Edinburgh's 2nds glide to victory over Strathclyde

Edinburgh's hockey 2nds won comfortably against Strathclyde’s first team with Joe Gray scoring twice to separate the teams in a high-tempo match.

The home side began the game well with only acrobatics from the visiting keeper denying them the lead. However, Strathclyde’s first shot came on 13 minutes and was only marginally deflected past the post. The shot seemed to galvanise Edinburgh into action and the home side again seized the initiative, James Styles being amongst those who came agonizingly close to scoring.

Against the run of play, Strathclyde took the lead on the stroke of half-time. While the home defence had repelled two strong shots from penalty corners, it proved to be third time lucky for the visitors, with the ball being coolly lifted over the out-rushing keeper Sam Trett to take the lead.

The quality and determination of the 'Burgh side shone through at the beginning of the second half as they brought the game back on level terms just a minute after the restart.

Edinburgh’s pace proved too much for the visitors, with Styles and Luke Conlon combining well to create a scoring chance. Despite Conlon’s effort being saved, Chris Nicholls tapped the ball in from two yards from the deflected save.

Edinburgh continued to take the game to the visitors and went ahead courtesy of Gray’s first goal of the match. From a penalty corner, the Edinburgh man powered the ball up and over the keeper 15 minutes into the second half.

The home side appeared to take its foot off the gas after going ahead, with only Trett’s quick thinking and a fine double save maintaining the slender lead. Slack 'Burgh defence was finally punished during a goalmouth scramble which saw Strathclyde regain parity with a shot from five yards, blowing the game wide open.

Edinburgh immediately struck back, with Gray again adding to the goal tally. The Peffermill side were awarded a penalty due to the visitors illegally obstructing a goal-bound shot with a little over 10 minutes of the game remaining. Confident after his last strike at goal, Gray stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way with a calm, well-placed shot.

Strathclyde now appeared a dejected side, with the home side putting them under constant pressure. Edinburgh captain Styles scored almost simultaneously with the umpire blowing for a Strathclyde infringement, seeing the goal disallowed to the annoyance of the home support.

With only a minute left on the clock, the visitors found themselves a man down due to dissent, allowing Edinburgh to cap off an impressive overall display with a final goal. Fittingly, Styles was the scorer with the forward latching onto a long ball with the slightest of touches which left the visiting keeper red-faced as the ball ran into the back of the net between his legs.

With a final score of 4-2, Edinburgh will be happy with their competent display of attacking hockey and another SUSA victory.