Hockey: Christie boys dump CALA out of Cup

Michael Christie scored four as injury-hit Kelburne yesterday stayed on course for a Division One and Scottish Cup double.

His brother Jon also claimed two goals as the Division One pace-setters whipped CALA Edinburgh, who are second in Division Two, 12-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Peffermill.

Allan said: "We were beaten by the better team who punished our mistakes."

The coach believes his men will learn from the experience as they push for promotion from Division Two.

They are currently a point adrift of Stepps and Allan added: "Our target is promotion from Division Two but this cup run has been a bonus for us and lets the squad see what they have to do to make it to the top."

CALA went behind in 59 seconds, Jon Christie netting under protest from Edinburgh who claimed the ball had gone out. Four minutes later, Jon Christie doubled his tally following a slick, three-man move.

However, Edinburgh were rewarded for an encouraging spell of pressure when Scott Sutherland netted a penalty stroke after Michael Bremner had barged Carlos Escriba. Bremner was lucky to stay on the pitch.

CALA took heart and put the more experienced Kelburne players under pressure, forcing them into mistakes.

However, they always looked vulnerable at the back from Kelburne's darting raids and Michael Christie capitalised on poor marking with ten minutes left to slot home at the far post.

In the second half, the Edinburgh side lost nine unanswered goals. Goalkeeper Colin Johnstone was replaced by understudy Sean Hadfield with just over 15 minutes remaining and the scoreline at 7-1.

Kelburne player-coach Mark Ralph hopes to have several key players back in the line-up for the Scottish Cup final against Grove Menzieshill or Western next month.

Earlier, Olympic hopeful and Dundee Wanderers skipper Vikki Bunce netted three goals in the 9-0 demolition of GHK in the women's Scottish Cup semi-final.

And skipper Kim Christison claimed the winner as Grange Edinburgh Ladies beat Western 4-3 in the semi-final of the Scottish Plate.