Tigers hold on to claim derby semi-final spot

DUNDEE Tigers booked their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals after beating Kirkcaldy Kestrels 7-6 over two matches at the weekend.

Saturday’s game at the Dundee Ice Arena saw the Tigers take a 5-3 advantage into the second leg across in Fife thanks to goals from Calum Henderson, Grant Reekie, Andy Henderson and a brace from Richy Fox. Robin Floyd, Conor Duncan and Calum Robertson were on target for the Fifers.

Sunday’s all-or-nothing return match had all of the intensity and drama you would expect of the occasion as the Taysiders progressed, despite losing 3-2 on the night.

Ross Bree and Paul Guilcher grabbed the all-important markers for the Tigers and Caly Robertson, Chad Smith and Garry Simpson were Kestrels’ scorers.

A Tigers spokeman said: “This is a fantastic result for us against a very talented young Fife outfit.

“We played a great game as a team on Saturday night and went in to the second leg with a slight cushion.

“We knew the Kestrels would come out flying and they pushed us from the very first shift.

“We matched their intensity, though, and had increased our advantage to three goals before the final session.

“The Kestrels upped the tempo in the final period and brought the deficit back to a single goal but some resolute defending and inspired goaltending by our Man of the Match Mark McGill gave us the result we needed.”

Tigers now face local rivals Dundee Comets in the semi-final.

Tigers centreman Richy Fox cuts inside Kestrels’ Adam Farmer as the Dundee side pick up a first-leg 5-3 win at the DIA.

Tigers netminder Mark McGill makes a great pad save against Kestrels to keep their involvement in the Scottish Cup alive.