Match Report – 24th October 2015

Pitch Conditions – Saturated

Watsonians HC 3 Kelburne HC 0

Saturday 24th October was billed as the biggest date in the Scottish Hockey calendar as Kelburne HC and Watsonians HC went head to head to try and protect their unbeaten record. Kelburne’s unbeaten record stretching back to November 2013 while Watsonians were looking to protect their equally impressive unbeaten record which stretched back to September 2014.

Everyone had completed the obligatory viewing of I am a champion and/or Any Given Sunday so few words were needed pre-game to pump the team up.

The damp pitch conditions and Glaswegian weather threaten to conspired against the boys in Maroon, who are renowned for their fast-free flowing hockey (see Match Report 17/10/2015 vs Edinburgh Uni), but the Central 1 new boys didn’t disappoint the travelling fans with a characteristically strong start to the first half. The pressure didn’t pay off with the pick of the chances falling to Duncan sliding in at the back post only for him to miss an open goal. Nothing else of much note happened until 10 minutes before half time when the Kelburne Number 27 took offence to a strong G tackle in the D and a moment of controversy ensued as an off the ball elbow struck the Watsons centre back in the abdomen, who proceed to go down with a scream more suited to Gary Neville (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6RG6yxgeFE). Sue was in a good mood and decided that a yellow card would be sufficient for the youngster – presumably taking into account that the rampant form of the Watsonians team would be too strong for 10 men Kelburne.

Positive words from Captain Miller at half time galvanised Sonians’, who toyed with Kelburne until they were back up to 11 before inflicting first blood, with McCorkall, playing in his preferred centre midfield role, finishing off a dynamic move with a flick into the top right hand corner.

No mercy was shown in the next 10 minutes with Kelburne struggling to keep up with the high press, which had been demanded by Daw at half time. The cries from Kelburne to ‘"keep playing the way we do" (sic) went well for Watsons as the ball was picked up in the deep and put through the keepers legs by Kappa to make it 2-0. It was all one-way traffic from then on and a third goal was scored to seal the victory although I can’t remember who by.

I’m not sure you could describe Kelburne as having several chances towards the end, with only really one of note, which was a reserve stick shot, which hit the post. James probably had it covered anyway. Sonians played out the final few minutes in relative comfortable although Duncan was lucky to get away with a vicious two-footed lunge in the dying minutes.

The final whistle sounded and the boys in Maroon were the victors and preserved their unbeaten record.

Shower beers were enjoyed, it appears Kelburne do not always have the ability within their squads to get a result, the unbeaten streak continued and shockwaves were sent through Scottish Hockey.

#webeattalent #bleedmaroon #canweplayyoueveryweek

Goals: McCorkall, Kappa, McGowan

Next game vs Grange (A) Scottish Hockey District Cup