Watsonians 3s vs. Fidra Lions 1s

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Carnegie’s 3s the previous week Sonian’s 3s were chomping at the bit to return to winning ways. Standing in the way was a strong Fidra Lion’s team sitting second in the league.

Walking to the pitch I had an optimistic breath in my lungs and a spring in my step. Hearing the volume of the 2s match going on before: “This is war!” I thought aloud. Stepping onto the astro ready to go, my optimism was soon diminished and my spring unsprung. Looking down the touchline I noticed a look of unease across the faces’ of the 3s warriors..... could it really be? I did a double-take but an all telling tingle at the back of my neck confirmed that my first judgement was correct... a familiar silhouette at the dugout. Hendry had returned, and he was here to play...

So demoralised were the troops, they gave little resistance to press ups and lunges on the damp concrete led by the General, Richard Gray. Undeterred by complaints from senior officer Richard Booth of cold hands and tight muscles, the men were told to hold their positions by the relentless Gray.

Tough love seemed to work, and mid way through the on-pitch warm up, the 3s had put the unpleasantness behind them and were starting to move and shoot nicely for one of the first warm ups in recent memory. Dan “the Wall” Evans even had a save or two to make, which would put him in good stead for the next hour or so.

And so the game began; Sonians playing into a blinding November sun, which would soon play to their advantage as the ever-present R Booth converted a nice finish, after what was possibly a missed dangerous ball by the umpire. An energetic start to the match by both teams and Watsons were looking very handy on the ball with nice movement and ball speed across the back and up the channels. Clearly benefitting from letting out some pent up stress last weekend, Hendry’s good movement across the front line along with Richard Booth meant passes up field were finding their targets and Sonians were constantly pressuring the Fidra ‘D’. After some nice work down the left side by Ian Duncan, Richard Booth drove into the D and unleashed a fine shot. With the shot goal-ward bound, and its striker already celebrating, out of nowhere came a flailing stick. With a dubious connection and the quick thud of the backboard, a familiar grin was sprinting back to the centre spot. With what can only be described as a poacher’s goal, Hendry had added another point to his decent season tally so far. 2-0 Sonians.

With the game restarting and more solid work across the back by all of the defenders and holding midfielders, Sonians were getting into a nice rhythm. Strong but fair challenges going in all over the park and a massive improvement in the discipline that had cost them in the previous few games. Sustained attacks through the middle and wings led to another Booth-Hendry connection in the “D” and another goal for Hendry; this time well converted and more slightly more deserved than the previous effort.

Approaching half time Sonians were looking confident and comfortable. A couple of Fidra shorts, one which was converted and one which was unfortunately deflected onto a foot on the line after a decent attempted clearance by Conor Small, meant a goal and P-flick for the opposition. A well converted P-flick by the Fidra player meant a 3-2 lead at half time for Sonians.

The second half under way and again Sonians came out the stronger team. Continuing the nice play around the back between the recently reunited father-son Conkie duo, Sonians were finding space down the flanks and causing havoc in the Fidra D. My memory abandons me at this point, and returns with Richard Booth standing over a P-flick, which was swiftly sent home, Sonians 4-2 up. The game was being played in a great spirit, despite the referees best efforts to have a bust up themselves, until a dour moment looked to derail the Sonians charge. Disgusted at losing the ball, and with blind rage surging through his body, the Hatchet Man was recklessly pursuing his Fidra counterpart. Close enough to smell the fear of Fidra under 21s player, Hatchet mercilessly carved down the man, sending him skidding across the Tipperlinn baize – “Welcome to Sunday league football lad”. A green card followed and Sonians were in an all too familiar situation of being one man down.

After shutting up shop for a couple of minutes Sonians were back to 11 men and continuing their push on the Fidra goal. Some glorious open play but bad luck in front of goal meant the game was undeservedly still at 4-2 – would they pay for missed opportunities??

In the last 20 minutes the Fidra young blood started coming to fore as the Sonians began to tire. Numerous short corners later and the score was 4-3. Dan “The Wall” Evans putting in his usual stellar keeping display to keep the game tipped in Sonian’s favour. His efforts may have got the better of him though, as a Fidra breakaway attack was taking place. Sensing Evans charging off his line like a man possessed, the Fidra striker tipper the ball round the side of the keeper, sacrificing his own body for the good of his team. Evans duly obliged in obliterating the young man and connecting with very little of the ball – another P-flick, another goal, despite a good attempted save by Evans. 4-4 and Sonians were looking worse for wear.

Fidra were getting more of the ball and putting pressure on the tiring Sonians midfield and defense. More short corners came, and despite the self-proclaimed Tony “Hero” Allan and Paul Conkie putting their bodies on the line, another goal crept in. Despite solid efforts in the last few minutes Sonians just didnt have the legs to get the deserved equaliser.

A 5-4 loss in what was a great game, with some solid hockey and good structure. With better luck in front of goal, conceding less short corners and forcing some more short corners of our own, Sonians could easily have won against one of the strongest sides in the division.

By Craig Elstow