Watsonians 3s 5 - Stirling Wanderers 2

An early stroll out for these men in maroon on a fresh spring Saturday morning, apparently not early enough however, with the wandering visitors phoning Captain Bell an hour before push back wondering if we were turning up or whether the game had been cancelled? This would be the furthest ahead that they would be for the day, time is a lost concept in Stirling.

With the arrival of a few jaded faces, and the absence of a few familiar;

C. Sholdis - MIA
P. Conkie - Boxing with Kangaroos
R. Gray - Breakfasting with Mickey Mouse and the cast from Frozen
S. Hendry - Bridesmaid

Captain Bell with his revolutionary insight, shook up the formation - 3/4/3 - we were playing for glory, and he would position himself at the pinnacle.

From the outset the pace and tempo were dictated by the men in maroon. High pressure on the opposition 16 would see many long searching balls wasted by them off the sidelines at the half way line, and quick distribution across the pitch through the middle allowed for shifts in pressure left and right, and before long the first goal was struck and the lead was taken.

Note: Due to spectating from the back, I'm not entirely sure of how this goal came about, it could've been Captain Bell. (Captain's note - It was until thieving goal-hanging Rich Waugh nabbed it on the back post!)

The first half energy began to fade, but we held on through, then Mr. Rob Stewart got hit square in the head from a point blank reverse strike. This one looked risky, was he going to make it to the Disco tonight? Off he went, and in stepped Mr. Richard Waugh into the defensive fold.

Half Time

The second half started up with similar pressure and pace. Mr. Andrew Littlejohn moving with pace up the pitch for the second goal, well positioned in the opposition D to immediately double the lead. 2-0

Periods of pressure were sustained. Interceptions from the defence would setup lethal runs from the midfield and the third goal came from a long ball by Mr. R. Waugh at the back - not quite an assist - would find Mr. Rich. Booth for a great individual goal, taking the ball from all the way outside the 25, and calmly placing into the left hand corner of the goal. 3-0.

However, the counter breaks from Stirling were a little more frequent now as they left more men high stretching the defensive 3, and although these were dealt with; personal battles with the umpire and unnecessary p. flicks calmly dealt with by Mr. Swanson, eventually a scrambled short corner would see the first goal conceded.

Fatigue was creeping in and poor movement from a 16yrd would lead to an intercepted break of 3 on 2, second goal conceded, the pressure was now on, but with amassing such a strong lead, surely more could be done.

With the tempo and pressure picked up again, with quick balls played from the sidelines, and fantastic covering and creative play from Mr. Dougie Johnson we soon were back in the opposition D, with Ash Nair fending off defenders before slipping a pass to Captain Bell on the back post to make it 4-2.

Not letting up, with bounds of pressure on the opposition D, the 5th came (Littlejohn's 2nd), with time to spare, and the Wanderers were thoroughly beaten, heads went down, the sun came up, and the men in maroon enjoyed one of their most convincing and enjoyable wins of the season.

Finally, although it's been a short stint, it has nevertheless been an influential one and we're sad to say goodbye to Aswin Nair. We wish him all the best in trying to sort his life out.

MOM: Mr. Dougie Johnson
DOD: Mr. Dominic Wright

P.S. Mr R. Stewart safely made it to the Disco, after receiving yet another blow to the head.

Author: Dominic Wright