Viking South Utsire survived the first-leg scare to progress safely through the fourth round of the Xpert Ladies Cup this weekend. A week earlier the Blood Eagles trailed to a 21st-minute strike from captain Loesje Kromkamp at Division 5:20's Gibbo Rovers and were reliant on an own-goal from her unfortunate defensive colleague Aleen Winchel five minutes later to bring a draw and an away goal back to Ragnar Rock.

Chronically short of funds and preparation time this weekend, Viking were equally fortunate in the second leg to be able to fall back on the old guard, with veteran Austrheim sisters Asta (35) and Birgit (34) twice combining within the opening 22 minutes for Asta to score each time. Two of the youngest members of the side, Ylva and Anneke Hovland, were laid low with injury in the closing stages, but again soon-to-retire midfield star Asta popped up with two minutes to play to complete a superb hat-trick from Kristin Hovland's cross. It sends the Utsirans through to a fifth-round clash with gnomically-named Division 4k outfit Albion.

Between those two Cup outings was a welcome return to winning ways in Division 3d. Putting two straight defeats behind them, Viking produced a hugely improved performance on Tuesday to thrash 2nd-placed Deportivo Cruz Azul on Utsira, with Asta setting up the first two goals to begin a remarkable week. The first saw her tee up a freekick for teenage colleague Yasmine Klovning in the early stages, the second came deep into the second half when she laid on a close-range strike from Emilie Klovning. Lead striker Emilie then sprinted onto a Kristin Hovland through-ball to complete the surprisingly convincing win and bring VSU back to within two points of Deportivo. With the halfway point now reached in the season, this coming Tuesday, however, sees the pair do battle again immediately.