Ross High - Slow and Steady

The best things in life take time. You can’t rush them. They mature like fine wine; elegant topiary; the unmistakable notes of Stilton each time you open your kit bag. (Just me?)

So, we knew that a win in our first game of the season with a brand new team, a brand new captain, VC and a new sports bra (just me?) was going to be a tall order. Especially when playing against our old nemesis, Ross High.

We arrived pitch side in glorious sunshine. So sunny, in fact, that umpire, Fi Robertson, was seen liberally applying what appeared to be goose fat before she took to the sideline. Her Factor 50 (yes sports fans - Factor 50 in East Lothian in September) was rendered somewhat redundant by her decision to umpire in tracksuit bottoms the size of a Renault Espace - but no matter.

We started our warm-up. Some of us had played summer hockey, some of us had attended summer fitness and some of us had enjoyed a bottle of red wine each evening for the last 12 nights (just me?), but we all mucked in. Special props must go to our star warmer-upper, Elizabeth Sweetman, who reminded some of the older team members that it’s possible to warm-up without a) sweating, b) swearing, and c) dry-wretching. Who knew?

New Captain Mel and VC Juice (JOOSE) had assembled a FULL TEAM of 16. Perfect for hot weather/questionable fitness. And so, with new faces, old faces and super-subs poised, we stepped onto the synthetic turf.

1-0 Ross High.

Sorry, what? All had been going well. We were rusty, sure, and but the old hands and new faces were slowly getting the hang of playing together. Isabel, Ellen, Jena and Alessia, four of the new girls, were linking up well with Kate’s midfield battling and Rozy’s robust defending. And Juice had been let loose, chasing long balls and closing down defenders.

2-0 Ross High.

Whit? Julia and Checks were doing some SERIOUS running. Judith and Jen were titans at the back and Imogen was having possibly her best game for the club; finding space and holding the play, but it just wasn’t happening for us.

Until. Juice chased up a high ball on the right and fired it into the middle. Jenny – unseasonably high up the pitch - picked it up in the D, swivelled… and shot straight at the keeper. She pounced on the rebound and was just about to go again when she heard the soundtrack of our side, the podcast of our play: Captain Mel. “I’m here, I’m here, square pass, I’m free”. And she was. Jenny passed left and Mel guided the ball into the goal. THAT – right there – is why we should all talk as much and as loudly as Mel on the pitch! Because: goals! Beautiful, beautiful goals.

We went in 3-1 down at half time.

The second half had more of the same. Saskia made some great saves and we battled (wo)manfully against a skilful Ross High side – Michelle, who seemed to dive head-first into the opposition at one point, more than most. But we’re not yet the well-oiled machine we were at the end of last season. These things take time.

The final score was 5-1 to Ross High. Whatevs. They looked like a team that had played together for a while - and we didn’t. Because we haven’t. But we will very soon… And we’ll be getting a whole lot better very soon, so watch out! Under the expert guidance of Mel and Liv, Watsonians 4s are on their way!

Player of the Match: Jena Khol
Thanks to Fiona Robertson for umpiring