Grange 1XI vs Hillhead 1XI

Saturday felt strange without a game. Having to sit and watch Scotland throw away their only chance of any points in the Six Nations was probably the focus of the day!

But it was Scottish Cup weekend which meant a Sunday tie through in Glasgow against a feisty Hillhead side.

We had played them previously this season and won 4-0 but with Cup games everyone knows form goes out of the window and it’s about what team turns up on the day!

Having only slightly been disrupted by Celtic fans we started the game really well.

Within the first 10 minutes we had a number of good chances and scored a goal. The ball fired at goal keeper saves and deflects right to Frank Ryan who puts a cross into the back post – everyone misses the ball and it smacks off the back board. 1-0.

We continued to pressure our opponent with good midfield runs opening up large gaps in a slow off the mark Hillhead. We secured a second this time through Todd Harmsworth.

After 20 minutes we went into cruise mode, lost a bit of shape, and in attack committed too many men forward leaving ourselves susceptible to Hillhead’s quick counter attack. They dominated the rest of the first half and with two well worked short corners pulled it back to 2-2. Their tails were up, they were aggressive and wanted this game more than us at that point.

Some rousing words from David Knipe at half time lifted us, we started strongly competing for every ball and generally digging into the game.

We were rewarded for our bullish play with two goals from Hamish Imrie.

The first came from a break away, a slack pass from the Hillhead midfield allowed Arin Doig to run the ball, uncontested, down the middle of the field creating a two on one and letting Hamish hit home in the bottom left hand corner.

We mounted pressure on Hillhead creating chances but with little outcomes, a couple of our shorts were wayward but again Hamish was on hand to deliver a blow to Hillhead’s hopes. This time, a snap shot from the top right of the D into the right bottom corner, the goalie had no chance to set and the ball whizzed past his left foot.

4-2 but we weren’t comfortable. We went down to 10 for 5 minutes for what was deemed a deliberate foot and this allowed Hillhead back in the game. They pressed us and got on top for about 15 minutes, creating 2 corners – one brilliantly saved by Sean. Their pressure culminated in a penalty flick with 7 to go which was slotted home.

We fought at the end to hold onto the tie and secured our place in the semi final.

Our opponents for the next battle have yet to be determined but with our squad playing well, and being very fit we have a great opportunity for more cup success this year.

Roll on Saturday and a visit from our old enemy the purple robes. John McClusky and Hamish Imrie will be back from international duty and we will be looking to build on our good form and secure 2nd place going into the playoffs.

In social news – we are hosting a race night on 14 March to fund raise for our upcoming Euro Trophy trip to Dublin and your support would be great. Get in touch with any member of the 1st team squad or management team to buy a horse or sponsor a race!