It’s the 2nd Round of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup this Sunday with 13 ties taking place. Bishopton, Cove Rangers, and Blackburn United have withdrawn from their matches, meaning Aberdeen, Celtic, and Dundee United receive a bye into the 3rd Round.
Dundee City v Kelty Hearts
Charlotte Street Pitches, Dundee – 13:00 KO
There are only five SWFL Division Two teams left in the competition, two of whom go head-to-head in this match. It means at least one SWFL Division Two side will reach the last 16 of the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.
Kelty have received two byes to get to this stage while Dundee City have had to navigate two tricky away ties. They defeated Westdyke 2-5 in the Preliminary Round and Stonehaven 2-3 in the 1st Round.
Both sides play in the SWFL Division Two East League with Kelty Hearts currently second and Dundee City sitting in fifth. They’ve not faced each other this season but with Kelty Hearts unbeaten (seven wins and one draw) in the league and winning the SWFL Division Two League Cup, they’ll perhaps be considered favourites to reach the next round.
Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale v Hawick United
Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh – 13:05 KO
One of the remaining SWFL Division Two teams, Hawick United, face a tricky prospect as they are away to SWPL 2 side, Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale (EUHV).
EUHV enter at this round as a Premier League side, while Hawick received a bye in the Preliminary Round before defeating East Kilbride, 1-3.
In terms of league form, Hawick currently sit eighth in the SWFL Division Two Central League having won four and lost six. They’ve also only won one match away from home. EUHV are sixth in SWPL 2, just above the relegation zone. They’re unbeaten in their last three matches though and are unbeaten at home.
East Fife v Westerlands
King George V Park, Leven – 12:30 KO
It’s an all SWFL Division One tie as SWFL Division 1 North leaders, East Fife, host Westerlands who are sixth in SWFL Division 2 South.
East Fife were awarded their Preliminary Round match against Gleniffer Thistle and were 5-0 winners against Boroughmuir Thistle in the 1st Round. Westerlands have had two away ties, defeating Falkirk 2-5 and then a narrow 4-5 win against Deveronvale.
This will be a fascinating match with both sides playing in different leagues. East Fife might be narrow favourites as they’re unbeaten with nine wins and one draw but Westerlands will be out to prove they deserve their place in the next round.
Hamilton Academical v Rangers
Bothwellhaugh Football Pitches, Hamilton – 15:30 KO
One of two all SWPL 1 ties this Sunday as seventh place Hamilton face fifth place Rangers.
As both of these teams enter at this stage, it’ll be based on league form to split the teams. Rangers come into this match after a big win over rivals Celtic on Sunday 3rd June. Before that match they’d lost their last five, so it was a big confidence boost for a young side who were perhaps starting to look over their shoulder. They’ll also take confidence from having beaten Hamilton 0-4 on Sunday 22nd April.
Despite that loss, Hamilton will be in a positive mood coming into this match. They jumped off bottom of the league with a 2-1 win over Stirling on May 27th and then narrowly lost 2-1 to Forfar Farmington a week later. That performance against Forfar in particular will have been pleasing and they’ll hope to carry their form into the cup.
Dunfermline Athletic v St Johnstone
The Fleet Grounds, Rosyth – 13:15 KO
It’s SWFL Division One North against SWPL 2 in this match as Dunfermline look to provide a shock of the round.
In the previous rounds, Dunfermline received a bye at the Preliminary stage and then were awarded their match against Pollok United after the game was abandoned.
St Johnstone enter at this round and will be tough opposition based on their current form. Their unbeaten in their last five league matches with two wins and three draws, leaving them third in the table. Dunfermline sit fourth in SWFL Division One North having won six, drawn one, and lost two.
Forfar Farmington v Glasgow City
Station Park, Forfar – 13:00 KO
The second all SWPL 1 tie is perhaps also the game of the round as fourth placed Forfar Farmington host top of the table, Glasgow City.
Since returning to the top division, Forfar Farmington have shown they more than merit their position. They reached the Semi-Final of the SWPL Cup and have won five of their last six matches. It’s the sort of form that has left them just two points behind third placed Celtic.
For Glasgow City, they’re continuing their march towards a record 12 titles in a row and remain unbeaten in the league. If they could win another Scottish Cup, it would also increase their record total to nine. However, Forfar stand in their way in the cup and they know this will be no easy task. The last meeting of the sides saw City come away 1-0 winners on April 22nd, but Forfar came incredibly close to equalising in the last minute of the match.
Inverness City v Spartans
Millburn Academy, Inverness – 12:30 KO
Former SWPL side, Inverness City, host SWPL 1 side Spartans in what could potentially be another shock, especially given the long journey Spartans have to make.
Spartans jump straight into the competition at this stage while Inverness received a bye in the Preliminary Round. Their 1st Round match saw them victorious over Raith Rovers, 5-7.
In their respective leagues, Spartans find themselves at the foot of the SWPL 1 table. Their on five points from 11 games but are just a point from safety with just under half the season remaining. Inverness are third in the SWFL Division One North League having won seven and lost three.
Stirling University v FC Kilmarnock
Little Kerse, Grangemouth – 14:15 KO
It’s an all SWPL tie as sixth placed Stirling University of SWPL 1 host second placed FC Kilmarnock of SWPL 2.
Stirling University come into this match with one eye over their shoulder on relegation. They’re three points from safety with two teams below them. However, having lost their last three matches, including to Hamilton Academical, they’re not out of trouble. They’ll be hoping the SSE Scottish Cup can provide a big confidence booster to their season.
On the other hand, FC Kilmarnock are having a fantastic season so far. As a newly promoted side to SWPL 2, it was perhaps expected that they would take some time to adjust. However, they’ve settled quickly and are second in the league. This will be another big test of how far they’ve come but they’ve not got anything to lose in this one.
Glasgow Girls v Hearts
Greenfield Football Centre, Glasgow – 16:00 KO
This is the only match of the 2nd Round to feature two SWPL 2 and will see Glasgow Girls at home to Hearts.
With both teams entering at this round, expectations will be based on league form. Glasgow Girls were one of the most inform teams in the league in recent months but they’ve not won in their last two matches. However, they’ll hope to return back to their previous performances including their 2-0 win over Hearts on May 9th.
Hearts are on a relatively poor run themselves. They’ve not won in their last four games with two loses and two draws. They’re seven points away from the relegation zone but they will want to start picking up points soon. They know this is a great chance to progress to the later stages of the cup competition and perhaps build up extra confidence.
Dee Ladies v Renfrew
Balgownie Playing Fields, Aberdeen – 14:00 KO
Another all SWFL Division One tie but different leagues with Dee Ladies playing in North and Renfrew playing in South.
In the earlier rounds, Dee Ladies received a bye through the Preliminary Round and defeated Dumbarton 3-4 away from home. Renfrew have played in both earlier rounds, defeating Bonnyrigg Rose 13-0 in the Preliminary Round and winning 3-2 against United Glasgow.
League form, Dee Ladies are 11th out of 12 teams in SWFL Division One North with four points from 10 games. Renfrew are 7th in SWFL Division Two South with 13 points from the same number of games.
Motherwell FC v Cumbernauld Colts
Braidhurst High School, Motherwell – 15:00 KO
It’s another interesting Scottish Cup tie with SWPL 2 leaders, Motherwell, hosting third placed SWFL Division One South, Cumbernauld Colts.
Motherwell, eight points ahead at the top of SWPL 2, will be the strong favourites for this match. They’ve scored 47 goals in their 11 games this season and have won nine of those matches. With it likely they’ll claim promotion to SWPL 1, they may see this competition as a chance to test themselves against some top sides.
This is also a great chance for Cumbernauld Colts to test themselves. They are currently third in their league but with two development sides above them, they’re first in line to gain promotion to SWPL 2. While Motherwell might not be there to greet them in 2019 (should they gain promotion), this will be a good opportunity for Cumbernauld to see the level they are currently at.
Edinburgh Caledonia v Queens Park
Saughton 3G, Edinburgh – 13:00 KO
One of the few remaining SWFL Division Two sides, Edinburgh Caledonia, host SWFL Division One South side, Queens Park.
To this point, Edinburgh Caledonia needed extra-time to see off Montrose in the Preliminary Round, 2-1, and were 0-5 winners against Murieston United in the 1st Round. Queens Park have also played in both rounds, winning 4-0 over GOC and then 2-0 over Morton.
In terms of league form, Edinburgh Caledonia are third from 12 teams in the SWFL Division Two East with 19 points from nine points. Queens Park are eighth in the league with 13 points from 10 games.
Thistle Weir v Hibernian
Lochinch Park, Glasgow – 16:00 KO
The reigning champions, Hibernian, are away to SWFL Division One South side, Thistle Weir.
In the earlier rounds, Thistle Weir defeated St Mirren 5-0 in the Preliminary Round and then won 4-1 against Airdrie in the 1st Round. Hibernian enter at this round.
League form, Thistle Weir are fourth in the league with 20 points from 10 games. They’re also in a battle with Cumbernauld Colts to possibly gain promotion to SWPL 2. They’ve got a tough task though with Hibernian unbeaten in all competitions this year and aiming to win their third Scottish Cup title in a row.
