7-2: M1s vs Glasgow Uni (Scottish Cup) - 06/03/22

With four wins on the bounce since the Christmas break, Hillhead shaped up against Glasgow Uni full of confidence – but also full of body aches with this being the third game in four days.

It was a glorious sunny day at GHK, and with the 2s also playing their cup game on adjacent pitch, there was a great buzz around the place. Playing a division above Glasgow Uni, Hillhead were favourites on paper going into the day – but we were very conscious of GU’s great form so far this season which sees them pushing the promotions places into the Premiership, having scored a very healthy number of goals, and having already knocked Premiership opposition out of the cup this season. The opportunity to reach the cup semi-final for the first time in their history was great for Hillhead, but there was no getting away from the fact this was to be a tough fixture. And this was immediately obvious the minute the game started….

GU came out very quickly, and easily had the run of play for the first ten minutes. They were sharp, quick and physical – whilst Hillhead laboured on the ball and continuously made mistakes with it. Hillhead managed to get a decent amount of possession high up in the GU half, but were caught out a number of times with some very quick attacking hockey from GU from which they were unlucky not to do better. Hillhead got ahead with a well worked goal finished off by Graeme Campbell, but then resorted to trying to go “top bins” for the rest of the quarter – with the ball going over the crossbar no fewer than four times.

Glasgow Uni got an equaliser mid-way through the second quarter – a little scrappy from Hillhead’s perspective, but thoroughly deserved. In fact is was Uni who then looked more likely to take the lead, and Hillhead continued to be ropey in possession all over the pitch.

Half-time was full of simple messages – and it seemed to work.

Hillhead began to attack more fluidly, finding lovely passing angles to the forwards who persevered and won a number of corners. It was from a corner where Hillhead eventually got back on top of the game – a powerful flick down the middle of the goal from Fraser Ward made it 2-1, but also brought relief and further confidence to the team. In fact, straight from GU’s pushback Hillhead intercepted the ball, and Matt Carder beat a couple of men before playing a sumptuous pass for big man here to clip the ball into the net for what some believe may have been his first goal of the season. Hillhead won another corner right on the stroke of the end of the third quarter which Fraser Ward again capitalised on with a powerful flick into the side of the goal. Suddenly the confidence was flowing and through Q4 Hillhead turned the screw with some lovely passing moves.

The game got a little bit messy and there were yellow cards for both sides, which opened up the game as both sides lost their shape. Fraser Ward was able to complete his hattrick from the penalty, before I got my second from a well worked (but accidental) long corner routine. Hillhead missed a couple more golden opportunities, before Yan Adams got Hillhead’s 7th with a hard strike from the top of the D. Glasgow Uni pulled a goal back to make it 7-2, before my match report writing duties were confirmed with a 10 minute yellow picked up for a robust tackle.

Hillhead were absolutely delighted to make it 5 wins from 5, and get to the cup semi-final. Best of luck to Glasgow Uni who were very dangerous opposition. Thanks to the umpires for giving up their Sunday so we can all enjoy our hockey.

MOM: Fraser – Hattrick and generally peerless display.

DOD & Match Report: Andrew Duke – 12 mins in the sin-bin, with his mother watching.

Grant gets a yellow…