Paisley Pirates 2 Kirkcaldy Kestrels 2
22/3/2003 at Lagoon Centre
Scottish National League

This match was originally listed as the Scottish Cup semi final second leg and the late change provided the main talking point of the evening. Kirkcaldy had been unhappy about the decision to reverse the first leg score to 0-0 and had intimated their withdrawal from the competition; this was accepted by the SIHA. So Pirates now go through to the Scottish Cup Final at Aberdeen on April 26th. At the time of writing, such are the vagaries of the Scottish League, no result is known as yet from the other semi final second leg played on Saturday night between Camperdown and Edinburgh with the first leg being a 3-3 tie in the capital.

The game itself got off to a flying start, Kestrels taking only 75 seconds to open the scoring, Mark McAndrew finding Ewan Heels unmarked in front. Pirates then enjoyed the only powerplay of the opening session but could do nothing with the man advantage. Back at even strength and Pirates did start to dominate, creating several half chances without success. Indeed, it was the visitors who again came closest to scoring on a breakaway chance, Ian Simpson firing off the post in the 12th minute. Pirates survived this let off and deservedly tied things up in the 16th minute when following a scramble round Colin Grubb’s net, Stuart Swiatek forced home from close range. Pirates continued to press and could have led at the first break but John Churchill fired wide when he found himself alone in front.

The second period started as the first had closed with Pirates pressing but although Churchill, Swiatek and James Clark all had chances, they couldn’t put Paisley in front. The best chances of the period didn’t arrive until the last couple of minutes, first Swiatek found himself alone in front but fired over and then Liam Greig evaded the home rearguard but John Russell was alert to the danger. So the period ended scoreless and unusual for a Pirates match, penalty free as well.

Both sides came out looking for the go ahead goal at the start of the final session but the end product didn’t match the enthusiasm. Finally as the period passed the midpoint an opportunity arose when Pirates found themselves back on the powerplay but although the breakthrough didn’t come on the man advantage, it was as good as a powerplay goal, only two seconds after Kestrels returned to full strength in the 51st minute, Clark’s determined wraparound effort put Pirates in front. The lead didn’t last long when, only 73 seconds later, Scott McKenzie forced home the equaliser form close range. Seconds later and only a point blank range save from Russell kept out Greig but with Pirates chasing shadows, they ended up shorthanded. Like Paisley’s first period chance, Kestrels came up empty with the extra man. Back at even strength again and it’s still frantic but again with few chances with Pirates having the only clear opportunity in the closing moments but it was Grubb’s turn to snuff out at point blank range from Clark.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paisley: John Russell Kirkcaldy: Colin Grubb
SCORING:
Paisley: Clark, Swiatek 1+0, Churchill, McMillan, G. Nelson 0+1
Kirkcaldy: Heels, McKenzie 1+0, Fleming, McAndrew 0+1
NETMINDING:
Paisley: Russell 42 shots/2 goals Kirkcaldy: Grubb 35 shots/2 goals
PENALTIES:
Paisley: Monson, Steele 2
Kirkcaldy: Greig, McAndrew, Plews 2