Men's 3s sparkle after damp squib of a first quarter

Another week, another win for the Men’s 3s. However, this was not as assured a performance as last week’s vs Harris.

A couple of late call offs meant Kenny Watson had to call up 2s players for the second week in a row, possible due to the 2s having played on Friday night. The Duncan brothers, Findlay & Angus, obliged this time around.

The first quarter was one to forget for the 3s. Their play was disjointed and sluggish and time and again they were caught napping when Madras pushed forward, usually through Iain Colwell. Only keeper Xander Swan could claim to have put in a shift, making several crucial saves and keeping his team in the match. Poor ball retention and loose marking would eventually cost the home side however, when Madras opened the scoring on 16 minutes.

Some harsh words were delivered by Kenny at the break and the team took the field for the second quarter in no doubt that they’d have to do better. And they did just that, with a much more cohesive and hard-working display right from the whistle. Their renewed focus was rewarded in some style on 30 minutes when marauding centre-back FINDLAY DUNCAN entered the Madras D, twisted and turned beating three Madras players before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. Surely a contender for goal of the season.

Into the third quarter and the levels set in the second quarter were maintained. Passing and movement were much improved, and Findlay even found time to put the Madras #10 on his backside with some fine skill.

It was truly the FINDLAY DUNCAN show when he scored his and the team’s second on 40 minutes, this time from a penalty corner.
Ollie Holden was keen to get in on the act, giving an exhibition on the left. Brian McGarrity also showed great skill at times and Owen Hutchinson covered every blade of astroturf.

However, the home side didn’t have it all their own way and they received a reminder of Madras’ threat at the start of the final quarter when Xander had to make a superb diving save to maintain the slender lead.

After that scare, the 3s were able to breathe that bit easier on the hour mark when STEVEN ROME continued his fine run of goalscoring form to make it 3-1, converting a great pass from Edward Cooper at the back post.

Madras did pull one back to make it 3-2 with only seconds left, but the boys in blue had done enough to collect the points.

After the early misfiring, a 3-2 win was welcome on a grey and wet day.