North of Scotland Schools Senior Girls Quarter Final

Lochaber High 2 The Nicolson Institute 5

The Nicolson girls travelled to Fort William to play this long anticipated (and often postponed) fixture. They decided to play with the fairly strong breeze and were immediately rewarded by a goal on 39 seconds when Louise Martin took advantage of a mix up in defence to slot home. This did little to settle early nerves and it was no surprise when Lochaber equalised from a long range effort eight minutes later.

The next ten minutes were pretty scrappy with the Nicolson struggling to get their passing game going. This may have been the result of a long lay off since their last competitive fixture but gradually they gained the upper hand against a resolute Lochaber team. Louise Stewart gave the girls the lead when she fired in a great free kick in the far corner and Christie Houston rattled the post with a long range effort. Hannah Macleod followed up to tap in the third goal before Louise Stewart hit the crossbar with another powerful free kick. The Nicolson were creating chances and dictating play at this stage.

In the second half Lochaber began on the offensive and the Nicolson had to defend against a determined side and a rising wind. However, they looked dangerous on the break and Louise Martin and Hannah Macleod combined well before Hannah produced a good finish to give the Nicolson a 4-1 lead. Eilidh Macinnes came on  to bolster the midfield before Alicia Macsween showed her pace with a run and shot which a hapless defender eventually turned  into her own net. Near the end Lochaber scored a consolation goal but the Nicolson girls deserved their win in a hard fought but fair contest. They now look forward to a home tie in the semi-finals.

THE NICOLSON TEAM: Sarah Gillies, Mairi Graham, Heather  Black, Louise Stewart, Annabel  Maclennan, Rhoda Maclennan, Christie Houston, Sammy Mitchell, Alicia Macsween, Hannah Macleod, Louise Martin.   Sub: Elidh Macinnes