Dryburgh Ladies traveled to The Penny Cars stadium, home of Airdrie FC, for the quarter final of the SWFL Divison 2 League Cup. The two sides had met at the same stage last season with the Dundee side running out 3-0 winners at Lochee Park.
Andy Melville made two changes to the side that were victorious over Buchan last time out, with Alix Barclay-Beatt and Keira Flynn coming into the starting lineup on what was a bitterly cold day in Lanarkshire.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides with a marginal offside decision denying Hope Ramage early on. Ramage was again involved moments later when good pressure from her led to an opportunity for Steffi Simson, the Airdrie keeper denying her the opening goal with a good save with her foot.
Burgh again went close when an excellent free kick was whipped in from Alana Ramage. Ellie Cook made a clever run around the back of the Airdrie defence but couldn’t keep her shot down.
Simson again tested the diamonds keeper after a knockdown from Laura Boag. The keeper this time pushing the forwards fierce effort behind for a corner. Airdrie only half cleared the resultant corner and Dryburgh worked it wide to Jodie Wilson on the right. Wilson’s cross was turned just inches wide by Simson as the Dundee side began to ramp up the pressure on the hosts.
Against the run of play Airdrie were almost ahead. A quick throw in caught the visitors out and a volley from 20 yards sailed just over Chantelle McKay’s crossbar.
The last 15 minutes of the first half was more even with ‘Burgh becoming a little frustrated at their failure to find the breakthrough. Alana Ramage tested the keeper with a free kick from 25 yards before a great ball from the left back was inches away from putting her sister Hope in for Burgh.
Airdrie has their best opportunity of the half just before the interval when their number 11 went clean through, luckily McKay was alert and done enough to put her off, with her shot going well wide in the end.
The second half began as the first had ended, with Dryburgh struggling to impose their game on the opposition, and their increasing frustrations culminated in the Diamonds taking the lead. A mix up at the back gave their forward a tap in, leaving the visitors an up hill task if they were to emulate last seasons semi final appearance.
Burgh almost replied instantly when Steffi Simson found herself clear of the Airdrie backline, but the angle was against her and her effort went just of the far post.
The Lochee Park side looked determined to be in the hat for the semi finals, and it was the skipper Laura Boag who was next to threaten Airdrie’s lead. Boag’s header from an Alana Ramage free kick going just wide.
Eventually ‘Burgh’s persistence paid off. Jodie Wilson found Alana Ramage on the left who played a fine ball across the box for sister Hope to finish from 6 yards to draw the visitors level at 1-1.
Substitute Chloe Sturrock went close to giving Dryburgh the lead. An excellent turn and cross from Simson on left created the opening for Sturrock, the Airdrie keeper again kept her side in the cup tie though, batting her effort away for a corner. The corner was cleared again by the keeper for yet another corner and when that corner came over Hope Ramage notched her second of the game, lashing home from close range, following a good old fashioned stramash in the home sides penalty area to put The Burgh 2-1 ahead.
Steffi Simson continued her personal battle with the Airdrie keeper, who was the home sides stand out player on the day, going close again twice before rounding off the scoring with Dryburgh’s third of the afternoon.
The prolific striker worked tirelessly throughout the game and got her reward when Erin Ross sent her clear and she finished with aplomb from just inside the box, to send the hardy band of travelling supporters into rapture.
Burgh now in total control had one last opportunity when great play from the back involving keeper McKay and substitute Aimee Sturrock almost had Ramage in for her hat trick, but she was thwarted by the diamonds defence.
Dryburgh ran out convincing winners in the end. They made it hard work for themselves having to come from behind. Missed opportunities also made it tough for The Burgh. They will be delighted however at the spirit they showed to come back, continuing their impressive unbeaten start to the season, with another fine victory on the road and a semi final to look forward to.
Player of the match: Alana Ramage.A composed performance from the Burgh ladies left back, who had a hand in two of the three Dryburgh goals.
Full time: Airdrie Ladies 1-3 Dryburgh Ladies
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