Dazzling Docherty bags a hat-trick trick as Glasgow City lift the SWF U14s Challenge Cup

Glasgow City U14 Pinks put on a show as they defeated a spirited Dryburgh Athletic 6-2 in the Scottish Women’s Football Youth Challenge Cup Final at Ochilview Park.

A Robyn Docherty hat-trick and Aiobhe Tonner double helped City on their way as they swept aside a depleted Dryburgh squad in front of a packed main stand.

Natasha Towell and Rebecca Lonie pulled two back for the Glasgow side in the second half but their efforts were in vain as City’s five-goal insurance proved too much.

It was a fast-paced, end-to-end start with both teams utilising the width of the pitch to find space in behind, though neither goalkeeper was tested in the early stages.

Glasgow City’s Tonner had an opportunity inside two minutes but her volley direct from a corner went over the crossbar. Moments later, Dryburgh had their first venture forward via the pace of Abi Halliday, but City centre half Oliwia Rzechula dropped in to shield the ball out for a goal kick.

In the 19th minute, Glasgow City opened the scoring through striker Docherty’s first of the morning. She picked up the ball just inside the box following a throw-in down City’s right flank, before expertly chipping her shot over Dryburgh’s keeper Sophia Riddell and into the far bottom corner to put her side in front.

Six minutes later, Tonner doubled City’s lead when the ball broke favourably to her inside the box. Docherty’s shot from 12-yards was saved by Riddell but she could only parry the ball into the path of the onrushing Tonner who coolly slotted home.

Glasgow City continued to add to their quickfire goals less than three minutes later. A dubious free kick was awarded and Riddell palmed away the resulting effort but it fell to Isla Russell who remained calm to dink it into the net.

City added a fourth just before half-time when Docherty struck again. The excellent Tonner, who had been in the thick of the action all half, seen her looping shot saved, but again City got a favourable break of the ball as it fell to Docherty who finished well to give her side a commanding lead heading into the break.

Glasgow City continued where they left off after half-time when Docherty had the simple task of adding a fifth and completing her hat-trick. Riddell unluckily spilt the ball following a powerful Darcie Greig effort from 20-yards and Docherty was on hand to react and slot home from close range.

Despite the score line, and to their credit, Dryburgh didn’t let their heads drop and got what their fight and character deserved when they broke into the box and were awarded a penalty. Natasha Towell bravely stepped up and expertly dispatched her spot kick into the bottom left corner beyond the grasp of Orlaith Dunn.

Moments later though, City restored their five-goal advantage. Tonner let fly from 20-yards and her sensational effort evaded the punch of Riddell to find its way over the line.

However, with a minute to go, Dryburgh pipped City in the ‘goal of the game’ competition when Lonie’s tremendous free kick from 40-odd yards flew beyond Dunn high into the net, sending the Dryburgh supporters into raptures.

Ultimately, though, it was merely a consolation as Glasgow City ran out deserved and emphatic 6-2 winners in the SWF U14s Challenge Cup Final.

Dryburgh Athletic Player of the Match: Natasha Towell

Despite being 5-0 down at the time, she bravely stepped up to take the penalty which she rifled into the bottom corner without hesitation in front of a noisy Glasgow City support. It gave her team a lift going into the final minutes of the match and ensured the score was far more respectable.

Glasgow City Pink Player of the Match: Robyn Docherty

This accolade really could’ve gone to anyone but it’s hard to see past Docherty who bagged an emphatic hat-trick in the cup final. Her first was a terrific finessed effort over the goalkeeper and then she was in the right place at the right time to clean up rebounds and help her team to a very comfortable victory.

Dryburgh Athletic Magic Moment: Rebecca Lonie’s free kick

The final goal of the game was by far the best as Lonie hit an audacious free kick from very long range to stun the crowd and ensure the depleted Dryburgh team ended the game with the goals their effort deserved.

Glasgow City: Robyn Docherty’s opener

The first of Docherty’s three goals on 19 minutes was easily her best as she lobbed the keeper into the bottom corner. After a cagey opening period, it settled City’s cup final nerves and opened the floodgates for five more goals to follow.