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Early September, the sun was shining in Edinburgh, and ‘Sonians were back at
their natural home, Tipperlinn to kick off their National League II campaign.
With the men’s 2nd XI playing immediately before the ‘Sonians 1s, it was a good
opportunity for the boys to show some support to the rest of the club. Spirits
were high, Beachy had his slide rule and fines ledger out, and Harry Connolly
was late – so far, a predictable start.
The boys hit the pitch looking to start brightly, however vice Captain Prentice’s
Uni-esque warm up was quickly binned by coach Leonard in favour of something
more familiar. Speaking of familiar, it was good to see a familiar face returning
to the fold. After serving a lengthy ban due to a rather unfortunate penchant for
the infamous “Butler chop” tackle last season, the ‘Sonians faithful were looking
forward to seeing Craig “snake hips” Beattie back in his natural habitat.
Unfortunately, this natural habitat was back on the side line. In contrast with last
season, this was not due to an accumulation of yellow cards, but was seemingly
the result of a vicious pre-match sniper attack. As Beattie was struck down,
unleashing a cry that would have had a Banshee reaching for ear plugs, it seemed
clear that on this occasion at least, ‘Sonian’s most feted defender would be sitting
this one out. The search for the assailant continues, but with no news yet from
the surgical team, your correspondent hopes for a speedy recovery.
Some inspiring and rather sweary words from Captain Swarbrick, and the game
was underway. The early period of the game was dominated by large spells of
possession from Watsonians, freely moving between formations and moving the
ball sharply. 2 minutes in and this early fluidity yielded the first penetration of
the Falkirk D. A short corner won, and a first Scottish National League goal for
Australian signing Ben Allen. Get up in their grill indeed.
Buoyed by the early goal, ‘Sonians continued to put the pressure upon Falkirk,
however as the half progressed, and perhaps surprised by the lack of pressing
from the opposition, errors began to creep into the ‘Sonians performance.
Recognising the need to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, Captain
Swarbrick trundled down the left hand side of the pitch, his not insubstantial
stature intimidating the opposition enough that he had time to pick his man, fire
a perfectly executed reverse stick cross on to which poacher and 2 yard finisher
extraordinaire Roddy Craig gratefully latched onto. Some deliberation from the
umpires, some protestations from Falkirk, but a goal none the less, 2-0
Watsonians.
The game ebbed and flowed throughout the rest of the first half, and with Falkirk
creating some good chances, and winning a short corner it was clear that if
‘Sonians were complacent, the opposition would seize the opportunity and the
game was clearly far from won.
Vice Captain Prentice decided that passing was not for him, and after executing
some brilliant choreographed anti-skill, the ball found its way to the top of the D.
I’m not sure who got the final touch, but somehow the ball found its way into the
Falkirk net from a ‘Sonian stick.
Half time 3-0 Sonians.
The second half started much like the first, Sonian’s playing well in phases but
sloppily in others, with Falkirk’s unconventional defensive pressing style making
it a challenge for ‘Sonians to build a solid platform in what was becoming an
increasingly scrappy affair.
As the game wore on, Falkrik created some good chances, winning a number of
short corners and testing the ‘Sonians goal on a number of occasions.
Fortunately, ‘keeper Luke Campbell was alert as ever in the ‘Sonians goal and the
defence held firm.
As both sides pushed on looking for goals, frustration began to creep in on both
sides. Unfortunately, this frustration became too much for some, with former
Captain and famed lumberjack Will Butler spending 2 minutes on the sideline for
what your correspondent would charitably term a ‘clumsy’ tackle.
Shortly after, Butler was to be joined by fellow defender Jamie ‘Mayweather’
Cochrane. A tussle in the D, unseen by most, between Cochrane and a Falkirk
forward leading to both taking a 5-minute seat in the sin bin.
As the game wore on, frustration continued to build on both sides, however with
5 minutes remaining Fraser Heigh, recently returned from representative duty at
the UK School Games, popped up in the D to nudge in ‘Sonians 4th.
All in all, it was a classic National 2 contest. At times scrappy, at others sublime.
Sonians will be grateful to have opened their account, and pleased with keeping a
clean sheet, but will return to training knowing that they’ll need to improve if
they are to realise their ambition of achieving promotion to National 1.
Special mention must go to Jamie Mack. Having suffered a broken jaw in the final
pre-season game, I’m sure all the ‘Sonians faithful will have been lifted by his
presence on the sideline. We wish him, and Beattie a speedy recovery.
Final score Watsonians 4 – Falkirk 0
Man of the Match: Fraser “did he really score?” McCurdy
DoD: Will ‘choppy’ Butler