Watsonians 3s 3 - Kinross 2

The second league match in 4 days and one or two of the Watsons men were complaining of aches and pains and sniffles. I passed an unofficial fitness test on Saturday morning by getting out of bed unaided and hoovering the stair carpet. It was clear when the warm up started that the bang in the ribs I'd taken against Edinbugh Uni 4s on Wednesday had not cleared up. But defensive resources where, as usual, in short supply, so I kept schtum and played on.

An early interception and clearance gave me a bit of confidence that things might not be too bad. Things were looking even better when Watsons won the first penalty corner of the day and Hoagie fired the ball to JD to deflect in for the opening goal.

Kinross had yet to threaten the Watsons goal when the Myreside men extended their lead. The umpire allowed play to continue following a Watsons foul as Kinross retained possession of the ball. However, no advantage accrued to the Kinross side and play swiftly moved up the other end of the pitch. I had just commented on this with the Kinross player I was marking when I looked up to see the ball looping over the Kinross keeper and into the goal. Sandy Hendry with the last touch.

In an effort to keep the pressure on Kinross, I took a quick 16 but my pass was intercepted and quickly run back into the circle. Despite getting my stick to the ball I couldn't keep the shot out and Kinross where back in the match.

The half time talk was positive and belief remained strong despite the set back. After all, we are all in this together, right lads, the team scores a goal, the team loses a goal.

Kinross had changed their formation at half time. I was marking a different player anyway. They also seemed to have changed to a more physical game plan. A few heavy tackles ruffled my feathers and aggravated my sore ribs.

Kinross were seeing more of the ball in our half of the pitch and won a couple of short corners. Doug Swanson made a couple of good saves and quick sweeping of the pads by Dom Wright and strong work by Chris Sholdis kept out the follow ups. Unfortunately, one too many corners was given away, and although Doug save the initial shot the ball fell to a Kinross player who fired in an unstoppable reverse stick shot.

Watsons were not going to settle for less than the win and continued to play good hockey. None more so than Sholdis, who carried the ball for 70 yards into the Kinross circle, but his cross did not find the finish that it richly deserved.

For me, though, the race was run and when Rob Stewart gave me the call from the sideline I was, for once, happy to call it a day for the last 10 minutes. So I was able to spectate for the final drama for the day. Watsons had played their way into the Kinross circle with the ball on the end of Phil Long's stick. The ball was fired into the goal, a great finish and everyone in Maroon cheered a well deserved winner. But wait, what's this? The umpire apparently has some doubt that the emphatic finish was not a goal. A somewhat farcical debate then ensued between the umpires and players from both sides. It transpired that the rocket finish had been played by a Kinross defender, but not to worry, a Watsons player had played the ball in the circle, and finally sense prevailed and the goal was given.

The final minutes were played without drama and a deserved win was recorded.

Watsons 3 Kinross 2.

John Dunlop was man of the match.

My Scottish Masters kit arrived for the World Cup in Canberra at the end of the month, so that took away the sting of being voted DoD.

Big thank you to Rich Waugh for umpiring.

Author: Paul Conkie