Edinburgh Dumped Out Of Scottish Cup

Written by Martin Domin Wednesday, 30 September 2009 14:52

Men's Football Scottish Cup First Round. Edinburgh University 0 - Vale of Leithen 3

The University of Edinburgh were dumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Vale of Leithen. The home side rarely threatened throughout the 90 minutes and can have no complaints over the final result.

The Scottish Cup evokes fond memories for the university side after impressive victories over Highland league opposition in recent years. After Saturday's defeat, however, it is clear that it may be a few years before such results are possible again.

Despite the fact that Vale play in the league below their hosts, they had won all seven of their league games to date when they arrived at Peffermill. Compare this to the start made by Edinburgh and an 'upset' was always on the cards. Neither side seemed prepared to show their hand in the early stages but it was Vale who threatened first. The lively Andy Martin twice came close to opening the scoring; first with a 25 yard effort that was driven wide before he did well to get into the box but fired over from a good position.
Both Martin and opposite winger Aaron Somerville stood out throughout the match and the latter tested home keeper Steven Oliver with a low drive that was held. Oliver was at fault minutes later, however, as the visitors took the lead. Geri Rossi crossed from the right hand side and after Somerville had headed the ball goalwards, Oliver fumbled it over the line.

The home side created their first chance of the match midway through the half; Alistair MacKinnon sent a free kick into the box and Darren Leslie saw his header tipped over the bar by Vale keeper Darren Walker.
Normal service was soon resumed, however, as Vale threatened a second goal. Ousman Sonko tried his luck from the edge of the box and although Oliver could only parry his effort, the ball was eventually scrambled away by the Edinburgh defence. Sonko then turned provider as his corner was headed over the bar by captain John Hall.

The half time whistle represented a chance for the home side to regroup and mount a second half comeback. Indeed, within a minute of the restart, Jack Beasley's corner was almost turned in by James Brownie but his sliding effort flew over the bar. That chance proved to be a false dawn, however, as Vale went in search of the crucial second goal. Somerville again looked dangerous but could only shoot wide from fully 30 yards before Martin again missed a chance when well placed inside the area.
The match was all but wrapped up just after the hour mark as Somerville scored the goal he had been threatening all afternoon. Receiving the ball in the Edinburgh half, he took a step forward before unleashing a well struck shot into the far bottom corner of the net. This time, Oliver was powerless to prevent the goal.

Vale were well on top at this stage and came close to extending their lead when Rossi saw his effort deflected inches over the bar. A string of substitutions failed to have the desired effect for the home side and while their work rate could not be questioned, they were clearly lacking in the final third.The chances continued to come as first Sonko and then Martin failed to find the target.

Vale substitute Steve Dongo looked keen to remind his manager of his credentials but his shot from distance was poor to say the least. Despite this, he helped wrap the match up in the dying minutes. Walker's goal kick was controlled well by the striker and he finished neatly into the same far corner as Somerville.

There was no doubt that Vale merited the victory and it is they who will be dreaming of drawing a league side as the Scottish Cup continues. For the university side, they must regain their focus as they return to league business on Saturday against neighbouring rivals Heriot-Watt.

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