Kirkcaldy Kestrels 6 Paisley Pirates 2
23/2/2003 at Fife Ice Arena
Scottish Cup Semi Final First Leg

Pirates produced their poorest performance of the season, to give themselves a mountain to climb in the second leg. Once again, Pirates fell foul of referee Graeme Clark but that was only part of the story as yet again a Pirates side failed to win in Kirkcaldy.

The writing was on the wall from the start, Mark McAndrew finding himself in acres of space to open the scoring in the 3rd minute. Pirates’ response was immediate, less than a minute later they were level, Myles Watson latching onto Stuart Miller’s long pass. The first period produced the best hockey of the game as both sides looked to score but it was two goals in 20 seconds in the 16th minute by Kestrels that effectively killed the game with former Paisley defenseman Scott Plews (on the powerplay) and Mark McGarry providing the finishing touches.

Things swiftly got worse for Pirates at the start of the second period, Fleming sending McKenzie clear to make it 4-1 with only 15 seconds on the clock. Kestrels continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges but failed to add to the score in the remainder of the period although they did come close on a late powerplay with Colin Nelson in the box for a prolonged stay after he took an additional 10 minute misconduct to add to an original 2 minute roughing minor.

Both sides traded powerplay opportunities at the start of the final period but it was a shorthanded chance for Gary Morris that came closest to adding to the score. Pirates did momentarily give themselves hope of a comeback when John Churchill forced home from close range in the 48th minute but that was as close as they were to get. Try as they did they couldn’t find another way by Colin Grubb, the former Pirate netminder producing point blank saves to keep out McMillan and Watson. Pirates again fell foul of Mr Clark in the 51st minute, Mark Steele receiving a 2+2+10 penalty for spearing. Kestrels didn’t capitalise on that advantage but they did net another powerplay marker in the 56th minute through another former Paisley man Paul Wood although officially the goal was credited to Scott McAndrew. Kestrels sealed a 4 goal first leg lead when David Preston found himself alone in the slot in the 58th minute.

Like the Spring Cup, no date has yet been arranged for the second leg Pirates will have to produce better than this performance if they want to qualify for another cup final at Murrayfield. Unlike the Spring Cup this tie is decided on aggregate.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Not awarded
SCORING:
Paisley: Churchill, Monson 1+0, Clark, McMillan, Miller 0+1
Kirkcaldy: McGarry, Preston 1+2, M. McAndrew, S. McAndrew, Plews 1+1, McKenzie 1+0, Fleming 0+2, Forsyth, Holmes, Mills 0+1
NETMINDING:
Paisley: Russell Dundee: Grubb (shots not recorded)
PENALTIES:
Paisley: C. Nelson, Steele 14 minutes, Churchill 4, Monson 2
Kirkcaldy: Grieg, Grubb, Plews 2