Match reports for 12/4/03

Falkirk GHG 2
Granite City Wanderers 3

In the last league match of the season, Falkirk took an early lead from an unexpected source. After good work on the edge of the box by Ian Fraser, the ball broke to left back Paul Paton, who rifled a low shot from the top of the circle into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season. Falkirk tried to capitalise on this, and forced a series of short corners, but despite efforts from Stafford Dickson, Dougie Blakeley and Calum Taylor, they were unable to find a way past the Granite City keeper. With Falkirk pressing high up the pitch, a couple of speculative long balls from the visiting defence gave their forwards two attempts at facing the keeper for an equaliser. On both occasions, Scott Morrison managed to avoid getting beaten, and held play up long enough for covering defenders to get back to make goal line clearances, firstly Andy Easton blocking a low shot before Dickson somehow produced a mid-air clearance to preserve Falkirk's lead. With Granite City defending stoutly at the start of the second half, Falkirk were unable to add to their lead, and the game turned in a devastating 15 minute spell as the visitors scored 3 goals from close range as Falkirk contrived to hand them the game. Despite solid play by Nicol, Fraser and Anderson in the middle, and more penalty corner attempts from Blakeley, Falkirk were unable to get back into the game until a consolation score in the final minutes. With the remaining 20 players watching, Stafford Dickson and the Granite City goalkeeper seemed to pass the ball between them until Dickson was bored, and he flicked the ball into the net for his 10th and Falkirk's final goal of the season.

EK Avondale 3
Falkirk GHG II 0

This was a game the East Kilbride side needed to win to consolidate their position at the top of the Regional League. Falkirk played well enough in defense but there was little on offer when going forward, and no surprise when the New Town side hammered in two unstoppable shots within five minutes of each other before the break. Falkirk fought well enough and defended well in the second half with Kevin Cummings in goal pulling off more than ten excellent saves. On their few forays up field, James Robertson produced the best chances.

EK Avondale III 0
Falkirk GHG III 4

This was the Quarter Finals of the Reserve Plate and Falkirk booked their place in the semis with a convincing enough scoreline. Although this was a comfortable victory, Falkirk made heavy weather of it in spells, and only a goal in the first half by Derek Morrison was to separate the sides at the break. Falkirk upped the tempo after the half time break, and two goals by Ross Connell, and a strike by Scott Coventry ensured the team go on to the Semi Finals of the Plate, which it transpires, will be against another Falkirk team, the Fourth eleven on Saturday 26th April.

Falkirk GHG IV 2
Grange V 0

Having played the Edinburgh side very recently in an East League fixture, Falkirk were not terribly surprised to see a markedly different team arrive at Bathgate to face them for this Reserve Plate quarter-final competition, and indeed, only two faces in the opposition had been seen in this season's league encounters. Undaunted, Falkirk went about their business and Johnathan Nugent and Jonathan Anderson set up the first score with Iain Cameron netting after two minutes had been clocked. Grange came back strongly to have their attempt at a penalty corner award thwarted by Scott McNeill and a string of impressive saves by Jamie Ballantine in goal. The second half saw a Mark Stewart shot saved before a fantastic solo run by Jonny Anderson split through the Edinburgh defense to add a second and consolidate Falkirk's lead. Further good running and inspirational play from John Russell kept Falkirk focused on the task in hand, and ensure the enhanced Grange side were to return to Edinburgh having made their exit from the plate competition.

Falkirk GHG V 3
Carnegie IV 8

This final East League fixture of the season saw a very strong Fife side go on to run riot over the Falkirk team. The Fifers opened the scoring but Falkirk soon responded with two good goals from Jonny Anderson and Stuart Gardner. Three scores from Carnegie saw them go into the second half two goals ahead. A good strike on the volley saw Stuart Gardner pull one back and there was another chance in front of goal, but Carnegie went on to further punish lapses at the back of the Falkirk side to bang in four more scores.

Peebles 3
Falkirk GHG VI 0

The last league game of the season was played on the home pitch at Peebles and would have been ideal for a rugby or football match but definitely not hockey. This was the worst pitch that the young Falkirk side had played on all season and while the ball was bouncing all over the place there is no way the skills that the youngsters had learned all season done them any good. If it was not for young Gordon Anderson in goals keeping the scoreline at a respectable level this could have been a heavy defeat. The youngsters tried all game but the experience of the home side showed on this pitch and 1-0 at halftime was a respectable score. In the second-half the home side obtained another two goals when the visitors tired and 3-0 it stood.

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