M3s vs Watsonians 6

A game for the ages that had it all. With the opposition starting well on top thanks to their strong passing game the team was up against it, but holding on, 0-0 at the end of the first quarter despite not having much of the play.

Deadlock was broken in the second quarter, first blood to the blue team, with a lovely through ball from Ross Mayberry picking out an excellent base line run across the area from Charlie MacLeod for a very tidy finish. The opposition hit back in more ways than one, with a goal of their own from a low drag flicked penalty corner (after having one chalked off for dangerous play). This was followed by an injury to Hamish Hutchison, leaving the field with a suspected broken finger and a trip to A&E for the afternoon…we wish him a speedy recovery. HT 1-1.

Things opened up a bit more at the start of the third quarter with the teams getting familiar with each other, leading to the first Green Card of the game, for our opening scorer, for deliberately disrupting play…a tough one to take, but a two minute time out nonetheless. As he returned to the pitch the perfect response was given by creating a mini overload picking up a defensive clearance from Ross Mayberry to round defender and keeper for another very tidy finish. That prompted a response from the opposition who resumed their passing game with vigour and gained an equaliser before the end of the half, but not before some very fine saves from Duncan Service in goals. HT 2-2.

Things really got going in the 3rd quarter and a tactical switch to push Alastair Gault higher in the midfield yielded rewards first, winning a penalty corner and the resulting switch right to Adam Cybulksi with an excellent take giving him his first goal of the day! Not to be undone and now with a high press the opposition defence started to creak giving Adam Cybulski his second chance of a goal, which was clinically taken! 4-2 at the end of the 3rd quarter, with the clean finishing starting to pickle some opposition heads!

The 4th quarter provided even more drama with things continuing at an even more frenetic pace…the opposition pushed hard to get back in the game. First another injury to Alastair Gault, cracked on the toe and having to hobble off for a break and with no subs down to 10 for a couple of minutes with him eventually hobbling back on with no sympathy given 😞

The game continued to stretch and FALHC continued to show their class in front of goal foraying forward and following good play down the left Captain Mitchell Drummond played a ball from the top of the opposition 25 to a now one legged Alastair Gault on the base line who squared to Adam Cybulski to flick top corner and complete his second half hat-trick!

Not done their the push from the opposition saw the pressure build again and another green card… this time for FALHC forward Adam Gardner, dissent the reason given…quickly upgraded to yellow as he was leaving the pitch.

Back down to 10 men, the game was seen out and the 3 points secured to much celebration…and a very hard earned win.

A lie down needed for some and back to the Rose Club for others and a Pie and Pint to dissect the game with everyone now looking forward to ESM next weekend. Some game.