss`s charges had to do it the hard way. After only 14 minutes they found themselves two down, Declan Bradley opened with a deflection to be followed by a penalty corner conversion from Robbie Croll with a low strike.

And Hillhead looked destined for a comfortable exit from the competition

But just before the interval Fraser Ward pulled one back for the Glasgow side with a spot conversion that flew into the top corner of the net – game on!

Hillhead drew level at 2-2 in the third quarter with a penalty corner goal from Graeme Campbell. The Edinburgh students had two penalty corner opportunities to retake the lead, the first was saved by the Hillhead keeper while the next one cannoned off a post.

But in the closing seconds Hillhead took the lead for the first time in the contest with a belated open play strike from John Reid – and a place in the final.

Photo by Duncan Gray

The first women`s semi-final between Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University was a predictably tight contest which remained goalless until the final minute.

The students had the best of the chances with several penalty corner opportunities but the contest looked destined for a shoot-out. But in the final minute Edinburgh`s Ava Smith won the tie with a clinical finish into the far corner of the net.

The second round of semi-finals created no big surprises but certainly plenty of goals.

Western saw off Dunfermline Carnegie in some style with an eight goal victory. It took the Auchenhowie side only four minutes for Adam McKenzie to open the scoring from close range.

However, it took Western till just before the interval to double their tally with a low shot from Rob Harwood into the bottom corner.

The tie was effectively finished when Andrew McAllister scored following a switch left at a penalty corner.

Thereafter the goals flowed, Fraser Moran found the net with a direct strike at another set piece, Harwood burst into the circle and scored with a low shot, and then Moran added a sixth with a powerful slick at a penalty corner.

As the Fifers tired Western added two more through Hamish Galt and Harwood from the spot for his hat-trick.

Women`s Premiership leaders Watsonians were also in command with a 6-2 win over Wildcats.

In the first quarter the Edinburgh side were two up through Ellie Stott followed by a penalty corner conversion by Emily Dark when she fired home the rebound from her won initial penalty corner shot.

Wildcats pulled one back in the next quarter when Rona Stewart scored from a tight angle. But Watsonians` two goal advantage was restored before the interval with a direct strike from the top of the circle by Ellie Wilson.

The tie seemed sealed with a drive and shot by Sarah Jamieson for 4-1 but back came Wildcats with a strike by Alex Stuart.

Watsonians finally settled the occasion with further goals from Dark at another penalty corner and a touch in at the back post from Nikki Stobie for a convincing 6-2 score line.

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