| EDINBURGH LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB |
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Edinburgh LFC v Dundee United LFC - Sunday 10th. February 2008
Dundee United advanced to the 3rd round of the Unite Scottish Cup with a 2-0 away victory over 3rd place SWPL Side Edinburgh Ladies. When the draw was made, few would have given United a chance in tie but on the day as conceded by the Edinburgh Coaching Staff, the better team went through to the next round.
The game started at a frantic pace and United could have taken the lead in the opening minute. From an Edinburgh kick off, Broadie dispossessed Crosbie and forced a corner. The delivery into the box by Hughes caused trouble in the home defence but after somewhat of a mini goal mouth scramble, Edinburgh keeper Hutchison managed to get her hands on the ball and ease the danger.
United were camped in Edinburgh’s half for the opening 15 minutes and it came as no surprise when United took the lead on 18 minutes. Edinburgh failed to deal with another corner into the box and the ball landed at the feet of DENNEY, she controlled the ball and rifled a half volley into the top corner of the net to give the First Division Underdogs a deserved 1-0 lead.
Edinburgh could have and probably should have equalised 10 minutes later. A Header by Crosbie sent Barry through on goal as she rounded keeper Clark, her goal bound effort was somehow saved by the toe of Williamson which landed back at the feet of Barry who lashed a shot wide of the ride hand post when she should have scored.
United took stock of Diana Barry’s pace and quality and another effort by Barry was easily saved by Clark in the visiting goal.
United had two more chances to double there lead. Denney was sent through by Gallagher and her effort was well saved by Hutchison, diving low to her right to save a well struck shot from 20 yards.
Gallagher and Boag were once again involved which lead to Denney’s next chance but she skewed her effort wide of the right hand post but United were the happier team going in at the break.
H/T – Edinburgh 0 – 1 Dundee United
The second half started as the first did at a frantic pace with Edinburgh, obviously buoyed on my Carson Ralton’s half time team talk. However it was United who doubled there lead 5 minutes into the second half.
Substitute Fraser on for the injured Milne played a glorious right foot pass into the path of DENNEY and she chipped the oncoming Hutchison to double United’s lead and give Denney her 18th goal of the season, her 6th in two games.
Edinburgh then picked the pace of the game up, upped there urgency to try and get back into the game. Crosbie had a header which went over the bar, Danny Pagliarulo’s free kick was easily saved by Clark, another header by Pagliarulo flashed over the cross bar, Barry had an effort which went into the arms of Clark but none of the above chances were clear cut efforts as Edinburgh struggled to break down the stubborn United Defence.
With 10 minutes to go, United replaced Broadie with Stewart.
United withstood all the pressure that Edinburgh through at them and maintained there two nil advantage.
Over the final 10 minutes of the game, United got on the ball and killed the game off, playing some nice football and keeping the ball away from there opponents.
Edinburgh had one last chance when Gallagher went down injured and Clark through the ball out so her team mate. When the play restarted after Gallagher was replaced by Lorna Harkins, Edinburgh played the ball and a low cross by Lauder was easily held by Clark and her long kick forward was the final piece of action the game saw.
F/T – Edinburgh Ladies 0 – 2 Dundee United
Few would have given United a chance in this game but on reflection of an entertaining cup tie, well handled by the Referee in charge, United thoroughly deserved there place in the 3rd round draw. Edinburgh without a competitive game since the 18th November struggled to break down the United Defence and possibly with the lack of competitive action, failed to get into there stride which has seen them take up 3rd place in the premier league.
On the day, United deserved the win and it shows the strides the young side from Dundee are making. With two 16 year olds and four 17 year olds in the starting line up, it was a tremendous achievement to beat an experienced Premier League side like Edinburgh. However, it’s back to league business next week where Dumfries make the long journey North to Dundee for an SWFL First Division Match.