Scottish Cup semi-finals shape up for an exciting weekend 

The penultimate stage of the Scottish Cup can throw up unexpected and exciting outcomes in a winner-take-all environment, and sometimes league form can go out the window.     

The men`s ties on Saturday look to be close encounters between four of the top five sides in the land, and the women`s on Sunday have interesting contests on the cards. 

Grange men are looking to complete the season`s treble – they already have the league title and have won the European play-off competition, so the Scottish Cup awaits to finish off the season in style. 

However, Western Wildcats lie in wait and have the raw talent to upset David Knipe`s charges – and they have done so in the past. 

Grange won the opening league clash 3-2, but the return at Auchenhowie ended 1-1, but most neutral observers considered that Western Wildcats gave the champions a bit of a run-around and perhaps should have left the field with the three points. 

Western Wildcats have youngsters of immense potential, especially up front in Rob Harwood, Joe and Andrew McConnell, Fraser Calder, Hamish Galt and Fraser Moran – all have found a pathway to the net this season. And there is Gavin Sommerville between the posts, arguably still one of the top keepers in the land – if not the best.  

However, if Western Wildcats coach Harry Dunlop had watched the performance of Grange against Grove Menzieshill at the Grand Finals, then he might have some causes for concern. 

As has already been said during the course of this season Grange, with only one reversal in league and cup duty, are clearly the most consistent side in the land, and despite the occasional setback they simply stick to their allotted task and mostly come out victorious. 

It will be interesting to see how Grove Menzieshill emerge from their European experience. The Taysiders take on Edinburgh University who have had a successful cup record in recent years. 

In the league the Dundonians took the opening fixture 4-1, but succumbed dramatically in the return losing 5-0, the student`s Ian Moodie scoring four. 

Much here may depend on the form of the Golden brothers, Cameron and Jamie, who were certainly not out of place in the prestigious EuroHockey League. 

13 May 2018 at the National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green. Scottish Hockey Play-off Final – Edinburgh University v Clydesdale Western – photo by Duncan Gray

In the women`s competition, pride of place must surely go to National League 2’s Erskine Stewarts Melville for reaching the penultimate stage, an excellent cup run and tremendous achievement. 

They face a challenge against a Dundee Wanderers` side that have had an impressive run of form since the winter shutdown. 

ESM finished runners-up in the lower tier, but in the play-offs fell 2-1 to Hillhead, then 4-1 to Glasgow University, to fail to reach National League 1.     

And they will have young strikers Charlotte Watson and Emily Dark to contend with, and not to mention Vikki Bunce. 

The encounter between Capital rivals Watsonians and league winners Edinburgh University will be a close one, but the latter have great cup pedigree. 

Sam Judge`s charges won both the league encounters 3-0 and then 2-1, but Watsonians under the coaching aegis of Keith Smith have had their moments in the sun, they finished a creditable fifth and took the top sides close on several occasions. 

The students will be disappointed at their European experience last weekend, finishing in last place in Rochester, that could serve as a downer or a stimulant to greater heights on Sunday – which will it be? 

 

The curtain falls on the Scottish Hockey domestic season at one of the highlights of Scotland’s sporting calendar – the Scottish Cup Finals!

Final tickets on sale now! Use these ticket links in the pages below to donate 50% of the ticket value to your club

Men’s Scottish Cup Finals

Women’s Scottish Cup Finals 

Or donate 50% of the ticket value to the Beatson Cancer Charity

Men’s Scottish Cup Finals

Women’s Scottish Cup Finals

 

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