Match Report – Saturday 7th November – Gents 1s

Uddingston 3 – Watsonians 1

Unbeaten Watsonians tasted bitter defeat on Saturday afternoon at the hands of an ebullient Uddingston Mens’ 1s team.

The 3-1 scoreline was flattering to Watsons as it could, and probably should, have been 5 or 6 goals to Uddy with Watsons barely managing a shot on target.

This was Uddy’s finest performance of the season underpinned by towering displays from Angus Sinclair, captain Jedd Campbell and Euan Gilmour. It was an afternoon in which the entire team made significant contributions in a group effort of such a high standard it is unlikely any club team in Scotland could have matched it.

In defence, Uddy reinforced their reputation as being virtually impregnable. Watsons’ much vaunted Charlie Jack, one of the top goal scorers in the league this year, found no space at all in the Uddy D and was barely noticeable for most of the game. The Watsons’ attack was routinely funnelled down the wings and into the corners where it floundered.

In the counter attack, Uddy were sensational and unlucky not to have converted a whole string of opportunities. Several outstanding saves by Watsons keeper Luke Campbell kept the Edinburgh team alive and clinging on. Watsons were fortunate indeed to reach half time still locked at 0-0.

But it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened, and two quick field goals towards the end of the third quarter from Euan Gilmour and Ewan Hutchison and one early in the fourth quarter from Joe Russell all but sealed the match in Uddy’s favour.

Gilmour made probably his finest contribution to Uddy since his arrival over the summer, scoring a goal with a back stick flick, assisting in two and being a constant threat in and around the Watsons D. Uddy used the aerial ball spectacularly well in this game, fizzing long balls to safety from the backline and picking out descending passes cleanly and dangerously from the grey Edinburgh sky time and again.

Uddy newcomer Ellis Shanks showed what he can do against quality opposition and looks a real talent. He was determined in hunting down possession, used the ball wisely and was deservedly voted man of the match by his teammates. Luca Gardiner had an outstanding game in the midfield, ably supported with superb individual performances by Will Searl and Andrew Clark.

Watsons were no slouches as their team is brimming with experience and talent. Tommy Orr was majestic in the midfield. At times, it’s as if everyone around him is playing in slow motion. He just seems to know where players are going with the ball and picks off possession like taking sweets from children.

At the back, Euan Burgess was brilliant, difficult to get past, assured on the ball and constantly driving forward. Ubiquitous Jamie Boardman also had a fine game while evergreen Duncan Riddell held Watsons together with his on-field intelligence and slick skills. In spite of all this evident talent and a grim, collective determination to quash the Uddy threat, Watsons just couldn’t find a way through and, in the end, were humbled by a superior team.

It was a ground hog day repeat of the equivalent game last year when unbeaten Watsons were sitting on top of the premier league and were taken down by Uddy in their own backyard by the same 3-1 scoreline. In that game too, Watsons never stood a chance. This year, Watsons only goal was a penalty stroke, too little too late, in the fourth quarter. The shot which hit Uddy’s Steven Mackenzie was adjudged to have been going towards the goal, hence the stroke however many wondered if it was indeed going wide.

For the rest of the game, every Watsons attack, including five penalty corners, was stifled efficiently and ruthlessly by the Uddy defensive group. Campbell, Sinclair, Finn Halliday, keeper Nic Hadland, Mackenzie and James Smith surely represent the best defensive unit in the land. They have now conceded just five goals in seven games with three of those games against top opponents in the form of Edinburgh University, Western Wildcats and now Watsons.

The win this weekend signals loud and clear that Uddy, still unbeaten after seven games and lurking dangerously in third place in the league with a game in hand, are in it to win it this year.

If they continue to play like they did in the Peffermill gloom on Saturday afternoon, there is no team in Scotland who will find it easy to unseat them.

Adrian Hadland

We stream our Saturday games live on our dedicated YouTube channel, UddyTV. Make sure you check out the latest game here – Uddy Hockey YouTube. 

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