Lynch mob

Edinburgh University and Whitehill Welfare played out a scrappy game at Peffermill on Saturday, which ended up being short on quality and goals. Both teams had a poor playing surface to contend with which lent itself to a cagey encounter and saw Whitehill edge out Edinburgh University with an ultimately deserved win.

The away team started the sharpest and controlled the ball over the first ten minutes and it was not until after the 15 minute mark that the home team could amass some meaningful possession in the middle of the park.

The Edinburgh midfield was starting to get into the game but there was no real outlet for their possession. Jack Beesley made some good runs down the left flank and David Oswald looked dangerous when the ball broke for counter attacks, but he was all too often isolated.

After the 25th minute mark both teams were starting to engineer some good attacking positions. Unfortunately these positions could not be capitalised on and quality final balls did not materialise.

Both keepers had hardly been tested but just after half an hour a good ball into the area saw a low header by Oswald well saved.

A few minutes later it was the Welfare’s turn as they saw a 30 yard dipping free kick from Paul Lynch just clear the top of the bar.

The game was in desperate need of a change of tempo and the second half saw just that. Again, Whitehill started the brightest and Steven McCormack ended a good spell of possession with an acrobatic overhead kick that narrowly missed the post.

Edinburgh were now withstanding some pressure, and nearly went behind after a fantastic move. Whitehill Welfare’s left back Kevin Lee sent an accurate ball into the area and after some great control and a clever back heel by Gary Calvey, Paul Lynch sent a rasping shot on the half volley just wide of the far post.

Michael Hazeldine was now on for David Oswald up front and Edinburgh responded, moving the ball well in midfield with the influential James Craigan and Neil Irvine pulling the strings.

They had an excellent chance to take the lead when a long free kick was headed powerfully onto the bar by Stuart MacPherson at the back post. Unfortunately the rebound came too quickly for Hazeldine to react, but it was an encouraging sign.

The game became much more open and some strong challenges were flying in from both sides but Edinburgh were still finding it difficult to hold possession in the opponents half. It seemed like déjà-vu as the home team were again unable to carve out any good shooting opportunities and the quality of the crosses was poor.

At the other end the Welfare were hitting their stride and Gary Calvey on the right wing was making some excellent runs and supplying dangerous balls into the area. Edinburgh were tiring and the quality of the Welfare was starting to show.

As the clock passes 80 minutes it looked like Edinburgh may hold out for a hard fought draw but the Welfare dealt them a cruel blow when Lynch poked in the winner on 83 minutes.

Kevin Lee made a great run down the left flank, expertly beating the right back and delivered a driven cross into the danger area. Tait in the Edinburgh goal couldn’t hold onto the ball and after some confusion, Lynch was on hand to put the ball into the roof of the net from 6 yards out.

It proved to be the winner and a deserved one in a game with few highlights but Edinburgh will feel unfortunate to lose so late on after defending well and battling hard.