Fife Falcons U20s booked their place in the Ice Hockey UK Under-20s National Final with a 4-2 victory over Billingham Stars U20s.

Garry Simpson scored twice for the Scottish champions, while man-of-the-match netminder Andrew Little turned away 25 of the 27 shots he faced.Andrew Little

The Falcons took the lead when Aaron Robertson sneaked the puck past Ben Gill on the doorstep at 15:51, while Simpson made it 2-0 at 17:47 as he fired the puck low from the slot.

Billingham had their best pressure of the game in the opening stages of the second period and Jack Emerson went close.

And it was no surprise when they reduced the arrears as Matthew Campbell’s shot from right side was fumbled by Little (27:40).Fife Billingham action

Fife quickly regained their two-goal lead when Liam Cassidy broke short-handed and fired low past Gill 85 seconds later (29:05).

Simpson grabbed his second of the game (36:42) pouncing on a mistake in the Billingham defence, but still the Stars refused to lie down and Emerson fired short side at the backdoor 74 seconds later (37:56).

There were no goals in the final period and Fife held firm to reach tomorrow’s final against either Sheffield Scimitars or Solways Sharks, who face-off at 7pm.

Falcons coach, Scott Plews, said: “We came up against a hard working Billingham side, which we expected.

“Our guys weren’t at their fluent best, but overall I am happy we have managed to play a certain type of game and come out with the win.”

Billingham coach, Ian Weedall, said: “I think, on our day, we could have turned them over.

“But credit Fife, they wanted the game and came out on top.”

Match action photo credit: Kevin Sloan.