Edinburgh secure comfortable Varsity win over Heriot Watt

Edinburgh v. Heriot-Watt Women's Hockey 7 November 2007

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A final minute goal hammered home by the University of Edinburgh placed victory over Heriot-Watt beyond doubt as they cruised to a 4-1 win on Wednesday 7 November. Following a successful penalty four minutes earlier, Amy Morrice made Edinburgh’s first Varsity triumph of the afternoon even sweeter.

After defeats in the football and rugby, the University of Edinburgh's Women’s Hockey team were relying on a win to ensure the University remained in competition for the Varsity. Heriot-Watt, on the other hand, had the opportunity to break Edinburgh's grip on the competition.

The University of Edinburgh won the first push-back and seized the opportunity for early dominance with an early goal attempt, but were denied due to some brilliant defending by Watt’s goal-keeper. A short corner in the fifth minute, however, saw Edinburgh’s Gemma Maxwell beat the goal-keeper with a second shot at goal that gave Edinburgh an early lead.

Heriot-Watt countered with a strong attacking flourish but Edinburgh’s early goal enhanced their grit and determination and the team's strong defensive play kept the Watt at bay. Another short corner for Edinburgh in the twelfth minute saw them pushing for a follow-up goal but Watt’s defence proved too tough to penetrate.

Edinburgh did not have to wait too long for their second goal, however, as captain Sue Davidson earned her position on the team with a brilliant goal in the 16th minute after putting pressure on Watt in the semi-circle.

The battle for possession was fierce as both teams’ thirst for victory pushed them to their limits. Twenty minutes into the first half a hard hit rebounded off the leg of Heriot-Watt’s Katie Smith, causing an injury that saw her carried off the pitch. A sloppy final 15 minutes full of mis-hits and interceptions suggested that 2-0 would be the score carried in to half-time. Watt, however, intercepted Edinburgh’s strong cross-pitch passing and pushed for a goal to regain status in the first half. In the final minute of the match Heriot-Watt’s attack proved fruitful against Edinburgh’s sloppy defending and a late goal set the scores at 2-1 to Edinburgh at half time.

The Watt began the second half as the dominant team as they pushed hard against Edinburgh’s defence, putting pressure on their one-goal lead. A green card for Watt’s Megan Bennett, however, turned the tables of the match and saw Edinburgh regaining their attacking form shown during the first 35 minutes.

As the 65th minute came to an end with no goals scored, the second half of the Varsity battle looked set to be disappointingly dull. A penalty awarded to Edinburgh in the 66th minute heightened the tension of the match and Megan Barbour’s flick past the goal keeper into the bottom left corner of the net secured Edinburgh’s victory over Watt with four minutes left of the match.

Edinburgh did not become complacent in the closing minutes of the match, however, and their continued attacking play saw Morrice’s shot slam into the back of the net as the icing-on-the-cake of Edinburgh’s success in their Varsity campaign.

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