Airdrie is setting for semi-finals thriller
The Excelsior stadium in Airdrie is set for two thrilling semi-finals in the Scottish Women’s Championship and League One Cup on Sunday. [13 November 2022]
At noon Glasgow side Rossvale, who put Livingston out in the quarter finals, face cup holders Dryburgh Athletic. The last league match between the sides was a close 1-0 victory to Rossvale in Glasgow, and Dryburgh will be keen to hold onto the club’s first major silverware.
Then at 4pm, Championship side Ayr United face the League One leaders FC Edinburgh in what is sure to be a fascinating contest, with both sides containing their respective league’s top scorers. Ayr forward Rachel Scott has scored nine goals in the Championship, while FC Edinburgh midfielder Emma Mitchell has scored ten goals in League One.
Rossvale narrowly missed out on promotion last year and will be looking to build on recent performances. Captain Lynne Jackson said: “It’s a great achievement for any club to reach a semi-final, but for a club’s only second season it’s even bigger. Rossvale Ladies have shown how strong we are as team. The team spirit is second to none.
“Now we need to show a desire to win, a desire to want it more than any Dryburgh player on that pitch.”
Dryburgh Athletic won last year’s final 1-0 against Montrose, who would go on to win promotion to the SWPL. Dryburgh captain Laura Boag said:
“It is a massive boost for everyone involved at the club to reach the semi-finals. As cup holders it means a huge amount to the girls to still be in the competition again at this late stage.
“We will have to raise our game and play without fear to reach the final. We are looking forward to embracing the occasion and giving it our very best effort.”
Ayr United put out League One high-flyers Westdyke in the quarter-finals, and will be hoping to do the same on Sunday.
Ayr United captain Jodie Barbour said: “It means so much to us to be in the semi-finals for the second year in a row. Last year was a devastating blow to us to lose 1-0 to Dryburgh, but we have the opportunity now to take it that one step further and we have the team to do so.
“To get to the final we need to do what we’ve been doing all season, working hard for each other and playing how we know we can play. Spirits and morale at training are second to none, so hopefully we can take that into the semis and get the win.”
FC Edinburgh are unbeaten this season and will be looking to prove they can compete at the highest level. Captain Danielle Forsyth said: “We are excited for Sunday and to be able to play in a semi-final shows how much hard work we have put in to get here as a team.
“We need to continue to deliver the performances, hard work and determination like we have been doing already, and just need that extra gear to take us through.”
Tickets for each game are priced £6 adults and £2 under 16s, and available via Airdreonians: Future Ticketing | Aidrieonians FC
