Cumbernauld Colts take on Hibernian in Scottish Cup showdown

Although Premier title challengers Hibernian are favourites against First Division Colts, the Cumbernauld side will be hoping to upset the odds in the match, which kicks off at 7.45pm.

Colts prepared for the bid to reach the semi-finals by making it back to back 4-1 victories with a home win against Mill United at Broadwood Mill United last week.

This followed the previous week’s victory by the same score away to Boroughmuir Thistle at Meggetland.

Colts included their new signing, former Spartans player and Scotland under-19 international Louise Magilton.

In the first half, possession was dominated by the Colts but they had a solitary goal lead to show for this at the break. And what a goal this was.

Captain for the match Melisa Porter led by example and burst forward in the 38th minute from her right back position and, after a one-two with Frances Fern, slotted past stand-in ’keeper Nicola Doherty.

Centre half Doherty had to go between the sticks and take the place of the unfortunate Livingstone who twisted her knee midway through the first half.

And with no replacement keeper on the bench the outfield player had to step in.

Porter doubled the Colts’ advantage just before the hour mark when she met a Rebecca Young corner just on the six yard line and nodded her second goal home.

With the two goal advantage the Colts relaxed a little too much and let Mill back into the game, the visitors pulling a goal back just before the 70th minute following some mistakes by the home side.

Mill were buoyed by getting a goal back and it was sensed on the sidelines the next goal could be vitally important in deciding where the three points ended up.

Cumbernauld though were to regain their two goal advantage within two minutes of Mill scoring and thus deciding the match.

The third goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Mill, Fern finishing after Guthrie had played her in.

Fern got her second and the home side’s fourth with two minutes of the match remaining.

She ran on to a Stevenson clearance and slotted past Doherty as she came out to meet her.

After the match Colts manager Julie McSherry said: “We played well today, we were brave when we needed to be, both in possession and the tackle.

“Prior to Mill’s keeper, Angela Livingstone, going off injured we felt she would be a major decider in whether we left the stadium with all three points.

“Up until going off she’d done well for them and we hope her injury isn’t too bad and wish her a speedy recovery.

“We brought new signing Louise Magilton into the side and she did phenomenally well.

“From what we’ve seen of her so far we know she’ll be a major influence for the remainder of the season. She was unfortunate not to get a goal on her official debut.

“We must mention how well today’s captain Melissa Porter performed. It truly was a captain’s performance from her and she fully deserved her player of the match award.

“We now have to prepare for our Scottish Cup match on Friday evening.

“We welcome the Premier League’s Hibernian Ladies to Broadwood. It’ll be a tough ask to get a result against Hibernian, but it’s a game we’re relishing.”

Cumbernauld Colts: Stevenson, Guthrie, Ruth, Broadley, Porter, Wardlaw, McIntyre, Martin, Rebecca, Fern, Magilton. Subs: McSherry, Wilson, Hutchison, Kerr.

Mill United: Livingstone, Campbell, Catrell, Doherty, Fleming. Hinshelwood, Lyttle, Neil, O’eane, Paterson, Flannigan. Subs: Brannan, Gallagher.