5-3: M2s vs Watsonians 2 (District Cup) - 06/03/22
Hillhead men’s 2nd XI welcomed fellow Regional league rivals Watsonians 2s to a sun drenched Old Anniesland, with the prize of a place in the Scottish District Cup semi finals up for grabs. With both teams sitting in the top six in their league, Watsonians were two wins ahead of Hillhead and a recent 4-0 win against the Glasgow men installed them as bookie’s favourites on Sunday. Hillhead welcomed third XI regulars Alan Meikle, Andrew MacLaine and Andrew McGucken aka the three AMigos in to the squad and were boosted by a rare appearance for the effervescent Andrew Hilton. Watsonians travelled West with a twelve man squad mixing youth and experience.
The match began fairly cagily between the two sides who knew so much about each other with Watsonians on balance the more threatening team moving forward. On top but without really testing Iestyn in nets Hillhead soon found their rhythm and began to impose themselves on the game. Despite a fairly even start to the match Watsonians took the lead, with a well taken second phase effort at a penalty corner. The next five minutes were sketchy at best for Sincy’s men as Watsonians built on their early goal and pushed to double their advantage. Hillhead stood strong and defenders Wilson, Graham, Horgan and Sinclair proved a match for some cutting edge attacks. Weathering the storm Hillhead emerged unscathed and proceeded to find a way back into the match courtesy of a classic striker’s finish from Mr poacher himself, Chris Wilson. With this goal came parity and a belief that had been lacking until its arrival. It was not long before Hillhead had turned the game on its head with great build up play rewarded with a Craig Hilton flick past the hapless Watson’s keeper.
HT:- Hillhead 2 – 1 Watsonians
Having reinforced the threat that their opponents posed Hillhead knew only to well the importance of a third goal and set out cautiously in search of a two goal cushion. Unfortunately it was Watsons who stole in to level the match with a 3 v 1 coolly executed and drawing the scores level. Watsons had started the second half positively with some personnel and positional changes and a higher press causing Hillhead some problems. Watsons completed their own mini comeback with a third goal moments later, much to Hillhead’s utter bewilderment.
Yes the mini collapse was inopportune, however, Hillhead had enough of a control of the game to see a way back into the contest. Calm, controlled and composed build outs were making the Edinburgh men cover a lot of ground and with time came more gaps in the final third as the small squad tired. Hillhead got a deserved equaliser, albeit its legitimacy contended by Watsonians, with Sincy sliding the ball in to the net. Game on. With Hillhead rolling their subs effectively they suddenly looked the fresher and more threatening team and limited Watsons to counter attacks by and large.
Hillhead’s dominance was rewarded as they re took the lead with Masters player and machine Andy MacLaine deflected neatly to put Hillhead 4-3 up with ten minutes to play. Stick or twist? Ah twist! Hillhead sensed blood and continued causing problems in attack. With a number of attacks well handled and repelled the award of a PF was a welcome relief as Hillhead pushed to restore a two goal cushion. Much to the sub’s benches dismay irregular set piece man Marcus McIntyre Kemp stepped up to take the important stroke. The lack of faith in his bottle was unfounded as he coolly slotted the ball to the keeper’s right post. 5-3 Hillhead with eight minutes to play. Let’s just say the last eight minutes were hairy, with Watsons squandering four penalty corners, thanks on one hand to an excellent defensive corner routine and some mis-timed routines.
On balance Hillhead edged the contest just and took their chances, but on another day lady luck may have favoured the Edinburgh men. An intense match, with no quarter given, Hillhead now march on to the National semi finals where some more big guns await.
FT:- Hillhead 5 – 3 Watsonians
Thanks to the umpires for their control and forbearance throughout. That is more a personal statement than a team one!