The Arthur McKay Scottish Cup and Plate Finals reach their conclusions at the weekend, with four finals taking place on Saturday 9 April at Peffermill, Edinburgh.
In the men’s Cup Final, newly crowned league champions Glynhill Hotel Kelburne will be aiming to retain the trophy when they take on Western Wildcats, last winners of the Scottish Cup in 2007. The Paisley outfit will enter the final as favourites, particularly following their two wins over the Wildcats in National League Division 1 this season.
The Christie brothers, Michael and Johnny, have bagged over a half century of goals for Kelburne this season already, and they will pose the most potent threat to player coach Kristopher Kane’s men. With the added penalty corner expertise of Mark Ralph available to the Buddies too, it could be a busy afternoon for the Wildcats’ keeper.
However, the Wildcats will not be phased with the experience of Scotland veteran Vishal Marwaha, Dougie Simpson, and Andrew Sewnauth in their ranks. With recent Scotland call-up Steven Percy in midfield too, the Auchenhowie men will feel confident of trying to cause an upset and take the Scottish Cup for the first time in four years.
In the women’s Scottish Cup, Grove Menzieshill and VWS Dundee Wanderers will clash in an all-Tayside final affair following their respective semi-final wins over Milne Craig Clydesdale Western and GHK Ladies. Wanderers will be looking to stop their rivals claiming a third successive Scottish Cup win in a row, but with Grove Menzieshill recently having completed an unbeaten season as champions of National League Division 1, Iain Strachan’s side will have their work cut out.
Wanderers will again be looking to their captain Vikki Bunce to set the standard, with the 28 year-old in prolific form throughout the whole of the domestic season. However, Grove Menzieshill have plenty arsenal in their camp, including Scotland regulars Linda Clement, Kat Cameron, Nikki Kidd and Leigh Fawcett, and they start favourites to re-claim the trophy and make it a domestic league and cup double.
At the start of the day’s proceedings at Peffermill, Grange EL and Edinburgh University Ladies meet in an all-Capital contest in the Women’s Plate Final. The University reached the final courtesy of victories over GHK (1.3-1.1), St.Andrew’s University (3-0), Stirling Wanderers (5-1) and Granite City Wanderers (2-0), whilst the Grange Ladies find themselves in the final following successes over Glasgow Accies (3-2), Glynhill Hotel Kelburne (3-1), Erskine Stewart’s Melville (5-0), and Western Wildcats (4-3).
National League Division 2 side Alpha Data Carnegie will be hoping that they can raise their game when they tackle AMN Hillhead of Division 1 in the men’s Plate Final at mid-day. The Fifers have recorded triumphs over Stirling Wanderers (5-2), Erskine Stewart’s Melville (4-3), and Granite City Wanderers (3-1) to reach the final, whereas Hillhead have taken the scalps of Giffnock (11-1), Harris Academy FP (3-0), and St. Andrew’s University (11-1).
Tickets are available on the gate at Peffermill priced at £5 for Adults. U16s and Senior Citizens are admitted for free.
Match Schedule:
10.00 Scottish Plate Final (W)
Grange EL vs. Edinburgh University Ladies
12.00 Scottish Plate Final (M)
AMN Hillhead vs. Alpha Data Carnegie
14.00 Scottish Cup Final (W)
VWS Dundee Wanderers vs. Grove Menzieshill
16.00 Scottish Cup Final (M)
Glynhill Hotel Kelburne vs. Western Wildcats
Date:
Saturday 9 April 2011
Location:
National Hockey Academy Peffermill
Peffermill Playing Fields
University of Edinburgh
42 Peffermill Road
Edinburgh EH16 5LL
Source: Scottish Hockey