Edinburgh LFC v Forfar Farmington LFC - Sunday 28th. January 2007

Edinburgh  v  Forfar Farmington  5-1

With both sides playing their first games in almost two months some rustiness was to be expected. The lack of sharpness was more than made up for in effort in an entertaining game which saw Edinburgh run out comfortable 5-1 winners.

Playing with a strong wind against them Forfar were put under pressure early on with the outstanding Diane Barry heading Edinburgh into the lead in the 14th. minute. Barry went close 4 minutes later with a shot that Fiona McNicoll did well to deflect onto the bar and over.

Forfar's first good chance came in the 25th minute with some excellent work from Alana Bruce which forced a corner. From the corner the ball was eventually scrambled clear.

With the game played in a very open fashion opportunities were regular.

Edinburgh had a number of shots go wide notably from Debbie McWhinnie and Sarah Archibald who were testing the Forfar goal. However, it was Forfar who managed to score the equalizer when  Avril Gourlay coolly slotted the ball away from yet another goalmouth stramash following a corner.

Fiona McNicoll made two exceptional saves as Edinburgh hit back. Disappointingly Forfar conceded their second from another messy corner with the ever sharp Barry finding the net in the crowded 6 yard box.

2-1 Half Time

 Within three minutes of the restart Forfar went further behind when they failed to clear the ball and a grateful Debbie McWhinnie took full advantage.

With a two goal cushion Edinburgh's confidence continued to grow and despite battling and continuing to try and play passing football Forfar were increasingly struggling to get the rhythm they had in the first half.

Diane Barry who tormented the Forfar defence all day used her speed to nip in between defender and goalkeeper to made it 4-1.

Cheryl Edgar's header from a shot which hit the cross bar made it 5-1

Forfar's brand of football is entertaining and against a lesser side would have ended in a positive result.

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SEE "VIDEO PLAYBACK" OF HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS GAME

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Diana Barry grabbed a hat-trick and Debbie McWhinnie and Cheryl Edgar also scored as third-placed Edinburgh beat visitors Forfar 5-1.

“It was a close first half,” says Edinburgh boss Carson Ralton. “But we raised our game in the second half and took advantage of that
pressure.”