2nd Team Bow Out of SSS Cup After Strong Performance

On Monday 12th of March, EUWAFC 2s hosted Glasgow University 1st Team at Peffermill for the quarter-final of the SSS Cup. Their previous meeting in the league saw our 2nd team stun Glasgow late on with two wonder goals and as a result the 2s, previously perceived as underdogs for the fixture, went in to the game with belief and determination to produce another great result. The game kicked off at 7pm and the first 15 minutes saw an excellent start from the 2s. Hannah Dryden pressed the Glasgow back 4 relentlessly and put them under a lot of pressure resulting in a few changes of possession. Lily Chubb and Katy Nelson also made a number of noticeable interceptions in the first half as EUWAFC 2s found themselves the better team at the start of the game. Glasgow grew into the game slowly however and began to see more opportunities at goal as the first half progressed. Not phased by this, the 2s continued to press high resulting in a couple of opportunities. First, Hannah Dryden’s high pressure paid off and she even rounds the keeper before one of the Glasgow back four does well to get back and knock the ball out of play. Then a fantastic cross from Lily Chubb sees captain Carolina Sousa E Sa free in the middle where she gets an excellent header away, but it’s held well by the Glasgow keeper. Glasgow kept battling however and almost went one goal up, but the goal scorer was flagged for offside and the goal didn’t stand. The Edinburgh back four played well under increasing pressure keeping the score at 0-0 as the two teams headed in for half time. A couple of changes were made at the break as Amy Gilroy and Carolina Sousa E Sa came off, for Eva Steele and Kirsty Wilson respectively. Into the second half and the 2nd team continued to battle hard on a tough pitch with the game very much in the balance once again. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw some great end to end football as Katie McCabe defends wonderfully sliding in to deny the Glasgow forwards, before Lily Chubb once again finds herself through, only just unable to hold off the Glasgow defender. A number of fantastic balls were also played by centre-mid Rebecca Yuska who was the victim of a number of fouls in the middle of the park, but battled valiantly to keep hold of possession throughout. In the 67th minute however, Lily Chubb once again finds herself in space on the right hand side and with a fantastic effort fires the ball over the Glasgow keeper and into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Edinburgh 2s!! With over 20 minutes still to play however the game was far from over, and just 2 minutes later Eva Steele hits the post before Lily Chubb again finds herself in a 1 on 1 situation, however isn’t able to bury it again. In the 72nd minute Hannah Dryden and Katy Nelson were replaced by Katie Kennedy and Rachel Torrence who both played very well after coming on, giving everything to help the 2s see out the win. However, this time it wasn’t to be and after a mix up in the box in the 80th minute, Glasgow fired home from close range to put the scores level. Shortly after this and before the 2s had really adjusted from the previous goal, Glasgow scored again as a ball is hit from just outside the box high over keeper Amy Schmoys. Lily Chubb then came off and Megan Gower came on in the hope that some fresh legs could help the 2s equalise and despite battling hard, and getting yet more free kicks late on, it wasn’t to be and the final score remained 2-1 to Glasgow Uni who progress to the next round and we wish them the best of luck. Player of the Match, as voted for by the players went to Rebecca Yuska for an outstanding performance in the middle of the park where she battled bravely and put everything on the line throughout the game. This result sees the 2nd Team bow out of the SSS Cup at the Quarter-Finals and, as a result, closes the curtain on their competitive fixtures this season. The team can be immensely proud of their achievements this year as, with the exception of our own 1st Team, they have beaten every team in their league, which for a 2nd Team competing in the top division in Scotland is quite something. Each and every member of the squad has played excellently throughout the year and more importantly, have all played for each other. The 2nd Team record their highest ever points tally in Division 1A with 13 points from 10 games, and will go into next season with both confidence and determination to continue to improve as a team, as they have done for 5 consecutive years now.