Back to back wins for Men's 3s

The Men’s 3s made it two wins on the bounce with this victory over St Andrews Uni 3s.

In truth, the scoreline doesn’t reflect the game, which was a lot more comfortable for the home side. However, tired legs and individual errors contributed to an interesting fourth quarter.

Conditions were bright but blustery as the teams lined up at Dawson Park. Grove Menzieshill managed to assemble a squad of 13, no mean feat considering it was the start of the school holidays. The team was boosted by a visit from John Christie, GMHC legend from the 80s and 90s, who was back in Dundee on holiday from Perth, Australia. Hopefully some of his magic would rub off on the home side!

Bruce Cuthill deputised for Kenny Watson as coach and there were a few changes to last week’s line-up which faced Wanderers 2s. Gav Thomlinson slotted in at CM in place of Niall MacDonald and Shaun Craig played CB, making the most of not having to umpire for a change. Finlay Spendiff was called up from the 4s to make his 3s debut.

Grove Menzieshill started on the front foot and were rewarded for their positive mindset in 7 minutes. Edward Cooper picked up a loose ball on the edge of the D and moved in to try a low shot, which cannoned off the post. LIAM STUART was on hand to pounce and make it 1-0 to the home side.

On 15 minutes, it was 2-0. Once again, LIAM STUART was in the right place at the right time to get a touch just in front of the St Andrews keeper. Finlay Spendiff then came close to making it a dream debut but was denied by the Uni keeper.

End of quarter and there was talk of the beers being on Liam if he notched a hat-trick. He came close at the start of the 2nd quarter, just failing to reach a pass in a carbon copy of the move which led to his second goal. But the home side were caught with a sucker punch in the 33rd minute when St Andrews scored out of nothing to make it 2-1 at half-time.

The team talk centred around calming things down, not playing a pass when one wasn’t on and taking more time to assess options. This paid off early in the 3rd quarter when Grove Menzieshill won a short corner and JACK SANDILANDS was on hand to find the net and restore the home side’s two goal advantage. 3-1 and game on.

Three minutes later St Andrews got one back to make it 3-2 and there then followed the scrappiest period of the match. However, just as thoughts were turning to the quarter ending, GAV THOMLINSON scored a peach of a goal with a delightful rising finish which gave their keeper no chance.

4-2 Grove Menzieshill going into the 4th quarter and it was soon 5-2. Again it was GAV THOMLINSON with another rising shot hit with real power, this time from a short corner.

Surely the home side were out of sight now? Not quite. St Andrews hit back on 59 minutes to make it 5-3, but Grove Menzieshill didn’t panic, moving the ball around and enjoying their two goal cushion. Maybe they relaxed too much as St Andrews broke down the other end and made it 5-4 with a minute left. They weren’t finished either and a mis-hit pass was gratefully intercepted by a St Andrews player who played in one of their forwards. Fortunately, he couldn’t get to it and the ball ran out to safety.

The final whistle sounded immediately afterwards and the home team reflected on another win, while Liam and Gav reflected on not having to buy a round for scoring a hat-trick. Maybe next game…