Gordon Amore sat dejected in the dugout at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre with a runners-up medal hanging from his neck. It was not what he wanted.
The 22-year-old captain had covered every inch of the pitch and given his all in a brave bid to lead Edinburgh University to glory in the Scottish Cup Final.
He even scored a key third goal which gave the students a chance of a comeback with 31 minutes remaining but opponents Grange scored 14 minutes from time for a 6-3 win.
Earlier, the students had been caught cold, losing two goals in the opening five minutes and three inside 20 minutes and the early blow proved decisive.
Amore could have played his last game for the students as competes his course in environmental geo-science in a few weeks time and then he has to make a decision.
And the skilful midfield player, who has also appeared for Scotland at international level, said: “We had the worst possible start on Saturday.
“Our plan was to take the game to Grange but two goals inside the first five minutes was not what we wanted or needed and you can’t lose two early goals to a team of the quality of Grange.
“However, we improved towards half-time and had the momentum going into the break.
“We battled back to 5-3 by scoring early in the second-half and we were in the game with a chance, but Grange scored again and that was it.
“The opening 20 minutes when they scored three goals was crucial.”
Sportingly, Amore added: “Grange deserved it. They have had a good season and they have a good side.”
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
