Championship sides claim place in ScottishPower National League Cup final

Renfrew Ladies and Stirling University claimed a place in the ScottishPower National League Cup in blustery conditions for both semi-finals.

Renfrew Ladies made the long trip to Inverurie to face Loco Works at Harlaw Park, with a first-half double from Sinead Macleod putting the home side on the back foot, and Nicole Wilkie rounding off a 3-0 victory in the second half.

Stirling University and Bonnyrigg Rose served up a surprisingly entertaining match for the other semi-final, considering the gale force winds rattling around Poltonhall. With both sides trying to get the ball down and play, it would be Stirling who would get the breakthrough with around seven minutes left in the first half. The breakdown at a Bonnyrigg corner allowed a break which saw Rachel Hollywood unselfishly slip the ball through onto the onrushing Olivia McHarg who produced a cool finish inside the back post.

Both sides hit woodwork in the second half, Bonnyrigg’s equaliser denied by the wind, which carried a Jen Brown curling shot from wide left onto the upright.

Both sides will now meet in the final in Alloa in May.

In the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship, the rearranged tie between Falkirk and table toppers East Fife was postponed again as the Falkirk stadium had been closed for the high winds. Dryburgh did pick up a 4-0 win in the capital against Hutchison Vale with a brace for Aoife Gauld supplemented by goals from Laing and Scobie.

Several games were also postponed in the regional SWFL because of the weather, but Dunfermline Athletic emerged victorious from the top of the table clash in SWFL Central, beating Cumbernauld United 5-1.

Ross County took advantage of Elgin City’s match being called off to go clear at the top of SWFL North with a 4-1 at Stonehaven, while Arbroath beat Grampian 5-3. Giffnock Development climbed to second in SWFL South with a 6-1 win over Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Glenrothes Stroillers maintained their lead in SWFL East with a 6-0 win at Danderhall Miners. Bishopton pushed five points clear in SWFL West after beating Benburb while second-placed Rossvale Development lost 3-2 to Paisley’s Gleniffer Thistle.