ALDERLEY Edge Hockey Club women’s team suffered the same Investec Trophy heartache endured by Harrogate at their hands last year.

Edge were defeated 3-1 on penalty shuffles by University of Nottingham at the weekend after a thrilling contest had ended at 4-4.

A year earlier heroics from keeper Harriet Whittaker helped Edge win the trophy for the first time on penalties.

This time it was a case of so near and yet so far at Lee Valley Stadium in London.

Despite finding themselves pinned into their own half for much of the first quarter by a fast and well-structured Nottingham team, Annie Hebb put Edge into the lead after 16 minutes.

She capitalised on a rebound off Nottingham’s keeper.

However, this lead was shortlived as Nottingham came back strongly, netting three goals within 10 minutes.

Edge kept their heads though and youngest player on the pitch, Caitlin Polley, pulled one back for Edge seconds before half time, tapping in a fierce strike from Sarah Hopkin from the halfway line.

If Nottingham had the best of the first half, Edge were certainly the stronger team in the second, although the game was still too close to call.

Hebb struck her second after five minutes to level the score at 3-3, only for Nottingham to almost immediately pull ahead again following a defensive error.

Amanda Bennison levelled the score yet again for Edge with 15 minutes left to play.

University of Nottingham scored three of their first four shuffles to claim the trophy despite Edge keeper Nat Stevens’ best efforts.

Despite this disappointment, it has been a phenomenal season from Edge’s women and they can now look forward to the new challenge of life in the North Premier league next season.

The club has paid huge thanks to all the Alderley Edge supporters who made the trip down to London and gave their University of Nottingham counterparts a run for their money!