A place in the Scottish Power National Cup Final was up for grabs when Dryburgh Athletic Women travelled to take on Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on Sunday.
This was set up to be an exciting contest, despite blustery conditions, with both sides enjoying a 3-1 victory each in their league encounters earlier this season. Stenny however went in slight favourites with home advantage, something afforded over the last two seasons in this competition with neutral venues being used for semi finals in previous years.
Stenny had also just secured a top six finish in the SWF Championship and came into the game on a good run of form. Dryburgh had history on their side though, with 3 previous appearances in the final of this competition over the past 4 seasons, and despite indifferent form in the league had still continued to produce some stand out performances since the turn of the year.
Dryburgh who were boosted by the return of Brooklynn Kelly and Katy West from injury and Jess Christie from illness made two changes from the home draw with Morton a fortnight ago, with Kelly and Christie coming into to start.
The home side started the better of the two teams and pinned Dryburgh back early on with the wind at their backs. Despite having the lions share of possession Stenny never really created any clear openings in the early stages to test Zoe MacLean. The Burgh keeper however had to be on her toes to field a couple of efforts from range as the half progressed and did well to deal with these in the conditions.
Dryburgh began to grow into the game and get their foot on the ball and looked a real threat on the break. They however were almost behind on 35 minutes when Amilie Martindale done just enough to flick a heal at a goal bound effort and redirect it on to the cross bar.
With the game turning into an entertaining end-to-end affair, it was Dryburgh who took the lead on 38 minutes. Some neat play in midfield between Fraser and Robbie created the opportunity for Fraser to play in Scobie who had timed her run well and finished the move expertly with her left foot across the keeper from just inside the box.
The second half started fairly evenly until Dryburgh doubled their lead on 53 minutes. Rebecca Lonie played a ball in behind the Stenny back line for Scobie to chase. The forward showed a real turn of pace to beat Vickerman to the ball before taking it around Johnston in the Stenny goal and taping home from close range for her and Dryburgh’s second of the afternoon.
Dryburgh were now in the ascendancy and just a few minutes later the home side could only half clear a Rachel Robbie corner and when Clara Laing latched onto the ball inside the Stenny box she was bundled over with the referee awarding the visitors a penalty without hesitation.
Burgh skipper Robbie stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to further extend her sides advantage.
The visitors were now playing with a real confidence and appeared to have one foot in the final, with the home side looking shell shocked by the two quick fire goals that had left them with a mountain to climb. A lapse at the back though for Dryburgh gave Stenny hope when McDonald finished from close range with 23 minutes left to play.
The goal sparked new life into Stenny and as Dryburgh attempted to regain some control in the match again some loose play allowed Stenny skipper Thomson to score from the edge of the area on 74 minutes.
This set up a thrilling end to the semi final with Stenny committing players forward in the attempt to force extra time. Dryburgh to their credit stood firm however and managed to limit the Ochilview side to shots from distance whilst still carrying a threat themselves on the break as they saw the game out to secure their place in May’s showpiece final.
It was a fine Dryburgh away performance, particularly in the first 65 minutes, where they had to soak up some pressure at times. The Dundee side defended their box well and showed real bravery on the ball. Credit must also go to Stenhousemuir for the way they come back into the game but it was Dryburgh who in the end deservedly advanced following their 3rd successive away tie in this seasons National Cup. They will now meet Bonnyrigg Rose at Alloa on May 24.
Final score-
Stenhousemuir 2-3 Dryburgh Athletic
POTM - Rebecca Scobie - The Burgh forward never stopped running for the team and was rewarded with 2 fine goals.
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