Men's U16's

 

2008-09

Scottish Cup Finals

The U-16s had to dig deep after a very long weekend of hockey to play in the Scottish Cup Finals at Peffermill on Sunday. After a school game on Thursday, winning the East Cup on Friday night, a school game on Saturday morning and for some a Central 1 game for the 2s on Saturday afternoon it was a miracle this team could walk far less play hockey by Sunday morning.

The first game was against the Champions Kelburne but they were a weakened side due to senior cup commitments. Nevertheless they were, as you'd expect from Kelburne, a well organised team and it took a great finish from David Thornton to open the scoring before John Kosman then added a 2nd before half-time. Sonians continued to control the game and deservedly doubled the scoreline by the end thanks to a Duncan Riddell double.

The second game was against Bon Accord and it was a very one sided affair although at least keeper Pete Brown got to make a save in this one.The scoring in this one was again opened by Thornton and Riddell succeeded from the spot where Jake Hibbert had failed earlier in the game to make it 2-0. In the second half a neat finish from Rory Price was the meat in the sandwich of 2 more Riddell strikes with the skipper helping himself to a hat-trick to make the final score 5-0.

The afternoon took an unexpected turn against Wanderers with a tiring team unable to match the pace of the Dundonians although luck was definitely against them. A lovely drag filck finish from a short corner was the first goal that Sonians had conceded on the day and throughout the qualifying and a second before half time left them with a mountain to climb. Sonians were twice unlucky with their own short corners with an eagle eyed umpire deciding the ball hadn't left the D before the strikes that ended up in the goals had been struck. The final score of 3-0 to Wanderers meant a huge task ahead in the final game.

Clydesdale were unbeaten at the start of the game and Sonians needed to win by 3 goals to win the tournament so the the task was made almost impossible with an early Clydesdale strike. This was followed up by the goal of the day when the Clydesdale striker flicked the ball up and volleyed home giving Brown no chance in the sticks. It turned out to be the tournament winning goal and it was well worthy of that. It was very pleasing to see that Sonians kept battling and a Duncan Riddell goal gave them a glimmer of hope but it was not to be this year and the Silverware goes West again, with Wanderers the runners-up.

The boys can be very proud of their efforts, especially the way they won the East tournment on Friday without conceding a goal.

Sunday 25th January

Watsonians 2, Menzieshill 3

Sunday 11th January

Dougie White's charges suffered their first defeat of the season against a very good Menzieshill team in Stirling. In an excellent game, 'Sonians took the lead with a very well taken goal by Fraser Price but then conceded and it was 1-1 at half time.

2 early goals at the start of the second half gave the boys a mountain to climb but a full press for the last 15 minutes was rewarded with a great run and finish by Jake Hibbert. Unfortunately this was not enough to take the points but Dougie was delighted with the response of the team to going behind and felt they deserved a point.

Thanks to Andrew Robertson for umpiring and Mark Allison for managing the team.

Watsonians 12, Dundee Wanderers 1

In awful playing conditions at Forthbank, Stirling, Watsonians won their second game of the new SHU U16 league with a convincing 12-1 thrashing of Wanderers.

'Sonians started well and were in complete control throughout, leading 5-0 at half-time and although Wanderers got a deserved goa for their effortsl in the second half the 'Sonians camp can be very pleased in the manner of the victory with some excellent play throughout.

The goals came from Man of the Match John Kozman (6), Danny Cain (2) and a goal each for skipper Duncan Riddell, Jake Hibbert, Chris Allison and young Rory Price.

Thank you to Andrew Robertson for umpiring and driving and to the other parents for driving and standing in the rain!

Sunday 7th Dec

Watsonians 6, Dunfermline Carnegie 0

Watsonians Mens U16 team won their first game in a new SHU league at Stirling University today, convincingly beating Carnegie 6-0. It was a great team performance with the goals coming from man of the match Duncan Riddell (2), Jake Hibbert (2) and a goal each for Chris Allison and Fraser Price.

The team coached by Dougie White and Graham Johnstone will be looking to continue this form for the rest of the league. Dougie commented that the whole team had impressed but, "Special mention should go to Rory Price and Peter Akyol who are only in Second Year but both played very well."

Thanks also to David Sweetman for umpiring and the parents for drivng the team to Stirling.

To read about the League click here