M3s through to the Cup Semi-Final

After another crucial league win on the Saturday put them 5 points clear at the top of East 1, Sunday for the M3s meant a trip up the A90 for a cup quarter-final vs Gordonians 3s in Aberdeen. Despite losing one player in the morning, the 3s set off bright and early with a strong 13 and spirits were high as everyone gathered at the Horn Milk Bar one hour up the road for pre-match sustenance. Mood in the camp remained cheerful 2 hours later as we got into the warm-up, but mistakes were creeping in and intensity was sub-par. Was the long journey going to show in a slow start?

Indeed it was. Gordonians started with a high tempo press and Watsonians were struggling to retain any possession in the first five minutes. The home team were passing and moving much better than ‘Sonians at this early stage and it didn’t take long for them to grab a deserved lead with an accurate ball in from the top of the circle and a back post deflection. 0-1

Things didn’t get much better for Watsonians in the next few minutes and the team found themselves deep in a hole of their own making as Rob Taylor played a nice first time square pass directly to the Gordonians centre forward. A 4-on-2 situation was quickly and efficiently converted into another goal via a back-post tap in. 0-2

Oh dear. Things looked pretty dire at this point. Ten minutes in, two goals down and under the cosh, Watsonians were in danger of a thrashing. Then slowly, oh-so-slowly, Watsonians began to find their rhythm and steadied the ship. The midfield of Sholdis, Taylor, Duncan and Booth started to win more battles, everyone's marking sharpened up and attacks started to penetrate through the Gordonians press. Watsonians got a key goal back before half time when Ian Duncan broke into the circle from the right. Although Ian’s attempted reverse strike didn’t come off, the ball found its way to Murray Cannon who duly tucked it away. HT: 1-2

The second half was dominated by Watsonians as Gordonians seemed to have run out of steam. The Watsonians goal was rarely threatened again, and the Watsonians back four could move the ball easily. Gordonians defended stoutly though and Watsonians were struggling to get the breakthrough they needed in open play. Then, about half way through the second half, the Watsonians pressure yielded a short corner. Greg Robertson pulled it out well, Rob Stewart stopped it, and Ali Evans fired it to the keepers left as he dived out of the way to his right. All in the deception according to Ali. 2-2

Both teams pushed for a winner now, but the Watsonians attacks were more effective. Finally, with 5 minutes to go, another short corner was given following a dangerous tackle at the top of the Gordonians circle. Up stepped Evans, jinked it round the first runner and clipped a looping shot onto the top of the back board. Miss-hit? Who cares? 3-2

Watsonians saw out the last few minutes to secure a great 3-2 comeback victory on the road. Next Sunday it’s Grange 3s in the semi-final. Keen

MoM was Ali Evans for the two goals

DoD was Rob Taylor for that special pass

Thanks very much to Pete Gillespie who traveled up to umpire. Thanks also to Martin Booth who stepped in from the 4s late in the week to ensure we had subs for the game.