Aspiring Girls
Devils 1-2 (0-1) Thunder
Western Thunder Aspiring Girls got their Brave Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Northern Devils at Strathallan. Thunder also won the bonus point in the shootout with a 1-0 win.
Thunder edged the opening play with Lucy MacMillan pulling the strings and Ava Graham looking menacing.
The team from the west had two penalty corner opportunities but narrowly missed the target both times and the quarter ended goalless.
The second quarter was a tight affair with no real chances presented for either team. Devils enjoyed good possession as the half came to an end but had no chances to strike at goal.
Devils enjoyed a solid third quarter and had two corner opportunities, the second of which was a rocket that whizzed just wide of the left post.
It was the final quarter when Thunder struck and it was MacMillan who struck the ball into the bottom left corner for a 1-0 lead.
Thunder’s lead doubled a short time later and it was Aideen McAuslane who found the net with a sublime spin and shot against the backboard.
Late in the game Devils pulled one back after as lovely move down the right found Zara Webb at the far ppost for a tap in to make it 2-1, but it would be Thunder who took the points.
A 1-0 win in the shootout saw the bonus point head to the west to round off a great start by Thunder Aspiring Girls.
Aspiring Boys
Devils 1-1(2-3) Thunder
Norther Devils and Western Thunder aspiring boys could not be separated on day one of the Brave Cup and shared the points with a 1-1 draw at Strathallan. A 3-2 win for Thunder in the shootout saw them take the bonus point.
The game burst into life from the first whistle and it was a first quarter that brought goals. First Andrew McGrane smashed home a drag flick for Thunder into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.
Then Devils came fighting back. Joshua Love was denied by great save at right post, but it only delayed the equaliser.
Alex Thomson battered the ball home for 1-1 as Devils levelled the scores.
The second quarter was feisty as the competitive clash continued, but not further goals were scored.
Thunder’s McGrane came closest but his drag flick was blocked on the line.
As half time approached a Devils penalty corner was saved low and prompted a scramble on the Thunder goal line, but the keeper managed to force the ball clear.
The third quarter was a close affair with neither side able to find the net, but it was the final quarter when the action kick started again.
It was Thunder who pushed for a winner and found an inspired Devils defence but they couldn’t find a winner and it ended all square. Thunder took the bonus point in the shootout with a 3-2 victory.
Emerging girls
Devils 1-5(1-2) Thunder
A stunning 5-1 victory for Western Thunder over Northern Devils emerging girls gave them the points on day one of the Brave Cup in Strathallan. A 2-1 win for Thunder in the shootout gave them the bonus point to top off the victory.
Thunder got off to a flying start and opened the scoring through a lovely team goal. The ball was swept home by Brodie McAnkrah after a slick three pass interchange. 1-0.
Quickly, Ava Heasley doubled Thunder’s lead with a low finish to make it 2-0 after some more precision build-up play.
Two further goals by Murrin Kilpatrick and Jess O’Toole gave Thunder a solid 4-0 lead at half time.
A different Devils came out for the second half and the team’s confidence grew swiftly. Thunder enjoyed good possession in phases but some good pressing by the Devils not only halted their attacks, but prompted dangerous counter attacks.
Early in the final quarter Devils got a deserved goal when a nice passing move through the Thunder defence, which was tucked away at the far post by Elise Morrison. 4-1.
The Devils fightback was quelled when Autumn Hunter Thunder scooped low past the goalkeeper for 5-1, which was how the contest ended.
Emerging boys
Devils 1-2 (2-3) Thunder
A 2-1 victory saw Western Thunder Emerging Boys take full points against Northern Devils, before winning the bonus point with a 3-2 shootout win.
A competitive opening quarter was edged by the Devils as they set out to attempt the first home victory of the day, but it was a quarter void of clean opportunities.
James Sheridan had a shot blocked as Thunder fashioned an opportunity through a counter down the left. It led to a penalty corner which Myles MacAuley launched towards the bottom corner but was denied by the player on the post.
Up the other end Andrew Cameron-Malloch’s corner for Devils fizzed just past right post.
In the third quarter Devils took the lead through a lovely goal to start the second half with a bang. It was very quickly nearly 2-0 but for a sensational save to stop a drag flick finding the net.
In the final quarter Oscar Lochrin came close to levelling but slipped a shot wide of the right post while one-on0one with the keeper.
The equaliser arrived for Thunder and it was Daniel Sutherland who scored courtesy of a drag flick into the top left corner.
Then came the late winner when Harry Watson struck for Thunder, forcing the ball over the line for a 2-1 win. The bonus point was then secured by Thunder in a 3-2 win.
