Tea and cake or (sudden) death

The sun was shining, we were feeling good after our win over Kelso the day before, and we had a bevy of new recruits to bump up our ranks. Following what looked like someone’s driveway brought the mighty King George V fields of Kinross within our view, and the promise of post-match tea and cake with our hosts was put to one side as we laced up and got our game faces on for our first round of the Plate.

After a very brief moment when Liv forgot we had pass back, we got things underway. Beautiful drives up the sideline from Katie B brought the ball repeatedly into the D and Kate F like a woman possessed tackled ball after ball to keep play in their 25. The first 15 minutes flew by as Kinross’ 10-foot goalie rebuffed attack after attack in a determined defence that had the ‘sonians on the pitch and sidelines alike groaning in frustration. Suddenly the whistle sounded - a defender had kicked the ball at a player and we were awarded a penalty flick?! After some deliberation it was decided Kate F would take this one for the team. It was a clean shot but unfortunately wasn’t to be as the keeper’s 18-foot arms moved to deflect the ball.

Kinross started to break through the middle and had some strong runs towards the goal but were thwarted by lovely tackles from school recruit Hannah, great channelling by Rowan, Catie and Kate ‘Turny’ Turnbull, and mega-kicks from wunderkind Saskia in goal. Unfortunately one goal managed to slip past, and from there the energy really levelled up. The half-time huddle was positive despite everyone’s frustration at not getting past the 30-foot goalie, and the fact we’d eaten most of the sweets at the game the day before. The ladies took the pitch for the second half with renewed determination.

Fifteen minutes into the second half school recruit Lucy T was the one to finally get round the 60-foot goalie, receiving a pass from Katie B at the top of the D and sweeping the ball in neatly. The crowd went wild! Now the scary possibility of penalties set in, and the ladies got to work to try and get that second goal. Liv hit the decks in classic her style after a shot that looked so destined to go straight past the goalie and into the boards that she didn’t get up straight away. But no! It hit the post and stayed in play. Minutes later Hannah went down defending the goal, but managed to walk herself off the field and was okay by the full time whistle.

Things were tense as the minutes ticked down. The sideline support crew ummed and aahed about the rules for sudden death penalties, someone else thought it would have to be flicks. In the dying seconds we were awarded a short corner! With the full-time whistle now gone, Watsonian had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything we ever wanted. Would we capture it, or just let it slip? The whole team moved down inside the 25. Kate F lined up on the baseline. Her aim was strong and true and Lucy H belted it straight past the goalie to win us the game! No one heard the whistle over the sound of 15 Watsonians screaming as everyone engulfed Lucy in a massive hug. What a finish!

After a round of team photos and some well-earned puppy cuddles with our furry fans, the ladies retired to the Kinross clubhouse for tea, sandwiches, and the best coffee cake ever - made by the one and only hundred foot goalie. What a weekend, Ladies 4s!