Watsonians Cup Run Ended by Feeder Team

After a commanding display in the previous round against B.Y.E. HC the inform Watsonians were looking to extend their exciting cup run against the stiffer opposition of Edinburgh Uni. With Peffermill hockey centre somehow managing to stick to their previously agreed schedule for the Halloween weekend and avoid the horror-show cock-up that befell the Watsonians ladies last week, play got under way in front of the packed stands of pitch 1.

A fired up Edinburgh Uni team featuring a number of future (hopefully) Watsonians stars came out of the blocks all guns blazing and caught the boys in maroon by surprise with their intensity. The early breakthrough was made in what some would call fortuitous circumstances as the normally solid Watsonians back four were unlocked by some exceptional ‘anti-skill’. The bobbling ball fell kindly to McCrossan at the top of the D, who fired into the roof of the net on the half volley past the on-rushing Cambell. In light of recent events one should clarify that this was Aedan McCrossan playing for Edinburgh Uni, not Craig McCrossan who has proven more deadly from 12 yards from the Watsonians goal.

With the west city boys working hard to get back on level terms the men in green took advantage of some misfortune on behalf of the clean-shaven Beattie. A well-worked move down the right brought a D penetration that was converted into a goal when young (?) Beattie lost his stick and was unable to tackle the Edinburgh Uni forward. The ball played across the dirty zone was converted by one of three Edinburgh players lining up to convert.

A fight back was needed from the Watsonians team and they showed good character to get back into the game. Some excellent work from within his own half and a marauding run down the left from Connelly led to a reverse stick pass into the D. A half clearance by the keeper was pounced upon and followed up by some composed work in the D as Sands forced his ball through the dirty zone to the excellent Brown at the far post to convert. 2-1 back in the game. A second comeback goal from the stick of Nicolson was denied by the umpire blowing for a short corner before the keeper was megged. However, the ensuing short was not converted with the previously prolific Sutherland on the bench with an injury that would see him miss the second half. Before the injury fully took hold however, there was just enough time for Sutherland to enrage an opponent with an innocent attempt to get to an aerial which saw the Edinburgh uni player shown a green card for his totally unjustified and aggressive reaction*. (*This may not in truth be factually correct.)

The Watsonians feeder team continued to run relentlessly and pull the visitors out of shape, but great defensive work and pressing gave Watsonians encouragement towards the end of the half. However, an unfortunate blow of the third goal came just before the end of the half with an exceptional piece of individual skill being finished with a cheeky lob to find Campbell’s one weakness. 3-1 half-time.
The second half started with a change in tactics from the visitors to negate the uni’s deep mid fielders. Some initially tireless running in defence was followed by some very tired running as the uni boys remained patient on the ball and worked the Watsonians defence. Nevertheless, with a better defensive set-up the National 2 side were able to contain Edinburgh Uni although Campbell was forced into a number of fine saves. Butler’s otherwise unblemished disciplinary record was unfortunately tarnished by an innocuous looking challenge that led to two minutes on the sideline.

Eventually, the heroic collective defences were breached for what proved to be the final time as the hosts extended their lead to 4-1 in fortuitous fashion. After junior McCrossan lifted the ball into senior McCrossans face, the latter was penalised for what can only be assumed to be having his face in the wrong place. From the resulting short corner a fine attempt to clear the lines by Hollis resulted in contact with his foot as the ball was turned away from goal. Unfortunately the umpires deemed the ball to be travelling towards goal and subsequently awarded a penalty flick that was converted.

The hosts had a goal disallowed as they continued to press, and rare forays by the visitors did not bear fruit as the game drew towards a close. Unfortunately, the final 5 minutes were marred by an ugly spat involving the youthful Fraser-Harris and the exemplary umpire. Characteristic ill-discipline and poor anger management led to a despicable outburst from the youngster against perceived injustice at the hands of the impeccable umpiring on show. Although the boys in maroon were reduce to 10 the rest of the game passed without incident and Edinburgh Uni ran out comfortable winners 4-1 ending the Watsonians cup run.
Perfomances of note included Connelly and Campbell, while an excellent performance by the goal scoring Brown saw just reward with the MOM award.

MOM Jamie Brown
DOD Gus Fraser Harris