Derby Day: Clash of the Titans.

Saturday 24th September, 4pm. Remember the date; remember the time. It was the moment Watsonians Ladies 4s had been waiting for since we popped the champagne corks on our triumphant, unbeaten run in Women’s East District League Division Three (hmm, catchy).

This was the big one. The flashpoint. The occasion we would later sit down with our grandchildren and reply in the affirmative when they asked if we’d been there. Because we were all there that day. For that match. For that occasion:

When Jodie wore pink lipstick.

This Saturday also saw the inter-club clash of the titans between the upper echelons of Watsonians Ladies. 4s v 3s. Maroons v Whites. Forget Brad v Angie; there was a proper fight gan doon in Tipperlinn.

As we stepped onto the pitch after our customary long warm-up, confidence was high but 3s were quick off the mark, drawing first blood with an early goal. No matter - 4s had a super strong squad, bursting with new talent and old soldiers. Catie, Katie G and Ashley were quick to marshal the 3s midfield, jumping onto every loose ball and playing it high towards Jodie and JULIAS. It didn’t take long before an equaliser for the gals in maroon. Katie G stroked a ball into Jodie who writhed around in the D like a salmon in a net. I’d love to tell you exactly what happened, but I was blinded by Clarin’s Rose Praline. Dunz ended on the floor and the ball ended in the net. BOOM!

3s continued to press, but just before half time, we won a short corner. After one duff attempt, Jenny injected the ball to newbie Suzanne whose shot hit the backboard like a bullet from a gun. We’d won the first half. #smugsville.

But the 3s wouldn’t lie down. They started the second half with renewed vigour and began charging our defence. But our defence know a thing or two about defending. Lynsey, Becca C and the ever-present new sweeper Ellie stood strong. And you know what they say about Tammy: watertight.

However the barrage was relentless. Despite some fabulous flying saves from Katie D, a burst of intense pressure saw 3s score a couple more times (4 if you want to be pedantic about it…). We continued pressing when we could with Becca P, Becca O and Aoife provided great outlets. Props to the ubiquitous Jodie and Mr Alisa Donaldson for providing much needed respite for out battle-weary defence too.

Sooo…we lost. And the result was a ballache. But pay no attention to that, my friends, because a gang of maroon warriors was forged that day. For a team not fully used to each other, we played incredibly well – everyone agrees. We will triumph again 4s; it’s all we know!

There’s a rematch later in the season. Watch out 3s – we’re baying for blood. #bleedmaroon.

MoM: Katie Gribbon
DoD: Jodie ‘Tom Daley’ Dunz