Hockey: Wildcats aiming to defy underdog status in cup final at Peffermill

THE last time Western Wildcats visited Peffermill on Arthur McKay Scottish Cup business a fortnight ago they gave semi-finalists Grove Menzieshill a seven-goal mauling and captain Andrew Sewnauth is hoping that lightning can strike twice and his charges can also see off Glynhill Kelburne in today's final at the same venue.

The Auchenhowie side have been plagued with indifferent results this season and finally finished a disappointing fifth in the table, consequently the Wildcats are very much the underdogs for the occasion.

"Inconsistency has been our Achilles heel this season, but we are confident that when we play well not many teams will be able to cope with us," maintained Sewnauth. "If we play to our strengths, I'm sure we can bring the Scottish Cup back to Auchenhowie. Our attacking threat is immense and not many people can live with us going forward at times."

Newly-crowned league winners Kelburne still have a sizeable injury list to contend with, but there is a possibility that striker Alan Forsyth could make a brief appearance.

"We are likely to be on similar lines to the last few weeks, the injured will have to look on from the sidelines, but it is something we have had to cope with all season, so we just need to get on with it," said manager Harry Coles.

The two sides played out a rehearsal on Tuesday evening in the final league encounter of the season. Although the Paisley side came out on top with a 6-2 win, there was little at stake and it looked as if both sides were keeping their powder dry for the big game at Peffermill.

An all-Tayside encounter is a first for Peffermill in the women's final as holders Grove take on city rivals VWS Dundee Wanderers. It has been a remarkable season to date for Wanderers, they retained the indoor title, won promotion in their European indoor baptism and have made the cup final for the first time in the club's history.

Wanderers may be novices on this stage, but coach Iain Strachan is far from pessimistic. "Grove are always favourites, but that doesn't worry us at all. It is all about how we play that will determine the result."

Pundits will remark that much will depend on how much freedom is given to Wanderers' playmaker Vikki Bunce. The Scottish and GB internationalist has popped in a staggering 30 goals in 17 league outings. It is far from a one-woman show, though, for Julie Bryce, teenager Heather Elder and Amy Rowan have all pitched in with goals on a regular basis.

"Our strength is the ability to score goals, and if we can keep it tight at the back, then there is a chance for us to write a bit of club history - and that will spur us on," said Strachan.

Grove have been over this course many times before, and this would be their seventh success in the last decade.Scoring goals in their forte with 83 strikes in the league campaign - Ali Bell, Ailsa Wyllie, Nikki Kidd and Louise Carroll from set pieces doing most of the damage.

It is an all-Capital affair in the women's plate final between Grange EL and Edinburgh University while AMN Hillhead play Alpha Data Carnegie in the men's competition.