Match reports for 23/11/02

Falkirk GHG 2
Aberdeen GSFP 3

Having got back to winning ways the previous weekend, the local side knew that a victory would put them within touching distance of Aberdeen's 2nd place in the league going into the winter shutdown. A flying start saw them take an early lead, Steve Sutton deflecting a cross into the bottom corner, and despite having a good deal of pressure in the Aberdeen half, Falkirk were unable to add to their lead. This proved costly as Grammar fought their way back into the game, and 2 goals in quick succession saw them take a lead into the interval. Falkirk almost scored directly from the restart of the 2nd half, a last ditch block by a back pedaling Grammar defender preventing Watson's cross from finding Sutton for what would have been a tap in. The equaliser did arrive midway through the 2nd period, Douglas Nicol flicking home after a series of penalty corners. The parity was short lived, as within a minute, Grammar retook the lead, a hopeful ball from midfield eluded the Falkirk defence and was deflected in from the back post area. The rest of the half was almost total Falkirk pressure on the visitors goal, and despite having sufficient penalty corners to win a number of matches, good goalkeeping and staunch defending meant that none were converted.

Falkirk GHG III 1
Erskines Melvilles II 1

The visitors from Edinburgh were reluctant to begin this league fixture on the Bathgate astro while they awaited their keeper and some players from their first team game in Edinburgh who were allegedly caught up in traffic, but the game did go ahead ten minutes late without them. Missing several of their usual line-up, Falkirk soon settled well, Ross Anderson did the preparatory work for Falkirk's only goal of the game from Gregor Maxwell, while Melvilles despite several corner opportunities, could only manage a single score. Falkirk had the chance to break the deadlock with the award of a penalty flick, but David Jewell only managed to strike the goalpost with his flick.

Falkirk GHG IV 6
Falkirk GHG V 2

When two club sides meet in a league encounter, it can sometimes be a tousy affair. However, for the twenty-one players and two umpires who did turn up, this had the signs of being a good competitive game until it was realised that the goalkeeper for the fifths had failed to show or say he wasn't coming! There was nothing else to do but for Kenny Sharp to don the helmet, the only kit available, and do his best under the circumstances, unpadded against the shots that were fired directly at him. The Fours soon ran up a 6-goal lead by half time, with scores by Ben Brewer (2), Barry Warner, (2), Craig Callahan, and Iain Cameron.
Jonny Anderson was dangerous up front and pulled one back for the fifths, and in the second period, the ten-man team rallied and set about some serious hockey such that no further scores were conceded, despite playing a man short. Kenny Sharp had some good clearances, and there was good work from Graeme High schoolboys Alan Jenkins, and debutant Mathew Morley. Stuart Gardner made a brilliant comeback in midfield, showing he has not lost any of the skills he showed in the past. The fifths second score came from a well-worked corner routine with the ball hit out to John Galloway, for the square pass to Jonny Anderson who easily put the ball away for the second, and such was their pressure, a couple more could have followed if the game had gone on a little longer.

Falkirk GHG VI 1
Erskine Stewarts Melville III 1

Falkirk with a young team outplayed the adults from Edinburgh for a good 60% of the match and although went in at half time 1-0 down, the second half produced some excellent passing and shots at the oppositions goals. The Falkirk goal came in the second half from well worked play form Captain Chris Taylor again on the receiving end of a through ball which was goal bound and pushed over the line by young Stewart Laing to ensure it was in. Taylor also tackled the goalkeeper on one occasion and was unlucky to score. The forward line of Duncan Kehoe, Alex McFadyen, Stewart Laing and Taylor ensured that Erskines were always going back to defend. The home defence of Gordon Anderson, Roddy Dow, Calum Waterson and Chris Thompson with again special mention to goalkeeper Craig Malcolm ensured that the game was played from end to end. This was an excellent result for the 6th X1 who really upset the adults from Erskines who unfortunately expected to win comfortably.

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