Spitting hairs

Edinburgh have scored two goals (both against Manchester Uni) in their five league losses this season, last month thumped seven-nil by Durham at home and losing last week by a single goal to Birmingham. The same result came in the first fixture between these two sides. On a day when the rain spat down at them as an insult they put their first point on the board in their efforts to avoid the wooden spoon in the British Universities league match. With the floodlights blazing to make a virulent green turf, it was disappointing to note that no single player shone in this pedestrian game of very few opportunities.

Balls too often failed to find their target. Play was generally scrappy, and both defences had moments of panic where they couldn’t break out of their halves. With coaches encouraging their players to pass and move and, at one bizarre exhortation from the Edinburgh coach, “score!”, both teams lacked the spark to give them goals. An early Loughborough short corner was scored but  ruled out, seemingly for timewasting. Both goalkeepers should be pleased with their clean sheets, making useful saves in both halves in open play and from set-pieces. In the outfield, manifold skill brought little end product, and the second half petered out into nothing, with tired legs and strained voices. If anyone had the upper hand, it must be said that Edinburgh’s midfield were generally penetrative and the home keeper did not make a save for the first twenty minutes of the second period. Loughborough’s attack was left open ten minutes from time and shot inches wide from fifteen yards moments after Edinburgh had shot wide.

With only two scored in the league all season, it seems Edinburgh has learned how to possess stinginess themselves. As they take the lessons picked up in this game, perhaps they can register a win before Christmas.