WESTERN Grasshopper are just a few weeks away from the start of their centenary season. They kept themselves on course for their first league and cup double yesterday at the Dundee International Sports Complex but all is not well with the team at the moment.
They booked their place in Sunday's Cup final against MIM but the quality of their hockey at the moment suggests that they will struggle in the European Club Championship at the end of the month.
A repeat of the form they displayed against middle-of-the-table side Mimtec Wanderers in yesterday's semi-final will bring them only pain in Europe. Indeed over the 70 minutes Wanderers, had they possessed a more forceful striker, could easily have prevented the match from going into a penalty shoot-out.
In the early part of the contest Western did call the tune, but after Johnnie McMeekin shot them into the lead in 20 minutes, they appeared to lose some of their appetite for the game.
In doing so they gave the emphasis to Wanderers but with the Western goalkeeper Gordon Simpson having the answers to all the questions the Taysiders asked of him the match looked to be heading to a single goal triumph for Western.
Then with 12 minutes remaining it came to life. Andy Meredith came close to stretching Western's lead but his chip shot hit the crossbar and rebounded into play. His effort, however, did inspire Wanderers and almost immediately they were back on level terms from a goal by Stevie Caswell, after Gordon Shepherd had created the opening.
In the penalty shoot-out, the early advantage lay with Wanderers but with the Johnson brothers David and Allan failing for Wanderers, it was left to Calum McLeod to seal Western's 4-3 victory.
In the second semi-final, Hazlehead drew first blood against MIM with Mark Dundee giving them the lead after 14 minutes. MIM responded first through Gavin Markham and then a double by Jonathan Smyth to lead 3-1 at half-time. Paul Harridine made MIM's victory complete with the only goal of the second half.
Meanwhile, in Utrecht today Scotland's women play their final practice match against the Dutch Under-21s. On Saturday they ran out 3-2 victors against India with goals from Susan MacDonald, Rhona Simpson, and Fiona Pearson.
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