Men's 1s
Captain: Chris Miller
Match Reports 08/09
Saturday 28th February
AAM Gordonians (H) - Won 3-2
Saturday's game at Tipperlinn saw Watsonians take on AAM Gordonians in what was a crucial game in the fight to retain National 1 league status for the 2009/10 season. AAM started brightest, dominating possession in the opening exchanges. Aftera number ofa early excursions into the home side's D, the Granite City menopened the scoring after ten minutesthrough a Tom Swinscoe slap-hit, following up after Fedenzcuk had made the initial block.
The loss of the first goal seemed to rattle Watsonians in the minutes following the goal, but luckily the visitors failed to take advantage of this, and the capital city side managed to edge their way back into proceedings. After 20 minutes, some tenacious harrying from Robertson saw him dispossess the dithering McKay on the 25. Holding off the attentions of two defenders, he drove to the baseline before cutting the ball back to the top D for the onrushing Ferrier, who dispatched the ball into the back of the net despite failing to catch it cleanly. Now back on level terms, the home team started to turn the screw, and for the remainder of the first half held the upper hand. Jamiesonhad three half-chances, first forcing two solid saves from the AAM keeper and then, as half-time approached, firinghis third attempt just wide.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with Gordonians passing the ball nicelybutlacking an incisive edge, while Watsonians were content to sit in and try anddraw the Granite City men out so that they could then exploit the holes in behind. Chances came and went. Under pressure, Ferrier fired a flick wide from 10 yards after a cute pass from Byres. This was followed by aflurry of penalty corners for the home side, whichfailed to produce a positive outcome.
As thematch wore on, the game started to open out, and it was Watsonians' superior work rate which saw them take the lead. Jamieson's impressive chasing backhalted an AAM counter-attack and forced the ball out onto their left wing. It was then turned over in the corner, andSands, whose accurate flicking had caused problems for AAM all day,launcheda massive aerial downfield for Miller to latch onto. He held off his man, beat him for pace round the outside and then slipped it past the onrushing goalkeeper for Ferrier to score an easy tap in witha little over tenminutes remaining.
Almost instantly however, the game was level, thanks chiefly to some woefuldefending from Watsonians. Mowat crossed for Steele, whose scuffed shot was touched into the net bySpink, despite the hosts having had a number of opportunitiesto clear the ballduring the course of the move.
Watsonians seemed to have thrown away two points but then, in the dying moments, a cross from Cochranewas deflected goalward by an AAM defender. Rather than clear to safety, the Aberdeen keeper played the ball back into the danger area whereupon Millerstruck a powerful shothigh into the net, after a clever back heel from Dunlop. Miller's late strike sealed victory and madeit two wins out of twoin 1B since the league split leaving them in second place andon course to ensure that they line up against the best in Scottish hockey next season.
Saturday 21st February
CALA (H) - Won 7-1
On a rather mild but overcast February afternoon Edinburgh CALA made the relatively short trip from Meggetland to face off the first match of the National 1B league against Watsonians. This derby has in the past has brought differing results and an abundance of cards - this encounter was no exception. CALA started off sharply and had good possession for the first 10 minutes, however 'Sonians slowly started to gel and create some chances. The CALA central midfielders had a good partnership, however it wasn't long until Ferrier and Cochrane closed down their potential avenues which frustrated CALA and in particular Scott Sutherland who was carded for a petulant foul on Cochrane.
'Sonians grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with Miller taking his first chance well by displaying an unusual delicate touch to lift the ball over the outrushing keeper. CALA soon replied with a good move down their left with an accurate cross which was somehow deflected past the bewildered Smith in goals. Miller's second goal soon followed with good work down the right flank by Dunlop and at this point CALA looked helpless to stop the 'Sonians freight train from gathering more momentum. CALA did threaten on occasion through their short corner routine, however Smith was equal to all of Sutherlands efforts.
By half time 'Sonians were 3 goals to 1 up and after an inspiring half time team talk from the experienced Paul Ralph the team were soon back to scoring ways with smiles on their faces. Goals were scored by Byers & Ferrier with Miller achieving his hat-trick by dispatching the ball low and hard into the far corner after and exquisite pass by Cochrane from the centre of midfield.
Frustration grew within the CALA camp and midway through the second half they had 3 players yellow carded at the same time which left 'Sonians facing a tired and bewildered side. Despite playing against 8 men it was only Cochrane who was able to breach the CALA defence and slot the ball past the almost stationary keeper. Within the last 5 minutes the sun pierced through the grey blanket sky just as 'Sonians final goal was scored by Jameson after good all-round play right from the defence through midfield to the attackers.
The score line and overall display by 'Sonians was exactly the lift the team needed in order to strive forward and obtain the necessary results to reclaim a deserved position in the National 1 league.
Ashley Cochrane
Saturday 27th September
Men's 1s 4 - 0 Giffnock
'Sonians bask in sunshine on Leith to put season back on track
Last week a 4-3 defeat away to early season pace setters Uddingston threatened to derail Watsonians season. Moral in the squad was low, with one player going as far as to claim my heart was broken, my heart was broken, sorrow, sorrow…
Following that disappointing result another trip along the M8 to play Giffnock was always going to be a testing fixture for Watsonians Flagship team. The final score of 4-0 to Watsonians suggests a fairly comfortable victory but the reality is this was a hard fought win that hung in the balance until well into the second half when the second and third goals were scored in quick succession.
The seeds of this victory were sown in the north of the Capital with the Leith contingent of Dunlop, White and Ferrier supplying the fire power for all four of the visitor’s strikes. Special mention should also go to Chris Miller for continually getting himself into scoring positions and refusing to hide despite his lack of confidence in front of goal. Much like Ade Akinbiyi during his time at Leicester City, Miller continues to graft hard and everyone connected with the squad are sure his goal drought will end soon.
The one piece of bad news for captain Michael Clements is the persistent rumour that White was listening to offers from rival clubs in Edinburgh, White himself denied this strongly claiming “While I’m worth my room on this earth, I will be with you”
Dunlop's fine brace won him the man of the match award but kid gloves keeper Alex will be rightly proud of a fine performance in keeping a rare clean sheet for the club that on any other day might well have secured the accolade for himself.
The squad now move onto face Greenock in what is the last of their opening four consecutive away fixtures. Another tough match is guaranteed as Greenock are flying high, currently occupying the second promotion place a point ahead of Watsonians. Confidence however, is high in the squad that if they can keep their mercurial northern trio fit and Rocksalt remains open for business they have the creativity and goals upon which to build further victories. They will be boosted by the return of Captain Clements to lead the pack and while the chief, puts Sunshine on Leith…
Magnus Ferrier (Chief Leith Mink)
Men's 1s 5 - Falkirik GHG 3
The men’s first team got their campaign off to a start away to Falkirk. They were pleasantly surprised to discover a sand based pitch that did not resemble the Sahara (those who have been to training or played at home this year will see were I am going with this one).
To encourage some after game banter we have adopted a points scoring fantasy hockey system this year. The clean sheet bonus for the defence was a write off inside 2 minutes as a sluggish start by us was punished. Fortunately we hit back quiet quickly with Chris Miller winning a short corner and then converting the rebound from a James Byers drag flick/scoop.
Another piece of abject defending and we were behind again. Although we had a swift response again and John Dunlop opened his account with a well taken goal within a minute. Shortly before half time Ally Jamieson (making his first start) finished well after our press took the ball.
Half time came and went and we were soon 4-2 up after Ally bagged his second although not in the most convincing of manners. With the home crowd getting frustratedG thought he would make it interesting and get tackled 5 yards from the goal making it 4-3. We had to weather a storm of below average short corners before Dougie wrapped up the game on the break with a minute remaining and a well taken reverse stick strike.
A special mention should be made to the two new school boys whoplayed well intheir debut. Fraser Sands unfortunately thought a break behind the goal is the done thing which made his fantasy hockey points -2. After bagging 2 goals and the man of the match Ally is well on top of the fantasy hockey table with 25 points followed by Dougie on 15 and Chris on 12.
Chris Miller
