Men's 2s
Captain: Norval Scott
Match Reports 09/10
Sunday 9th May
Glasgow Uni 2s (District Plate Final) Won 2-1
The 2s have brought a long season to a triumphant close by winning the District Plate, beating Glasgow University 2s 2-1 in the final.
It was a trademark 2s performance, not least as we made the game as difficult as we could. A barnstorming turnout at the club dinner the night before meant the team was not at its sharpest, finding it difficult to find each other with our passes and giving the ball away regularly. In contrast, Glasgow started brightly, retaining possession well and bypassing our midfield with accurate long passes, and the students were soon a goal up, capitalising on a break away chance after possession was gifted away in midfield.
Further chances followed for Glasgow, with only a couple of sharp saves by Ratley in goal preventing the lead from being extended further, and Watsonians found it hard to retain possession for any amount of time because of the constant pressure. However, Colin Gambles and Craig Paterson fought hard to win ball in midfield and were able on occasion to release the forwards – a revolving cast of Malcolm Reid, Ben Wiley, Ewan Craig and Andy McLeod - but they were unable to create any clear-cut chances in the first half. While there were some bright moments, we were forced to take a more defensive approach as sweeper Alasdair Swan received a deserved yellow card for abusing the umpire and we were glad to get to the break only 1-0 down.
Half-time seemingly allowed our hangovers to lift, and the second period was a different story. Whereas Glasgow had previously kept the ball with ease, our increased pressure across the pitch meant that suddenly the students were unable to retain possession, leading to a number of chances for Wiley. The defensive drinking club of Colin Johnstone, Swan and Fraser Macdonald restricted Glasgow’s attacking opportunities to almost nothing, while Nathan Piper was at his destructive best, preventing the students from building up the right with any fluency. Meanwhile, schoolboy Danny Cain was growing in confidence down our right flank, retaining possession well and regularly beating his man and making the right pass.
With 15 minutes to go, Scott regained possession in midfield and fed Wiley, whose cross-cum-shot was sent acrobatically into the top corner by a diving Reid. The equaliser took the wind out of the students’ sails, and from then on the game was mostly ours, with Wiley’s enthusiastic running and harrying causing continual problems for Glasgow. With four minutes to play, Wiley sent in a cross that the opposition failed to clear, leaving Reid with a simple tap in, and he made no mistake.
While we didn’t always play our best hockey, the team showed great mental resolve and character to come back from a goal down against a younger, fitter side, and played very well in the second half. Hopefully, the trophy will be a springboard to greater things next season… or at least give us strength in any fight against relegation!
Thanks much to everyone who made it down to give us support, and also to inspirational coach/manager/physio Fin MacDonald.
Man of the Match – Malcolm Reid
NS
Sunday 25th April
Carnegie 2s (District Plate semi-final) 1-1 (Won 4-3 on flicks)
The 2s squeaked through to the final of the District Plate final on flicks after a tight-fought game against Carnegie 2s. It was not a vintage performance, but the 2s rallied well after a poor start and held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out to sustain their trophy challenge.
With Carnegie being one division below, Watsonians started as favourites but looked anything like the stronger side at the start of the game. The 2s struggled to get to grips with Carnegie’s direct passing and the defence was cut to shreds within seconds, the Carnegie forward hitting the post from a yard out with the goal at his mercy. More chances followed as Watsonians’ marking looked suspect, while we kept trying to force the ball through opponents instead of passing it round them. Following some careless play in midfield from captain Norval Scott, who conceded possession on his own 25, ‘Sonians allowed a shot to come in that the skipper then deflected past his own keeper and straight to a lurking Carnegie forward, who made no mistake to give the Fifers the lead.
The goal sparked a tactical switch, as Scott’s attacking game plan was ripped up in favour of coach MacDonald’s more pragmatic approach, but we were still under pressure at the back and failing to create shots on goal up front. Green cards for the agricultural society of Nathan Piper and Scott added to the pressure, and the 2s were reasonably fortunate to go into the break only 1-0 down.
MacDonald’s team talk emphasised the need for the midfield and defence to compress the space we were offering to Carnegie, and the shift paid dividends straight away as Watsonians suddenly had all the ball. Craig Paterson and Colin Gambles in midfield began to pounce on Carnegie possession, feeding the tireless running of Malcolm Reid and South African import Ben Wiley up front. The pressure paid off as Reid entered the D, rounded the keeper and finished from an impossibly tight angle to score possibly the 2s goal of the season.
Excellent chances followed for Wiley, Reid and Paterson and despite winning numerous penalty corners, the usually slick routine didn’t click. Carnegie themselves also had several chances despite excellent tackling from the defence, and only a fantastic save from Mike Bird, kicking out with his right pad when the ball looked to have passed him, kept the final score at 1-1.
In the flick competition, Carnegie’s first flick hit the post, easing the pressure on Colin Johnston, who had been expressing his desire to be the 2s designated penalty taker all season. His walk didn’t quite match his talk, as a soft flick to the keeper’s right somehow rolled down off the keeper’s chest guard and trundled over the line. Flicks by Paterson, Danny Cain and Ben Wiley were finished more authoritatively, before Bird made another great save to seal the win and put Watsonians through.
Bird saves the day (photo courtesy of Duncan Gray)
While this was a game in which Watsonians could have played better, they showed good determination in coming back from a goal down, with the second half performance being outstanding. Wiley up front had an excellent game on debut, while thanks are also due to Dave Breach for making the long trip to Glasgow.
Man of the Match – Ben Wiley
NS
Saturday 17th April 2010
Erskine Stewart's Melville FP 2s (H) Won 6-2
The 2’s secured another season of Central Division 1 hockey with a comprehensive victory over Stewart’s Melville. Needing a win to stay out of the relegation places, the team showed no signs of pressure to put in their best performance in 2010 so far.
With Stew Mel being rock bottom of the table, the game plan was to dominate the game from the start. An early goal from David Hogarth, who terrorized the opposition defence throughout with his direct running, settled the nerves, before a complex move down the right was converted well by David Thornton.
With the hard work seemingly done, Watsonians took their foot off the pedal, allowing Stew Mel to pull one back with a perfectly placed drag flick from a rare short corner. This only served to rile up the home side, and the constant pressure applied throughout paid dividends again as a third goal by skipper Norval Scottl, from a typically unplanned penalty corner routine, gave 'Sonians a 3-1 half-time lead.
More goals followed after half time. Hogarth scored his second after taking a break away effort the length of the pitch before firing past the keeper; in another short corner, Craig Paterson fired home with authority from three inches out, the ball crossing the line and almost touching the backboard; and schoolboy Danny Cain popped up on the far post to notch his second in two games. Stew Mel pulled one back after Watsonians failed to clear their lines, but it was too little too late.
Overall, this was a great performance across the pitch. The defence was composed throughout and retained possession superbly; the tackling in midfield as tenacious, never allowing the opposition to settle on the ball, and the forwards led the line excellently. All in all, a great way to end the league season – now the 2s will look to carry their form into next week’s plate semi.
Man of the match – David Hogarth
Sunday 11th April 2010
Inverurie (H) won 5-2
The 2s were seeking to put their poor 2010 league form behind them in the quarterfinals of the plate, but were made to work hard by a combative Inverurie side.
The prospect of a cup tie appeared to have relaxed Watsonians, so much so that they played the first half as if awakening from a particularly catatonic state of stupor. While it was soon clear that Inverurie were not likely to trouble us with clever ball movement, we got sucked into a midfield battle and failed to use the ball with any great purpose. After a half of hockey that wouldn’t have thrilled watching neutrals, we went into the break at 0-0.
Coach Fin MacDonald decided the moment was right for a tactical masterstroke, pushing sweeper Alasdair Swan into midfield, and the move paid immediate dividends, as having more firepower up front allowed schoolboy Danny Cain to score his first goal for the 2s from close range. The goal visibly removed the pressure from the 2s shoulders, and the result was never really in doubt from then on. Malcolm Reid broke his long goal drought with a brilliant finish from the top of the D before adding a second from closer in. while David Hogarth and Swan also added goals from short corners. Inverurie added two consolation goals, but never really threatened a comeback.
Overall, it was a performance with considerable room for improvement, but Inverurie fought hard and prevented us from playing with great fluency until they tired in the second half.
Man of the match – Malcolm Reid
NS
Saturday 27th March 2010
Kelburne (A) lost 4-0
The 2s complex plan to make the last game of the season as interesting as possible is still on course, after a 4-0 away defeat to league leaders Kelburne. Watsonians must now win their last game to be sure of staying in Central Division 1, although a 7th place finish is also a possibility if results go our way.
Preparation for the match was up to the 2’s usual high standards, with a late withdrawal leaving the squad down to 10 and half the team stuck in football traffic in Edinburgh an hour before push back. However, a last minute call up for Danny Prentice solved the crisis, and somehow 11 players got onto the pitch for push back, introducing themselves to each other as the match began.
Taking a leaf from unimaginative football managers everywhere, Watsonians opted for an ultra-defensive 4-5-1. While this blunted our attacking threat – leaving Reid to plough a lonely furrow up front – and allowed Kelburne to retain possession with ease, we were able us to choke up the midfield and prevent clear-cut chances.
Tigerish tackling across the pitch frustrated Kelburne’s attacks, while some agricultural tackles by the opposition – one of which sidelined Jake Hibbert with a facial injury – could perhaps have been penalized more harshly. Despite fantastic defence from the back four, we couldn’t hold out until the interval, with Kelburne touching in from close range with the last touch of the half.
Kelburne’s players were clearly told at half time to get something from their possession, as their forwards started playing to get short corners instead of chances. The strategy paid dividends, and while goalkeeper Bird – who was excellent throughout - kept out several straight shots, Kelburne eventually scored from three second half short corners.
Despite the defeat, the workrate, effort and tackling from all the Watsonians players could not be faulted, with Nathan Piper, Alasdair Swan and Colin Johnstone in leading by example. More of the same will be needed in the archetypal relegation six-pointer against Stew Mel coming up.
Man of the match – Alasdair Swan
NS
Saturday 20th March 2010
Greaves Clydesdale (A) Lost 5-1
Another trip to Glasgow brought another defeat for Watsonians as they went down 5-1 to Greaves Clydesdale. After a combative start, a slack pass out of defence left Clydesdale with a two on one situation, and they made no mistake with the finish. A second soon followed, as slack marking in midfield allowed an unmarked player to finish off a passing move, and a third cheap goal came after another suicidal pass in defence put the Clydesdale centre forward clean through.
A stern half time team talk paid immediate dividends as Watsonians put together a spell of sustained possession, with David Thornton unlucky not to score after rounding the keeper. The pressure told as Watsonians won a penalty corner, converted powerfully by Craig Paterson, who competed well in centre midfield despite struggling all game with man flu.
Hopes of a comeback flickered briefly, but as the game stretched Clydesdale’s clever movement in midfield and attack resulted in numerous chances for the Glasgow side, and only a combination of stalwart defending from Chris Allison and some remarkable saves from debutant keeper Mike Bird kept the score respectable. Clydesdale wrapped the game up when they finally converted two (of many) penalty corners.
In summary, Watsonians played well at times in the game, with youngsters Danny Cain and Andrew Timmons passing the ball with composure in midfield, and Dave Thornton and Phil Rudd working hard up front. However, our failure to defend as a team gifted the match to a deserving Clydesdale side.
Thanks to Clydesdale for providing both umpires.
Man of the Match: tie between Chris Allison and Mike Bird
NS
Saturday 13th March
Hillhead (A) Lost 7-0
Hillhead outclassed a Watsonians team shorn not only of many regulars, but also all of its schoolboys and anyone used to playing in goal. The outlook for the match worsened further when one player missed the agreed meet up time in favour of a nice snooze. However, after some exciting urban rallying and a lot of pleading for a delayed pushback, we managed to get 11 players on the pitch.
In a bright opening spell Watsonians pressed well and had several chances, with both Craig Paterson and Ewan Craig forcing saves from the keeper. However, the pace of the game quickly tired the players out and our marking collapsed, allowing Hillhead to create chances at will. Emergency keeper Andy McLeod had a storming game, making a number of impressive saves, but his efforts couldn’t prevent a 4-0 deficit at halftime.
After the break an injury to Andrew Sweetman effectively reduced Watsonians to 10 men, and the team did well to restrict Hillhead to a final score of 7-0.
Thanks to Hillhead for providing both umpires
Man of the match – Andy McLeod
NS
Saturday 6th March
Western (H) Lost 5-2
Watsonians 2s continued their losing run in a tough clash with Western, but put in a hard working, much-improved performance that should stand them in good stead for the rest of the season.
Taking inspiration from the foul-mouthed hockey comedy act that immediately preceded our game, the 2s started combatively, working hard to shut down Western’s attacks. However, this good work was undone when a poor pass out of midfield led to a one on one chance for the Western centre forward, who finished with authority. Despite facing constant pressure from a skilled and well-coached Western side that passed the ball with great accuracy, Watsonians didn’t let their heads drop, with Thornton just failing to convert a great cross. Fantastic tackling and marking from the back four meant we reached halftime only down 2-0.
After a tactical rejig, Watsonians’ passes started going astray in the second half - resulting in a third Western goal and some healthy inter-team dissent – while a fantastic passing move was rewarded with a fourth. However, Watsonians continued to fight for possession, with Reid and Hogarth counter attacking well up front and winning short corners. From one set piece, a Swan shot was finished off neatly by Paterson, and Hogarth then finished off a clever passing move begun by Gili to bring us within two goals with five minutes to play. However, hopes of a famous comeback were dashed as Western took advantage of Watsonians’ increased attacking intent to finish the game off with another well-taken goal, making it 5-2 at the final whistle.
While the final score was a disappointment, there was little doubt that this was a much improved performance, with the work-rate and effort all round being excellent.
Many thanks to Sieve and Dougie for umpiring.
Man of the match – Andrew Sweetman
NS
Saturday 27th February
Inverleith (A) Lost 5-1
The 2s continued their poor start to the second half of the season with a dispiriting performance against Inverleith. Watsonians failed to get to grips with the slick Peffermill surface and were second best in all departments of the game.
Watsonians did look composed when playing the ball out of defence, but our midfield was completely out of sync; we made bad decisions when in possession, failed to pass the ball to each others’ sticks, and tackled poorly. Defending short corners – a problem all season – was again our downfall, as two straight shots sent the 2s into the break 2-0 down.
That lead didn’t seem insurmountable, but a nightmare start to the second half saw goals conceded in quick succession and heads dropped all around. Frustration got the better of Gili, who saw little ball on the right, and he was carded for a rash challenge. With his departure the game became more spread, allowing Watsonians to mount a late rally that saw Gambles net a consolation strike.
Thanks to Richard Booth for umpiring.
Man of the match – Chris A
NS
Saturday 20th February
Edinburgh University 2s (H) Lost 4-1
After a solid pre-Christmas run, the 2s hoped to carry that good form into a key clash with Edinburgh University. However, things didn’t go to plan as a mobile, well-drilled Uni side claimed all three points after a lacklustre Watsonians performance.
A bracing call-to-arms from the new skipper clearly had a decisive impact, as Watsonians competed well in the opening exchanges. An unfamiliar midfield quartet denied the students time and space, while Hogarth and Thornton were looking bright up front, creating several chances through continued pressure. The best opportunity fell to Macdonald, performing well in an unfamiliar midfield role, who shot just wide from a ball in from the left. .
However, Watsonians themselves looked rusty, finding it hard to retain possession themselves or put passes together, and were increasingly forced to play on the counter as the Uni pressed. Eventually the pressure told, as a low shot from a short corner beat the defensive efforts of both goalkeeper Brown and sweeper Swan.
The goal spurred an immediate riposte, as a short corner of our own rebounded off the keeper and – after an errant air shot from Macdonald that ought to have seen the goal disallowed – was put away by Hogarth, making the score 1-1.
At half-time the message was to persevere, remain tight at the back, keep creating chances and get the goals our pressure deserved. Instead, we tired, allowing the University more space to play the ball in and giving our defenders little to aim for, resulting in possession and chances regularly being gifted to the university. The students scored a second goal after a slick short corner, before adding a third after capitalising on a defensive mix-up.
Despite the disappointment, Watsons kept fighting, creating a number of golden opportunities that we (unusually) failed to convert. The students put a final gloss on the performance by scoring a fourth as time expired.
Overall it was a disappointing start to the second half of the season. A game in which we should have been competitive in and were dominant at times was badly lost, and while we could certainly have scored more goals, the students also failed to capitalise on a number of gilt-edged chances.
Many thanks to Ozzy for umpiring.
Man of the match – David Hogarth
NS
Saturday 28th November
Grange (H) Drew 4-4
It was very cold conditions at Tipperlinn for a keenly contested match to end the outdoor season before Christmas. It was a very strange match due to the lack of schoolboys playing. All the ‘Sonians boys were unavailable due to a school tournament in Glasgow and Grange only had one youngster in their ranks. It was therefore a match full of ‘experienced’ players on both sides. The average age of the home team was over 30 and I don’t think the visitors can have been too far behind.
Grange took the lead from a short corner and doubled their lead when an unmarked striker (one of three unmarked) knocked the ball home from close range at the back post. ‘Sonians were trying to over-complicate things in midfield but looked dangerous when they got the ball up to David Hogarth and Graham Joyce upfront and were unlucky not to get on the score sheet before half-time. Grange were reduced to 9 men temporarily when they received yellows for a bad tackle and hitting the ball away but it was in the final minutes of the second suspension that ‘Sonians pulled one goal back when Joyce smashed the ball home between the keepers legs on the break.
The Grange defence were starting to look vulnerable and unable to cope with the movement of the ‘Sonian forwards with Hogarth dispossessing the Grange skipper before rattling the ball high into the net to make it 2-2 and Alasdair Swan made it 4 goals in 4 games (1 for the 4th XI) from a short corner to put ‘Sonians 3-2 up. Ill discipline seemed to be contagious as the umpires flashed their yellow cards at the home team this time, Cameron Mowat, for dissent and Colin Gambles for a stick tackle. Grange equalised before Joyce made his debut one to remember with another thumping finish to give ‘Sonians a 4-3 lead to hold onto for the last 15 minutes. Unfortunately Grange were not going to give up the game easily and grabbed an equaliser late on. ‘Sonians were again reduced to 10 when Joyce’s debut was cut short with a late yellow card for a careless tackle.
It was ‘Sonians first point against Grange for some time but there was a feeling of disappointment and what might have been in the bar after the game.
Thanks to Darren Cavaroli for umpiring.
Man of the Match - David Hogarth
FM
Saturday 21st November
Stirling University (A) Won 4-2
The second half of the season began withatrip to Stirling for the second time in three weeks, this time to play Stirling University, and yet again the weather was atrocious. But the conditions had to be disregarded as the result, against a side currently sitting in the relegation zone only three points below the 2s, was likely to prove crucial come the end of the season.
With this in mind, the away side made a very encouraging start, affording the hosts few opportunities and creating several themselves. The students were playing a high defensive line and David Hogarth twice exploited this tobreak clear, but was thwarted on both occasions by the advancing keeper. The same player made it a hat-trick of chances squanderedwith an air-shot at the back post with the goal gaping, and moments later Craig Paterson pushed weakly at a rebound which a Uni defender easily blocked.
'Sonians finally took the lead that their possessiondeserved when Malcolm Reid broke down the right and into the circle. His attempted cut-back to goal-hungry colleagues was intercepted by a defender, but the unfortunate lad could do nothing but deflect the ball beyond his own goalkeeper. Reid tried to claim the goal, but an emergency meeting of the Dubious Goals Panel (unnamed subs on the sidelines in the second half) ensured that Reid's wait for his first goal of the season goes on.
Paterson doubled the visitors' lead from the penalty spot minutes later after he was crudely felled by the Stirling keeper, but by this stage things were getting a little tetchy, with some poor tackling and questioning of umpiring decisions disturbing the flow of the game. This came to a head moments before half-time whenFraser Sands won the ball cleanly at right-back from the opposing number 9. The student, who had already beencautionedfor dissent, upended Sands from behind with no intent at getting near the ball, and was promptly shown a red card. Never one to leave an umpire to manage such situations on his own, Hogarth received a yellow card in the ensuing discussion with the peroxide-enhanced young chap.
The home side halved the 'Sonians advantage shortly after half-time from a short-corner, but the visitors were not perturbed. Colin Johnston and Chris Allison were standing firm at the heart of defence, Norval Scott was making marauding runs from left-back, and Sands' aerials were creating openings for the tirelessMatt Connor and David Thornton up front.
Restored to 11 playerseight minutes into the second half, the result was put beyond doubt. Hogarth finally got his name on the score-sheet, deftly slipping it past the keeper following a great through-ball from Jake Hibbert, and Scott added a fourth, drilling a shot into the corner from the edge of the D following an unplannedpenalty corner routine.
Stirling pulled one back from a further short corner, but this did little to disguise the visitors' supremacy on a wet and windy afternoon.
Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Gordon Balfour for umpiring.
Man of the Match - Norval Scott
CP
Saturday 7th November
Erskine Stewart’s Melville FP 2s (A) W 6-2
For the second game running the 2s were out of the blocks quickly and took an early lead when David Hogarth outstripped the home defence and crashed the ball home with 2 and half minutes gone. ‘Sonians continued to pile the pressure on and Duncan Riddell had a great deal of possession down the right and was unlucky not to score before Hogarth doubled his and ‘Sonians tally after roughly 20 minutes.
Some poor finishing by ‘Sonians was to be punished by Stew Mel who capitalised on some slack defending to make it 2-1. Again this season the 2s struggled to get the ball cleared within their own D despite keeper Wayne Ratley making the initial save. Fortunately the lead was restored within minutes when another drive into the D by Riddell saw his shot blocked but the ball fell to David Thornton who undercut a cracker high into the net from the top of the circle making the score 3-1 at half time.
‘Sonians didn’t replicate their first half start in the second and conceded another scrappy effort, again as a result of being unable to clear their lines. Stew Mel were then temporarily reduced to 10 men due to a yellow card for dissent but during the expulsion ‘Sonians were unable to capitalise. However, it was becoming a one way procession towards the Stew Mel goal and Hogarth’s constant running and harassing of the defence (of both teams) was rewarded with his hat-trick goal that he hit high into the net.
Having scored his first of the season last week, Norval Scott was not deterred by playing at right back this week and added the fifth when he lashed the ball across the keeper into the goals. Duncan Riddell, who had a great game on the right made it up front after Hogarth was rested for the final few minutes and finally got the goal his display merited with a minute to go.
A good performance from ‘Sonians but concentration both at the back and in front of goal is a must in the next few fixtures.
Thanks to Darren Cavaroli for umpiring
Man of the Match – David Hogarth
FM
Sunday 1st November
Stirling Wanderers (CUP) A – Lost 4-3
In horrific conditions in Stirling an 11 man squad contrived to throw away a 2-0 and a 3-2 lead to lose 4-3 against a team from the division below. The only consolation can be that ‘Sonians now enter the Plate. ‘Sonians started excellently and went ahead with a strike from Cameron Mowat 22 seconds into his debut for the Club and were 2-0 up inside 3 minutes after Cam Asmar scored his first goal for the 2s. Wanderers got one back just before half time and scored early in the second half to level the scores. Andy McLeod scored for the second Sunday in a row to make it 3-2 but 2 late goals sealed it for the hosts.
Thanks to all the players who made the game as we were struggling for numbers, especially those who got out of their sick beds to play (or DT who we just had to get out of his bed!).
Man of the Match – Cameron Mowat
FM
Saturday 31st October
Edinburgh University 2s (A) L 4-2
'Sonians were slow to get started in this game and didn't seem to cope well with the slick surface at Peffermill for the first 15 mins. However the midfield started to impose itself on the game and Craig Paterson and Coln Gambles were taking the game to Uni and Dave Thornton up front was running very effectively at the Uni defence. Pete Brown made some excellent saves in goals but after one great save Uni slammed in the rebound to lead 1-0 at half time.
'Sonians were better at the start of the second half and got a deserved equaliser after a poor short corner push out allowed Norval Scott to take the ball himself and crash the ball home. Unfortunately Uni were straight up the other end and took the lead again, this time from a short corner rebound.
A crunching tackle by Scott won the ball and the clearance that followed saw David Hogarth closing down the keeper who inexplicably came out of his D to try and play it with his stick but made a complete hash of it to allow Hogarth to slap it home to restore partity.
Despite some good pressure from 'Sonians, Uni pressed until the end and scored a further 2 goals, again both from short corner rebounds.
Thanks to George Thornton for umpiring
Man of the Match - Colin Gambles with an honourable mention for DT
FM
Sunday 25th October
Stirling University (H) Won 5-1
Despite turning up 7 mins after the scheduled start time and consequently having no time for a warm-up, the students had the better of the early exchanges. Never a team to endulge in a strenuous warm-up themselves, 'Sonians were guilty of some errant passing and a lack of strength in the tackle. However, Swan and Johnstone were turning the clock back to keep Stirling at arm's length, and anything that got past them was cleared sharply (although sometimes dangerously) by Kay.
'Sonians grew more cohesive as the half wore on, and a couple of glorious chances were created for Sweetman and Postlethwaite, but both were spurned to leave the half-time score at 0-0.
The half-time team talk centred around erradicating the carelessness and being more composed in front of goal, and Andy McLeod delivered only minutes later, sweeping home via a defender's stick following good work by Ewen Craig.
The home side doubled their lead shortly after, Swan rifling in front a short corner, and a glorious reverse pass from Sweetman allowed Thornton to run into the D and hit a sweet low shot into the far corner to make it 3-0.
The visitors heads were down now, and 'Sonians were growing in confidence all the time. Sweetman increased the lead with a strike from the edge of the circle, and Swan grabbed his second, and Sonians' 5th, following another slick short-corner routine, this time finding the opposite corner of the Stirling goal.
A scrappy closing 5 mins included a Stirling goal from a short corner that Kay was unlucky not to keep out, but that mere consolation did nothing to hide the positive result.
Thanks to Sue Webber for umpiring.
Man of the Match - Alisdair Swan
CP
Saturday 24th October
Kelburne (H) Lost 8-0
A huge number of unavailable 2s regulars caused 'Sonians to field a largely youthful and experimental line-up against the league champions for the last 7 years.
A repeat of last year's coupon-buster always seemed unlikely, and a couple of early goals put the visitors into a 2-0 lead. The home side had a positive 15 mins thereafter and created some half-chances, but never really looked like making the breakthrough, and Kelburne scored just before the half-time whistle to make it 3-0 at the break.
Kelburne stepped up the pace in the second half with Scotland U21 international Josh Cairns a constant threat, scoring a great reverse strike from a tight angle, and an unstoppable drag-flick from a short-corner, as well as creating two others.
Although 'Sonians were taught a harsh lesson in ball-retention and clinical finishing, Brown made many good saves to keep the scoreline in single digits, Robertson made some crucial tackles and Sweetman's mazy dribbles ran the Kelburne defence ragged on several occasions.
The match ended on a sour note when, with literally five seconds of the game remaining, a Kelburne midfielder repeatedly questioned the umpire's decision on a free-hit call, and then abused the official, resulting in a senseless yellow card.
Thanks to Darren Cavaroli for umpiring.
Man of the Match: David Sweetman
CP
Saturday 17th October
Clydesdale (H) Lost 3-1
A tight first half was highlighted by two gilt-edged chances for 'Sonians to take the lead. Good work down the right by Ewen Craig led to the ball being squared to Connor six yards out, but his shot was saved at point blank range by the Clydesdale goalkeeper. The home side threatened again towards the end of the half when Hogarth broke clear, but again the visitors' 'keeper pulled off a great save to keep the scores level at half-time.
Clydesdale came out in the second half with much more purpose and made the home side pay for their profligacy. They scored a scrappy goal to take the lead following a debatable interpretation of the "5-metres-from-the-D" rule, and increased their lead following a well-worked move that left the Clydesdale attacker with only 'keeper Brown to beat.
Having turned around a 0-2 scoreline in the second half the previous week, the home side should were still in touch, but they again failed to breach the Clydesdale rearguard, Connor unlucky not to finish off a good ball to the back post. The visitors then scored a third when 'Sonians repeatedly failed to clear their lines.
Hogarth scored a late goal for the hosts, but it was little more than a consolation.
Thanks to Ozzy Lobo for umpiring.
Man of the match: David Hogarth
CP
Saturday 10th October
Hillhead (H) Won 3-2
Both teams started well without either keeper really being tested and genuine chances were few and far between. Neither team would have expected the goal fest in the second half with the 0-0 score at half-time.
It was Hillhead who took the lead with a short corner move back to the taker who finished superbly. The lead was then doubled after a mazy run by the Hillhead centre mid who evaded several weak attempted ‘tackles’ to be easily allowed into the D and he found a wonderful reverse stick finish into the corner which I am sure he is still telling his team-mates about!
With only 12 minutes left ‘Sonians had to dig deep and show some belief as they were playing some of their best hockey of the season so far. Their endeavours were rewarded with a goal from Andrew Sweetman, who was outstanding throughout, from a short corner that was flicked low passed the keeper. The equaliser also came from a short corner, this time switched to David Hogarth who attempted a high flick that was going well wide before Craig Paterson intervened and deflected it high into the net. Or it was great vision by Hogie to pick out his team-mate? I think we know which it was.
Hillhead were visibly disturbed by letting their lead slip and ‘Sonians capitalised on this and with a minute to go a good move involving Colin Gambles, Malcolm Reid and Craig Paterson saw Paterson smashing home from the top of the D to secure the first points of the season and also take his own tally to 5 in 4 games. Not a bad return for a holding midfielder.
Thanks to Sue Webber and John Watkins for umpiring.
Man of the Match – Andrew Sweetman
FM
Saturday 3rd October
Western (A) Lost 5-3
Watsonians started well and had the better of the early exchanges but conceded from a short corner after about 10 minutes. It was switched left then played to the far post for the man running in at the right post to finish. ‘Sonians then missed a good chance to equalise after about 15 minutes. Wildcats left back played it across goal, right to the front stick Duncan Riddell who stepped in to the D and struck a sweet shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal resulting in a great save by the keeper.
The visitors went further behind when they conceded a second from another short corner, a first time strike from the man at the top of the D which went in at the keeper's right hand post. They pulled one back with a quick break from midfield, played through to Riddell, who rounded the goalkeeper and reversed it into the empty goal to make it 2-1. However a third was conceded just before half-time after a quick one-two left former ‘Sonian player Charles Hibbert running into the D unchallenged and he lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
After conceding a fourth just after half-time Riddell pulled one back with a reverse stick waist height volley to make it 4-2 before Hibbert extended the lead again. The final consolation goal came from Colin Gambles, his first for the Club after a good move down the ‘Sonian right.
Thanks to Western for providing both umpires.
Man of the Match – Duncan Riddell
CP
Saturday 26th September
Inverleith (H) Lost 5-4
'Sonians started well and dominated the first 25 minutes and were rewarded with a goal apiece for Craig Paterson and David Sweetman. A short corner strike just before half time allowed Inverleith back into the game and a nightmare 10 minute spell in the 2nd half saw them stride into a 4-2 lead. A twice taken pf by Paterson reduced the margin before another short corner made it 5-3. David Hogarth added a late pf but the equaliser was elusive.
Thanks to Sieve for umpiring
Man of the Match - Craig Paterson
FM
Saturday 19th September
Grange (A) - Lost 5-1
It was a disappointing start to the season given the strength of the squad that was available. A sloppy start gave Grange the lead but the equaliser by Craig Paterson after a slick short corner move was well deserved. Some hesitant defending allowed a free shot from the top of the D to give the hosts a 2-1 lead at half time. Injuries and general fitness levels took its toll in the second half and Grange added a further 3 by the end.
Thanks to Andrew Robertson for umpiring.
Man of the Match - Michael Clements
FM
