Watsonians leave Carnegie hopes in tatters

After the failure to beat Hillhead in their first play-off opportunity the previous week, Carnegie were back at the Commonwealth Games arena for their match with Watsonians, who had finished second bottom of the top table.

The Reds went into the game with confidence and they had a few early situations which could have yielded something around the Edinburgh side's D, but in a sharp Watsons raid Fraser Heigh struck to give them the lead.

Carnegie tried to get back into the picture and skipper Martin Daw and Andy Doyle threatened to get on the scoresheet but at the break they were a goal down.

The Dunfermline started the second period aggressively but they just could get on the scoresheet and another piece of opportunism by Heigh, who finished a dangerous into the Carnegie D with a spectacular reverse stick shot that gave 'keeper Matt Jones no chance.

Watsons' confidence levels rose significantly and although Carnegie kept trying to prize open the 'Sonians defence, on the day their finishing was off target.

A third goal from a short corner tied up the win for Watsonians and left Carnegie's hopes in tatters.

However, the Reds still have the the semi-finals of the Scottish Men's Place competition to look forward to on Saturday April 27, again in Glasgow.

Captain Daw commented: “The playoff games have been an excellent learning experience for the team.

"Importantly we have shown we can compete at this level but also learned what we need to do better if we are to make the step-up and retain national one status.

"We have shown we can do this in the indoor league and I am confident that we will improve for next season. The management team are already in preparation for next season and the steps required to make us a fitter and more tactically astute squad. "We now turn our attention to the Plate Semi Final on April 27 against St Andrews University before hopefully winning the final on May 4.”