Hermes become the first team in the semi-finals of the Grill Cup after a 2-1 victory over city rivals Banks o’ Dee Juniors at Lochside Park. An early goal from James McMahon was complemented by Reece McKeown at the half hour mark, with Banks o’ Dee grabbing a goal though Sam Bavidge in the second half.

Despite intense fog reducing visibility to around 60 metres, referee Jordan Reid was satisfied that football could be played and Hermes wasted no time in getting ahead. Nicolas Wozniak played through McMahon on the left side of the box, with the striker firing between the legs of Banks o’ Dee ‘keeper Matthew Duncan and into the far right corner.

McKeown had two shots blocked by a steely Banks o’ Dee defense in the 32nd minute, but a third effort a moment later doubled Hermes’ lead. A corner fell to the edge of the box and McKeown was on hand to fire through the crowd and into the top corner.

The clearing fog in the second half worked in Banks o’ Dee’s favour, who halved the deficit in the 53rd minute. A long diagonal from Ebube Anyaegbunam was perfectly controlled by Bavidge, who curled his effort past Grant Corbett in the Hermes goal.

An uninspiring half progressed with little goalmouth efforts until the dying embers of the game, where Banks o’ Dee almost forced a penalty shootout. A dangerous free kick from Ross Gibbon was cleared into a dangerous Hermes counter, but an effort from Craig Mackie was blocked. After 98 minutes of play Hermes progressed, where they will wait to see the winners of Colony Park Vs Dyce, Culter Vs Bridge of Don Thistle and Stonehaven Vs Whitehills.