Match reports for 15/3/03

Falkirk GHG 2
Uddingston 1

Whilst the margin of victory appears slight on paper, in reality, Falkirk should have won this game far more easily that they eventually did. Falkirk made a strong start to the match and put the Uddingston defence under almost constant pressure for the first 20 minutes of the match. Another fine performance by Douglas Nicol in the heart of the Falkirk midfield was the starting point for a series of attacking moves from the Falkirk right wing, but solid defending and some poor final passes saw these break down. The deadlock should have been broken after a Blakeley penalty corner was saved, and the follow up from Watson illegally stopped, but Stafford Dickson's penalty was blocked by the Uddingston keeper. Falkirk did take the lead shortly after, Dickson firing a pass through a series of sticks to the back post where Watson scooped the ball into the net. An injury to Arthur Robertson forced a midfield reshuffle, and this allowed the visitors into the game for the first time. Falkirk concentration was broken as they contested a series of Penalty corner decisions with the Umpire, and Uddingston took their chance to equalise after a deflection wrong footed Morrison in the home goal. Solid defending from Easton and Paton denied Uddingston the chance to capitalise further, and they made it to the break level. Half time arrived at exactly the right time for the local side as they started the second half in the same manner as the first. With Calum Taylor filling the left midfield berth, and Sutton and Dickson mopping up the infrequent Uddingston attacks, Falkirk went back to the pace of Nicol and Fraser to exploit gaps on the Uddingston left. This tactic brought a number of penalty corners for Falkirk, a Dickson flick was cleared over the bar before Dougie Blakeley scored what proved to be the winning goal with a strike into the bottom corner.

Giffnock II 2
Falkirk GHG II 2

Falkirk started this Regional League game well on the astro at Mearns Castle, with several good passing moves and it was no surprise when they took the lead with a well-worked routine and clinical finish by Ross Anderson. Falkirk continued to play impressive hockey with Iain Fraser playing outstandingly, but however Giffnock pulled a goal back midway through the first half. Falkirk retook the lead with a well-struck shot by Robert Sutton from a penalty corner award, and in the second half, Falkirk created several good chances from good play in midfield involving Neil McFadyen and David Jewell, but failed to make anything from this. A short corner award struck by Robert Sutton was disallowed for allegedly being hit from outside the circle, and later Giffnock made another goal against the run of play to level the game.

Falkirk GHG III 3
MIM III 0

Falkirk met their league rivals in the plate competition on a sunny Saturday morning at Bathgate and began strongly. Falkirk had had the measure of MIM in recent league games and this was no different. Falkirk spent the first half playing some lovely passing hockey which took MIM apart several times but the only surprise was that Falkirk only had one goal to show for all their efforts when the interval came, this goal coming from a terrific free hit by Derek Morrison which was guided home by the young Ross Crerar. The second half was a more even affair, but Falkirk limited MIM to half chances while creating good opportunities themselves. Jonny Reid and Scott Coventry made good use of the counter attack, with Coventry combining with Captain, and top-scorer Gregor Maxwell. After several one-to-ones between them, Maxwell slotted through the keeper's legs for the second. It was end to end stuff now but the result was sealed when Maxwell set up Jonny Reid to flick home from the edge of the circle.

Aberdeen Bon Accord MBC III 1
Falkirk GHG IV 1
Falkirk won 2-0 on penalties.

In this last-16 round of the reserve plate competition at Keith Park in Aberdeen, Falkirk put out their usual strong side. Having made the long trip north, a superb strike at a short corner award by Barry Warner was disallowed, before a single goal from Warner was enough to salvage a one-one draw for Falkirk which took the match to a penalty corner shoot-out. Barry Warner and Stephen Macdonald scored from the penalty spot and the inspirational Jamie Ballantine in goal didn't even concede a goal to the Aderdonians, showing the class play he is so capable of producing and has done on so many occasions this season.

Inverleith Juniors 2
Falkirk GHG VI 0

Falkirk played strongly from the start with some good opportunities from penalty corners to go in front, and good work by the forwards, which saw the award of a penalty flick, which regrettably was not converted. Falkirk were caught by the counter-attack and the Edinburgh side went in front despite the best efforts of Craig Malcolm in goal. In the second half, Falkirk continued to push ahead, but the goal was to prove elusive. Good work from Ben Brewer and Gordon Anderson, and Stuart Bell at the back, was helped by young Andrew Malcolm who even had a shot at goal, but another goal by Inverleith put the game out Falkirk's reach.

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