Edinburgh University ‘Do the Double’.
Edinburgh University retained the Women’s Scottish Cup, as they secured a superb League and Cup double with a 2-1 with over Clydesdale Western.
Western were the only team to have beaten the dominant Edinburgh side this season, however they were unable to do so again despite taking the lead.
The early stages of the game were fairly evenly matched, with both sides created half-chances, however neither was too dominant.
Western then opened the scoring, shortly after the ten-minute mark. Lucy Lanigan took advantage of a high ball which came into the penalty area and scoring to make it 1-0.
The goal provided Western with a massive confidence boost, and they were looking impressive against an Edinburgh University side who were yet to show their best form.
Nevertheless, the champions would soon respond. After around 20 minutes had been played, Louise Campbell seized possession near the touchline, and drove forward to the edge of the penalty area.
She sent the ball into the box, and it eventually found Zara Malseed, who duly converted to make it 1-1 and level the game.
After the goal, the Edinburgh side started to improve. At the start of the second half they continued to push forward in search of a goal to send them into the lead. While they were clearly in the ascendancy, though, they were struggling to create too many clear-cut opportunities.
Campbell was a constant threat, with her pace ensuring the Western defence always had to be on alert.
A second goal for the champions soon came, resulting from a penalty corner. Campbell stopped the ball to perfectly set up Malseed, who rocketed the ball into the Western net to score her second of the afternoon.
The Edinburgh side continued to press for a third goal, as they looked to seal the game. Amy Brodie was keen to get her name on the scoresheet. Her effort was saved, and her cross on the rebound was unable to find any teammates.
Still, Western were unwilling to concede defeat without a fight, and they started to work their way back into the game. Heather Howie won a penalty corner, but it was sent wide.
While Laura Swanson then came close for the Edinburgh side, Western continued to press desperately for an equaliser as the game headed into the closing stages.
Their hopes were given a dent when Lucy Lanigan and Laura Mann were both given yellow cards within minutes of each other.
Edinburgh University sought to take advantage of their opponents’ last gasp attacks. Once again Campbell’s pace proved deadly as she broke forward on the counter-attack. She slotted the ball to Malseed, who was unable to hit the goal and become a hat-trick hero.
Western made once last attempt at an attack in the final few seconds of the game. They were too late though, and their dominant Edinburgh opponents secured a memorable, hard-fought win.
Full-Time Milne Craig Clydesdale Western 1-2 Edinburgh University.
Images from the match will appear here over the next few days
Match report courtesy of Scottish Hockey
