Not so friendly match with Uni

“Not so friendly match with Uni”

Watsonians 4’s turned up on a bright Easter Saturday to play Edinburgh Uni 7’s

but as they were unavailable, Watsonians lined up to play a rather more

experienced and skilful side than had ever graced the East District Division 3

before.

Indeed, if the 4’s were going to defend their unbeaten home record in the

league this season at Fortress Tipperlin, it was going to take a monumental

effort, the Edinburgh Uni coach later admitting only 3 regular 7’s players lining

up in the Edinburgh Uni squad ending up in the concession of the match… So

all good so far , the points tally now putting Watsonians in with chance of

winning the league , other results permiting

The Watsonians defence lined up a variety of styles from the laconic Phil Webb

to the ever energetic Nick Smith with some enforcement in the centre from

Coxy , Mac and Conkie with Callum the ever vocal lad between the sticks

Pace was provided from Stuart, Mark and Kappa, Martin and Rob providing

some substance in the midfield whilst physical presence was supplied from

Alan and an old head on old shoulders provided by Ozzie.

Unusually for a Uni game, Biffa was absent, as he would normally reminisce

about a time when Edinburgh Uni would take kids from Borstal on some sort of

placement scheme from deprived areas of the country like Newcastle…

The team talk emphasised the need to start fast and to defend high up the

pitch and whilst Watsonians started energetically we were on the back foot

almost immediately struggling to hold the line beyond the D

The game was as expected open, fast and physical in places, the early chances

falling to Uni and several last ditch defensive clearances were required from

within our own D. Of course, if you spend enough time back there, mistakes

will happen and Coxy firing a clearance straight into Nick’s legs was an

unfortunate mistake leading to a short corner for Edi Uni. The writing was on

the wall as they switched the ball twice to open to the scoring. 0-1

Whilst the call for heads up was duly observed, the team were once again on

the back foot with some sloppy passing at the back culminating in another

short corner. Their class now showing through Uni duly played the switch the

other way this time making an opening for their second. 0-2.

With the seriousness of the situation now dawning on the home team, play

was hastened and several chances started to appear especially using the right

flank where Kappa was duly industrious in getting behind the Uni defence, the

forwards just failing to get the final touch on a couple of occasions. Rob now

stiffened the midfield and the game was being played at a good pace albeit

with some passes going astray. Inevitably the game opened up further and in a

split second Fraser appears free in space on the counter , now faced with a

seemingly 1 on 1 situation with the Uni keeper but the Uni defence had other

ideas, hacking Fraser down in his prime, allowing Stuart point to the spot and

Uni defence to take some time to think about what he had done from the

sidelines. Martin duly dispatched the flick and it was game on 1-2. Once again ,

buoyed by the comeback ‘Sonians’ came back even stronger again getting the

better of the Uni defence around the right flank and this time the strike force

made no mistake 2- 2 and shortly after in for the break

The half time Talk centred on a couple of key players in the Uni side and the

need to get ahead of the attack to impose our defence. Now clearly Coxy had

taken this a little too much to heart as the 2nd half started a ‘little nudge’ to a

fragile student sent said student crashing down and Stuart harshly (in the

opinion of the editor) pointing to a short corner as the offence occurred in a

postcode not even adjacent to the D. After some words had been exchanged ,

Uni settled down to the corner and sadly and almost predictably scored using a

double switch. 2-3

Chances were now opening up at both ends, the ball being worked through the

centre on more than one occasion with good work form Mr Tilston resulting in

short corners to Watsonians just unable to convert.

With one goal in the game it was still anyone’s to win and Uni looked as if they

may have sealed it rounding Calum and firing into an open goal but for the

presence of Mr Webb appearing like the shopkeeper form Mr Ben and clearing

his lines with seeming ease. Sadly, the defence came unstuck just a few

minutes later a ‘melee’ ensuing in the final yard of the pitch and uni getting the

ball home 2-4

Throwing everything forward, Fraser was then caught in an ‘emotional

moment’ with the Umpire. An unfortunate miscommunication ensued and the

skipper was sent to the sidelines. Later converting his card to yellow as a result

of mumbling something …. Now moved to behind the goal he looked a forlorn

figure… probably knowing that a fine or jug was unavoidable

Not to be beaten or dis-heartened , Martin found space as a couple of passes

saw a tight angle reverse stick opportunity converted.. it was classy stuff but

sadly too little too late with only 15 seconds left… 3-4

Watsonians had been outdone as result of skilful short corner routines but had

held their own in terms of playing the ball directly and especially down the

right flank.

The result left a strange after taste of a good performance but a lost home

record even if the result itself had only counted as friendly.

Waking up however on Sunday, the news filtered through that Eskvale’s

season was now in freefall, their results taking a dramatic turn in the last few

weeks leaving Watsonians free to win the league at Falkirk in 2 weeks’ time

No one is taking it for granted. Upon hearing that it is not is over until the ‘fat

lady’ sings, Fraser has taken matters into his own hands and has taken the

opportunity to book local favourite ‘SuBo’ for the event just in case. Lets hope

the boys won’t need to call on the Fat Lassie from West Lothian but I am sure

she will be there for the celebrations…

We are warned that tickets will be in short supply and a place in the starting

line up even more difficult to come by so get your tickets now, it is going to be

a cracker of a final day (even if a day out in Falkirk isn’t quite a trip to Wembley

to win the silverware….)

Credit for authoring to Simon Cox