Final Score: Won 4-2
Goals: Matt Boyd (2), Neil Shaw, Tao Macleod
Assists: Matt Boyd, Neil Shaw (2), Mackenzie

Stew Mel’s out-WIT-ted as sun shines on Bangholm!

So the good signs began as I was surprised to find myself early for the pre match scheduled meeting of 1.30pm. (The first time this season). Only to be shocked to find Neil Shaw and Kevin Jackson-Barnes had trumped me for arrival times.

With a full complement of players well in advance of the push back time, and no game before hand WIT 3s took to their pre match warm up with the usual gusto present for the whole season, that’s to say in dribs and drabs going straight to the D to display our less than accurate shooting skills, myself included.

After 10mins of settling in both teams began to pass the ball crisply around the park and that pre match warm up must have worked as we as a team were working hard for each other on and off the ball.

Neil started as he meant to go on, and made another drive run with the ball deep into Stew Mel’s midfield and due to a lack of understanding between myself (running the wrong way) and Neil (clearly shocked at the sight of me actually running) could of had a free shooting opportunity. Still the omens looked good. The first half played the same with both sides having good opportunities to score, big Frank in goal making some fine saves.

Alas ( or maybe AT LAST) half time arrived with the score a stalemate 0-0, we all gathered to compare notes and bond as only team mates can!!. I will admit that I have been dubious of Tao’s performances this season but I will say this, his motivational skills are top notch. With the huddle about to break to restart the game Tao chose his moment of glory, upstanding he chimed;

“Guys, listen if we can score first in the second half we’ll be in the lead!!”

So the second half started on a positive from Sir Alec and WIT resumed their outstanding display, Terry rampaging from the back, Young Alex, And Jim making last ditch tackles to deny certain goals Andy Forrest rediscovered his youth and with a smile on his face terrorised the Stew Mel’s right back on occasion, midfield was an engine room to drool over. If only I could actually hit the ball at the goal for a change.

Low and behold Tao’s Nostradamus-esk prediction came true, and with 10 mins gone Neil once again drove at the defence, then past the defence and away from goal. I was beginning to despair, when Neil promptly drove a reverse stick effort at me and not the keeper. With no time to think (and more importantly some very important self-preservation in mind) I stuck my stick in front of my not so small physique and played a nice outside edge from hip height and through the keepers legs. A goal deserved of the team effort to that point.

This opened the flood gates it seemed as after 5mins we broke from defence with some lovely passes and I was through on the keeper, but Stew Mel’s ever present centre back arrived and I was forced onto the back stick, trying to emulate noels rasping effort I swung and connected not very well on the reverse stick only to see it trundle under the keepers foot. Tao made a spectacular effort in what can only be described as an effort to clear it of the line (or poach a goal) but it was a yard over the line and I claimed my second.

At this point Stew Mel began pushing more forward and myself, Tao and Mackenzie found ourselves in acres of space, and with some accurate passing from Angus I broke into the D on the right hand side with only the keeper to beat. My eyes lit up at the chance but as the keeper advanced I unselfishly swept the ball to the back post to Tao, who somehow managed the cleanest, sweetest connection and swept in a sitter. Queue the joyous but slightly deranged celebrations of the keeper playing upfront.

The mood was spoiled slightly as we found our 3 goal leads quickly reduced after the restart, but then regained the 3 goal lead almost instantly with Neil and Dave going for the same ball , with Neil arriving first he duly dispatched the ball into the open goal. Then cam panic station as we conceded a goal and then Stew Mel’s were awarded a Penalty Flick, Franks moment to shine had arrived and boy did he take it, with a lightning fast dive low to his left big Frankie boy saved the corner bound effort to maintain our two goal lead. The last 10 minutes where all hands to deck as we defended furiously, to preserve our lead,

The full time whistle blew and WIT 3s had managed to notch up their first win of the season, to the joy of every players effort throughout the whole season. A lot of people went home with a very big smile on their face that day and as for man of the match there wasn’t one as the whole team gave everything they had and to raise one above all would be unfair.

Well done guys, a fantastic result for our hard work and persistence this season.