Hockey: Watsonian stopper upbeat

The former Scotland hockey goalkeeper produced at least three brilliant saves to keep his new club in the hunt against Edinburgh University on Saturday. However, Watsonians eventually lost 3-2 to the students despite leading 2-1 deep into the second-half.

Ross Jamieson netted the winner in the final minute following a penalty corner award after player/coach Graham Moodie levelled at 2-2 with 15 minutes remaining.

Johnstone had earlier kept his side in the game and his point-blank save seconds into the second-half to deny Robbie Greenhaugh and a double stop 13 minutes later from Callum Duke and Jamieson were the highlights of his quality performance. He said: “We’ve got a lot of potential at Watsonians, with a really good feeder system through from the school. We led 2-1 against Edinburgh and lost but we have two games left and we want to finish the season with two wins.”

One of them is on Saturday against Aberdeen whose player/coach Craig Harper is on a high after edging fellow-strugglers Hillhead to take a giant stride towards Division One survival.

The 2-0 victory almost certainly guarantees Aberdeen a Division One play-off spot. Borja Meissner and Martin Babicky netted Aberdeen’s goals, the first coming following a penalty corner in 15 minutes and the second ten minutes from time.

Harper’s men have new-found confidence after back-to-back wins and the former Grange player said: “Victory in Edinburgh on Saturday would be massive for us.”

At the other end of the table, Grange go top after a 3-0 win at Clydesdale but reigning champions Kelburne have two games in hand. Grove Menzieshill remain third after their 4-3 win at fourth-placed Western.