Single goal denies Edinburgh BUCS qualification

Despite clinging on for a draw in this return-leg BUCS championships fixture, Edinburgh University were sent out of the competition, losing 6-5 on aggregate.

Coming into the game, Edinburgh had high-hopes of overturning the one-goal deficit after a close-run game ended 5-4 in Sheffield. The home side's confidence was duly rewarded when a Fraser Hirst shot was deflected into goal after the visitors conceded a penalty corner.

Finding themselves a goal down so quickly, the visitors responded positively and began a period of concentrated pressure on the home defence which eventually gifted two penalty corners to the Hallam men.

Only a fantastic deflection off the line by the Edinburgh defence, followed by a great save from goalkeeper David Forrester kept the home side ahead.

As the first half progressed, Sheffield began to take control of the game with Edinburgh struggling to apply pressure to the opposition rearguard. After half an hour, Hallam worked the ball into the D and looked odds-on to score but the resultant shot glanced just wide of the post.

Edinburgh were forced to continue defending, with captain Simon Sampson putting in a man-of-the match performance from centre-back. But the home side were unable to cope with the pace and precision of the visitors' attacks and were grateful to end the half 1-0 up.

The second-half began at a very high tempo with Hallam seeing two goal-bound shots acrobatically saved by Forrester to deny them an equaliser.

However, Edinburgh's lead was cancelled out just nine minutes into the second half when the visitors neatly flicked in from a corner to grab the goal that would eventually send Sheffield through to the next round.

The remainder of the second half saw both teams create several opportunities with both 'keepers playing at the top of their game to keep the score level.

On 70 minutes, Hallam had their central midfielder sin-binned for a shoulder charge and Edinburgh looked to capitalise on the one-man advantage. But the visitors’ solid defence coupled with a lack of creativity from the home side saw opportunities limited.

As the game entered the final few minutes, Edinburgh pushed for the decisive goal, but a sin-binning for Sampson did the home side no favours.

With all momentum now lost from the game, the final moments wound down to see a delighted, if somewhat relieved Sheffield emerge victorious and progress to the next round.