Watsonians weather the early storm

The last day of September brought the third league game for the Sonians men’s first team against Glasgow University. Unbeaten in the league so far
with two wins from two, the team were keen to add to this and put a sobering loss in the Cup two weeks prior behind them. Despite looking professional in
new training tops some members of the team were certainly looking betterthan others below the waist. Swann’s choice of hockey socks and suede
tasselled loafers drew some criticism but it was concluded that the fashion houses of the world would approve. A large crowd was in attendance,
including a few of our injured players: Jamie Mac, broken jaw and Craig Beattie, presumed to still be recovering from that “sniper attack?” Game
on.

Losing the toss for the third match in a row, Captain Swarbrick, assembled a
huddle to deliver an impassioned speech creating a positive mood for push back. Glasgow came out enthused, unusual for a bunch of students at this time of day, and following a nice build up passage of play a curving drive into the D from Uni brought about a 2 v. 1 which was put into the goal. 0-1.
Remaining calm, Sonians aimed to create a bit of possession and found themselves in the opposition D where a dubious decision was made regarding a
shot on target being awarded only a short corner when a flick was arguably the right decision. Opting for a switch to the right, the ball was received
back on the penalty spot by South African Gap Student, Madison, who put it
into the goal. 1-1. Glasgow struck next at a short corner. After an over eager Swarbrick broke the line early, Glasgow dragged it into the bottom right corner. 1-2.

Undeterred the team fought their way back into the match and hoped to bring the end of the first period in with a goal. After an initial short corner
was won and another one won half time ended with a bit of a dampener, a miscommunication lead to the wrong castle receiving the ball from the
injection and Swann suitably panicked; score line: 1-2.

Coach Leonard did not hold back at half time letting the team know exactly what they already knew- we had to be better. With renewed optimism the team
started well, levelling the scores with a rebound off a short corner being scored by Madison; 2-2. With increasing level of success coming from playing three at the back more space was being found for the Maroons. With
two goals already, Madison could feel a hatrick and stepped up with a drag flick to take the lead, 3-2. Glasgow were down, Sonians were in ascendancy.
The ball was being spread from left to right and back and vice versa. This was a confident phase of the game for the home team. A spot of rain failed
to dampen this and allowing somebody else on the goal sheet, Madison opted to give Allen a drag from another short corner. Left side of the net; 4-2.

The final goal came from some fairly scrappy play in the corner of the pitch whilst Glasgow were attacking. Picking up the ball, Cochrane put a lovely
weighted ball through a multitude of players for Heigh to pick up just over the half way line which he then took in to the D for a 1 v. 1 with the keeper. Moving it around his right side Heigh scored from a tight angle.
5-2.

Three wins from three, Sonians are in good form heading in the remainder of the first half of the season.

MoM: Madison- hatrick hero
DoD: Swann- a lack of spatial awareness