HEATHER CULLEN scored the only goal of the game as Loch Lomond progressed to the quarter-finals of the West District Cup with victory over Glasgow High/Kelvinside’s third XI on Sunday.

As is traditional in the cup, Loch Lomond fielded a squad of 16 players using members of both the first and second team squads.

Both teams gave their all in a good game, despite the low score, but stalwart defending from Loch Lomond ensured a clean sheet, and good link up play midway through the second half saw Jenna Gallacher pick up in midfield, run down the baseline and find Cullen with a cutback to slot home the winner.

Vikki Perry was named player of the match after a great team performance, with Sue Aikman and Heather Smith runners-up.

The quarter-finals will be played on January 26. Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring and to coach Anne McGregor.

READ MORE: Perry strikes late as Loch Lomond remain unbeaten

Squad: Heather Smith, Sue Aikman, Vikki Perry, Jane Neil, Zoe Canty, Kirsty Richardson, Jenna Gallacher, Vanesa Sabala, Eliza Ritchie, Eve Howard, Jenny Tripney, Heather Cullen, Molly Macken, Kim McCallion, Gillian Finch, Rosie McColgan.

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Sunday’s cup win came on the back of a fine day’s work for the Loch Lomond first team, who secured their first league win of the season after beating Uddingston 2 by the odd goal in three at Hermitage Academy.

Uddingston, like Loch Lomond, are newcomers to the West District’s first division, but unlike Loch Lomond, who had drawn their first four matches, the Lanarkshire side came in to Saturday’s match with two draws and four defeats from their opening six games.

The home team, looking to extend that unbeaten run, started brightly, with some enterprising play down the right, but the visitors were equal to the early foray into their defensive quarter.

This set the tone for the first half, with both sides looking to play expansive hockey but being well marshalled by the opposition’s defences, and the interval arrived with the scoresheet still blank.

Coach Rosie McColgan urged her charges to up their attacking efforts – but Uddingston clearly had the same instruction, and the Loch Lomond defence, expertly marshalled by opposition player of the match Sue Aikman, held firm.

And it was soon Loch Lomond’s turn to apply the pressure – and this time it paid off as McColgan drove along the baseline and cut the ball back to Loch Lomond’s player of the match, Vanesa Sabala, who reacted quickly after her first shot was blocked to calmly slot home the rebound.

The hosts continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a second goal, when a square ball at the top of the D found Kirsten Bruce, who released the ball to the back post for Molly Macken to finish.

But Uddingston didn’t lie down, and their forwards combined to test the home defence on several occasions before the pressure paid off as, despite a fine save by Heather Smith from the initial shot, the Uddingston forward finished clinically on the volley.

READ MORE: Loch Lomond first team hold Hillhead to 1-1 draw

Sensing a chance to snatch a point, Uddingston pressed forward late on, but Loch Lomond held on.

Thanks to Andy Richardson for umpiring and to Millions for sponsoring the club’s goalkeeper smocks.

Squad: Heather Smith, Sue Aikman, Lauren McCreadie, Vicki Perry, Zoe Canty, Fiona Thompson, Kirsten Bruce, Eliza Ritchie, Vanesa Sabala (capt), Sophia Louise, Heather Bruce, Molly Macken, Kim McCallion, Rosie McColgan.

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Loch Lomond’s second XI didn’t enjoy quite as fruitful an afternoon on Saturday as they fell to a 5-3 defeat at home to Ardrossan 2.

Last time the teams met, Loch Lomond won by a significant margin – but this was a completely different Ardrossan team, and Anne McGregor in goal made some fantastic saves before the visitors made the breakthrough with two goals in five minutes as the half-hour mark approached.

With great encouragement from captain Anna Currie, Loch Lomond started to take control, and good running by Jenna Gallacher and Ava Currie took the play to the Ardrossan circle, where Loch Lomond was awarded a short corner – and a well-rehearsed move saw Jane Neil find the bottom corner of the net with help from Rachael Peacock.

And Peacock was involved again two minutes later when her accurate strike from the top of the D made it 2-2.

But even better was still to come, as Eilidh Hill pounced on a loose ball to slot home, putting Loch Lomond 3-2 up at the break.

Loch Lomond kept the bulk of the play early in the second half, but though Eve Howard and Alanna Hill supported forward Gillian Finch in harrying the Ardrossan defence and setting up scoring opportunities, none were converted – and, against the run of play, Ardrossan scored to make it 3-3.

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A rejuvenated Ardrossan side found the net twice more in the next five minutes, and held firm despite Loch Lomond’s attempts to set up a grandstand finish late on.

Despite the loss, Loch Lomond II fought hard and played well, and can take forward many positives to their next match this Saturday.

For the second week in a row Jenna Gallacher was voted the opposition’s Loch Lomond player of the match – well done Jenna for her continued improvement.

Forwards Gillian Finch and Rachael Peacock were Loch Lomond’s own player of the match and runner-up respectively.

Thanks to Andy Richardson and Vanesa Sabala for umpiring the match.

Squad: Anne McGregor, Anna Currie, Anna English, Jane Neil, Kara Kerr, Eve Howard, Jenna Gallacher, Alanna Hill, Eilidh Hill, Gillian Finch, Elaine Wotherspoon, Rachael Peacock, Lucy MacRae, Amy Daveney, Ava Currie.

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This Saturday, November 16, both Loch Lomond teams are at home again, with the first XI hosting Clydesdale 4 and the seconds taking on Irvine.

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