Livingston & West Lothian vs Colts

Livingston and West Lothian vs Watsonians Colts.
With our first fixture against Livingston being postponed at the start of the season, the league table had shown them growing in strength, with a number of recent results going their way. The only solid information we had on the opposition was that they had dropped out of the central leagues two years ago and were now, like us, starting from the bottom again.

After battling the weather to make it safely to Livingston, the Colts would have to ready themselves for a bigger battle than anything ‘Mother Nature’ could throw at them.

The game would start as it would continue, with a couple of early physical challenges. The Colts settled into their passing game, which had been growing from strength to strength. Working the ball up the left flank and into the D, the Colts won their first PC of the game. Option 2 would be the call, not giving away too many of our secrets, the ball was slipped left to Murray Cannon, who slid the ball back across the goal, for Danny Tandon to tap home. 1-0.

This goal would spur the oppositions ‘competitive’ spirit, with more physical challenges, the Colts midfield baring the brunt. Fraser Heigh could have made it two if only the Livi player hadn’t screamed at him just as he was swinging for the ball.

The half would finish 1-0, which seemed a good scoreline for the Colts the way the game had progressed. Halftime talk would focus on keeping up our passing game and trying to draw the opposition apart by holding our width; also the next goal could be crucial in such a tight match.

The second half had the Colts pressing high up the field. Livingston were pressed back into their own half, with most of the team behind the ball. Their only outlet was a long ball up to the quick (yet humorless) forward, who managed to get onto the end of one of the balls making it 1-1.

This would not faze the Colts and within minutes Fraser Heigh had dribbled from the half way line, cutting a path through the flat-footed defence and sticking the ball into the corner. 2-1.

The umpires had had enough of some of the agricultural tackles and had started to issue warnings. The next warning would come to Sam Gibb, after rushing out, one on one, against the attacker. The young keeper would protest he got the ball (and protest and protest and protest), however the umpires thought differently and awarded the Penalty Flick. It would be dispatched making the score 2-2. With flick being taken, it gave captain Waugh the time to rally the young Colts, with a passionate speech that the game was ours if we worked hard for it. M3s captain, Duncan Bell would have been proud.

With just minutes remaining, it looked like the points would be shared. Again the Colts spirit shone through. With our defence breaking down another hopeful Livingston attack and instantly broke back up the right. The ball would work across to the left, Fraser being involved again, passing to Waugh at the top of the D, who would reverse stick the ball back to the right were Calum Wood could pick up in space, get his head up and slap the ball between the keepers legs. 3-2 and the final whistle would follow.

Yet another great team performance. The Colts held themselves together against a very robust opposition, showing a lot of heart to keep playing right to the very end. Great win and for a second match in a row Calum Wood picks up the ‘Man of the Match’ award.