This Sunday sees the SSE Scottish Cup Semi-Finals take place at Ainslie Park with two superb derbies to look forward to.
Hearts v Hibernian
Kick-off: 12pm
The first game will see the SWPL Cup Winners Hibernian host their Edinburgh rivals Hearts.
Hearts are locked in an exciting SWPL 2 title race and come into the semi-final off the back of a disappointing defeat to Hamilton Academical in the league.
Their Scottish Cup run began with a difficult 3-0 win over SWFL Division Two South St Roch’s in the second round before facing their title rivals Hamilton in the Third round. But Hearts put in a stunning performance, outplaying Hamilton as they won 3-0.
In the Quarter-Finals, they faced an Edinburgh derby against Hutchison Vale. It was an absolutely epic game that ended 3-3 after full-time, sending the game into extra-time. Rachel Walkingshaw’s stunning free-kick was enough to send Hearts through to the Semi-Final.
After winning the 2016 SWPL Cup, Hibernian are looking to win the domestic double. It has been a hectic schedule for them over the past two weeks with their Champions League ties against Bayern Munich.
Hibernian’s Scottish Cup campaign began with an 11-0 win over Boroughmuir Thistle and then saw them face Renfrew in the Third round, beating them 19-0.
The Quarter-Final saw Hibs play Celtic in the tie of the round. Celtic led 1-0 at half-time, after outplaying Hibs in the first half but Abi Harrison’s hat-trick saw Hibs eventually win the game 3-1.
Glasgow Girls v Glasgow City
Kick-off: 3pm
The second Semi-Final sees Glasgow Girls play Glasgow City, a repeat of the SWPL Cup Quarter-Final. Whilst City won that game convincingly, Glasgow Girls have improved dramatically over the season to the stage they are now well and truly competing for the SWPL 2 title.
Glasgow Girls are level on points with Hearts and Hamilton as they fight for league glory with just two games remaining.
In the Second round, Glasgow Girls were drawn against Motherwell, one of the toughest possible draws against a side outside the SWPL. But, Glasgow Girls produced a strong performance to win 4-1 and progress to the Third round. There, they faced more SWFL opposition in the form of Dunfermline Athletic, a game they won 4-0.
The Quarter-Finals saw them draw against fellow SWPL 2 opposition Jeanfield Swifts, and in an absolutely epic match, Glasgow Girls won 5-3 to reach the Semi-Finals.
Glasgow City are looking to win their sixth Scottish Cup in a row and their ninth overall, as they also look to secure their historic tenth SWPL title in a row.
City’s Scottish Cup campaign began with a 26-0 win over East Kilbride, but in the Third round they faced SWPL 1 opposition in Rangers which they won 3-1.
They faced further SWPL 1 opposition in the Quarter-Finals against Stirling University who they beat 4-0 thanks to a Hayley Rosen inspired second half.
Reported by Tim Oliver
