Inverness II are Mowi WCA Challenge Cup victors

The 2024 edition of the Mowi WCA Cup Finals Day took place on 7th September at The Eilan, Newtonmore. With the senior final taking place later in the afternoon, the first order of the day was the Mowi WCA Challenge Cup with Inverness II and Badenoch II contesting the final. Inverness had defeated Glasgow Mid Argyll 9-0 in the Semi-Finals while Badenoch had eliminated table topping Strathglass 4-0, but with just one point separating the sides going into the final, there was a sense that we would be in for a very close encounter.

A large crowd had gathered, basking in the glorious September sunshine, as referee Craig Scott threw the ball up to start the game. It wasn’t long before the crowd were treated to the opening goal, Inverness’ Isla McNeil dropping a long ball into Grace Bremner who found a cut back to Katie Simpson on the left flank, her well placed strike across goal found the bottom right corner leaving Thea Stronach in goal little chance.

Five minutes later and Inverness doubled their lead, and it was a case of creator turned scorer as Bremner latched onto a long ball from Isla McNeil, outmuscling her marker and cracking a half swing from 18 yards out – the power proving too much for the Badenoch number one.

With the city side two goals up in ten minutes, there were fears that the game could get away from Badenoch. Those fears, however, were quelled on the 25-minute mark as Chloe Baikie hit a masterful ball into the right channel where it was picked up by Lexi Farquhar – going into the game she had 38 goals, so it was little surprise that her outstanding strike flew into the far corner. Soon after, Craig Scott blew the half-time whistle with Inverness in the lead, but Badenoch growing into the match and showing fighting spirit.

Anyone in the queue for half-time refreshments or springing around on the bouncy castle would have missed Inverness’ third goal, as it came straight from the throw up. Inverness 12 getting the stick in well in the centre of the park, allowing top scorer Kamryn Hughes to run onto the ball. She dribbled 15 yards before hitting a looping strike that skipped past Stronach in net after taking a cruel bounce.

Badenoch continued to battle to get back into the game, and there were chances for both sides throughout the second half, however, the scores would stay the same and it would be Inverness who banished the memories of their 2023 final defeat with an impressive 3-1 victory.

For Badenoch, it was a disappointing day, however, they can take solace in the fact that despite their second team being just two years old, they are competing in cup finals. Furthermore, Badenoch player Chloe Baikie was awarded the PeterGow.co.uk Player of the Match Award.

For Inverness, a well-deserved victory and it would be Carolann Innes who lifted the trophy to the acclaim of the travelling supporters. Afterwards, goalkeeper Nyah Campbell said: “It feels so good, last year we weren’t able to win but this year we got over the line, everyone did amazing we are so proud!”