We Are The Champions!!!

After a convincing win over second placed Grange Development on Saturday, the men in Maroon had one hand on the East 1 trophy. To take a frim grip on the title the team had to travel up the M9 to play bottom of the league Stirling University. On paper this looked like an easy outcome - win and the trophy was heading back to Myreside. However, with some tired ‘sonians legs and a smaller subs bench against a likely strengthened Stirling Uni side with their 1s not playing this was not going to be an easy finish to the season.

Playing the formidable 3-2-3-2 formation ‘sonians started well linking short sharp passes that the team had been accustomed to playing and stretching the Stirling defence. Respect was paid to the men in maroon with the uni players sitting in a half court press. Undeterred with this tactic, ‘sonians were able to find gaps with the pinpoint accuracy and fluidity the team has built on this season. A number of early shots by forward duo Cannon and Robertson in the D tested the opposition defence and goalkeeper early on. Finally, ‘sonians broke the deadlock with Booth.M passing to brother Booth.R sending the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner before falling over with style. 1-0 Watsonians.

Expecting to be a number of goals up the Watsonians went into the halftime break unaffected by the narrow score line, keeping the chat positive. Words of wisdom from injured captain Stewart and next season’s captain Sholdis kept it simple – much of the same with better outcomes.

The second half saw the more seasoned Stirling Uni players taking it on themselves to take the fight to ‘sonians with a number of early chances but they were no match for keeper Swanson leading the defence. Pulling the strings from the back it was time for Swanson to release the back three up the field. With little encouragement Hobbs took this on making a startling run from his own 25, passing and leading until eventually finding himself in the opposition D. A well timed pass from Greg 'Assists' Robertson across the goal to Hobbs saw the ‘sonians take a 2-0 lead.

Sensing the defeat looming Stirling Uni’s heads began to drop and sat even further in their own half. This allowed ‘sonians to continue to press and see Dyche as high as he’d ever known, in the opposition half at times. Taylor and Johnson being set free like birds of prey switching fluidly on the wings and Duncan the chance to press higher down the right wing providing support and overload. Even Sholdis had the chance of running into the D to break his duck before hitting fresh air. Cannon in the end hammered the final nail in the coffin taking his season goal tally to 19 from 18 M3s matches.

Time to celebrate! Watsonians Men’s 3s are East 1 Champions! The helicopter could now land and present the trophy to the winning side with confetti, champagne and TV deals for I’m a Celebrity. Alas only the shake of hands and pats on the back. The valiant Watsonians 3s are champions. Time to relax but many unanswered questions remain looking forward:

- Will Sholdis be able to take the 3s on and defend the title?
- Will Rich Gray ever be able to make a run like Hobbs and score?
- Will Dom Wright make a comeback and score again to show Rich Gray how it’s done?
- Will Ian Duncan lock himself in the men’s toilets at end of season again?
- Will Thumper wake up on the same park bench after end of season?
- Will Hogie ever play the easy pass?
- Will we ever see a greater two-footed tackle by Johnson?
- Will Rob Taylor ever be allowed out?
- Will Phil Long ever craft his own hockey stick?
- Will Murray Cannon ever turn on to his front stick to strike?
- Does Doug Dyche look like Freddy Mercury?
- Will Rob Stewart appear on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing?
- Does Rich Booth have another season in him to defend the title?
- Will Doug Swanson sign a deal with duck tape to help keep his pads on?
- Will Callum Wood be able to retain his top spot for most MoMs in a season?
- Will Greg Robertson ever score into double figures like Hogarth and Cannon?

MoM was Calum Hobbs for solid defensive work and that goal
DoD was LJ for constantly reminding everyone Stirling were playing half court

Many thanks to Jerry for travelling up to umpire