Glasgow City Pink lift 14s Scottish Challenge Cup

Match report: Glasgow City Pink 6 vs Dryburgh 2

Glasgow City Pink have lifted the 14s Scottish Challenge Cup after a convincing 6-2 victory over Dryburgh Athletic in the final at Ochilview.

Some quick, mature passing, quick feet and goals from across the team proved to be the difference between the sides in dry but chilly conditions in Stenhousemuir, while Dryburgh showed a spirited second half fightback amid some nervy moments from City to see out the game.

Although City showed some nice passing from the off, time on the ball was initially limited due to Dryburgh’s quick press, and it was the Dundee side who looked more likely in the opening passages, with their threat from the counter attack evident. Some incisive interventions by pacy City captain Kasey Burns and Oliwia Rzechula in the Glasgow City defence blocked a number of breaks, including down the right by winger Abi Halliday, and kept Sarah MacGillivery quiet up front.

But Glasgow City began to find a rhythm and work their way into the game, and after 17 minutes they opened up the Dryburgh defence and found Robyn Docherty at the back post who made no mistake to open up the scoring. At the other end, their keeper Orlaith Dunn was lively to command her area as Dryburgh’s Aayla O’Neil broke into the box.

Glasgow City grabbed a second on 25 minutes, when Docherty drove into the box and sent a hopeful ball across the penalty area for Aiobhe Tonner to latch on to, who showed great composure to slot it into bottom left corner giving Dryburgh keeper Sophia Riddell no chance.

Ridell was unlucky two minutes later as she did brilliantly to punch a free kick clear but it landed at the feet of Isla Russell, who gently lobbed it home.

With Dryburgh railing from the flurry of goals, City added a fourth shortly as they poured forward, with Hannah Clinton with the finish ahead of half time.

The second half continued in the same vein, with plenty of effort from Dryburgh but nerves beginning to show in front of an increasingly confident City midfield. Robyn Docherty added a fifth, slotting under Riddell after she had spilled a long shot into her path.

But instead of sitting comfortable with their lead, Glasgow City started lose some composure in the final stages to see out the win. Hannah Clinton needed a speaking to from the ref after needlessly giving away a foul out wide and then arguing with the official.

Then City gave away a penalty after MacGillivary was obstructed in the box, resulting in a yellow for Rzechula. Dryburgh’s Natasha Towell made no mistake from the spot but Glasgow restored the five-goal cushion straight away with a great shot from distance from Aiobhe Tonner.

But City were giving away some needless free kicks, and Darcie Greig picked up a booking for kicking the ball away.

Dryburgh added their second with such a free kick, a fantastic looping shot from over 20 yards by Rebecca Lonie to end the game 6-2.