Match reports for 25/1/03

Falkirk GHG 2
MGM Sports Club 6

On their return to indoor after a 6 week winter shutdown, Falkirk got off to a terrible start against one of the top sides in the league, losing 2 early goals and lucky not to be further behind before they woke up and started to fight back. The first goal came from the stick of Chris Anderson, touching in Douglas Nicol's shot after Michael Watson's run and cut back opened up the MGM defence, before Stafford Dickson powered in a shot from a penalty corner award to tie the game. Falkirk weren't level for long though, MGM retaking the lead before the break. At the start of the 2nd half, the local side missed a chance to equalise again, failing to convert a penalty awarded after Andy Easton's goal bound shot was illegally blocked on the line. As the game swung from end to end, Falkirk were unlucky not to capitalise on penalty corner awards. Firstly Stafford Dickson's effort was stopped on the line, before Watson 's shot from the top of the box was deflected over the bar. Whilst Falkirk were missing at one end, MGM were scoring at the other, and ended up running out convincing winners.

Falkirk GHG 4
Prontoprint Wanderers 8

Falkirk went into the second match of the day hoping for a repeat of the victory they achieved against Wanderers before Christmas, but with Dundee's mid-season squad strengthening, and Falkirk having lost Arthur Robertson to injury, it was Wanderers who came out on top. Falkirk didn't do themselves any favours in the first half, losing 4 goals before putting the Dundee defence under any sort of pressure and pulling 2 goals back before the break. The first score was a carbon copy of the first goal in the MGM game, this time Iain Fraser converted the cross from Watson's run, with Watson scoring the second with a reverse stick shot after Dickson's pass. The deficit was reduced to 1 at the start of the second half, a quickly taken free hit from Nicol was deflected off the post by Watson. Chris Anderson was first to react to the rebound but his shot was kicked off the line, allowing Stafford Dickson to score from the penalty spot. This was as close as the local side came, as despite a series of blocks by Stephen Egan, Dundee increased their lead. Falkirk pulled another goal back with Watson's second reverse stick goal of the game, but Wanderers scored the final goal to secure the win and the 3 points.

Strathclyde University 6
Falkirk GHG II 1

A strong university side overran the local side on the artificial surface at Millerston, Stepps. With a team weakened by injury, there were few chances such that Uni were three ahead at the break. The second half saw Johnathan Nugent feed Graham Miller with the ball but his shot was wide, and then the consolation score came from a penalty corner award when Robert Sutton netted. Scott Coventry had an excellent clearance off the line.

Falkirk GHG III 1
Edinburgh University IV 0

The goal that mattered came in the fifth minute with a ball from Johnathan Nugent to David Sharp playing up front who rattled it into the bottom left corner of the goal. With good distribution from Stephen Sutton at the back, and a Paul Paton save off the line, the Uni pressured all game but had to return home without a point for their efforts.

Watsonians III 1
Falkirk GHG IV 0

Jamie Ballantine in goal had some very good saves and Willie Simpson and Scott McNeill played well at the back. Danny Gibney harried away, but the team conceded a goal and it was not possible to pull themselves back into the game.

Waverley Inveresk IV 2
Falkirk GHG V 0

Under the new leadership of Malcolm Taylor, the fives made the long trip to Mussleburgh hoping to make an impression on the Edinburgh side, and succeeded in holding them for the entire first half. How it might have been different had this ten-man team not been letdown by one of their number who simply failed to show on the day. A good performance from Alistair Mitchell in goal, and Billy Brankin, both now returned from injury, helped the team effort, and on the break, Falkirk did look dangerous. However, after the break, Esk netted from a short corner after seven minutes, adding their second 6 minutes from time. Falkirk seemed to visibly tire in the second period, but nevertheless did not give up.

Watsonians IV 6
Falkirk GHG VI 1

The young Falkirk side went to Edinburgh with a bare eleven to face a home side, which had a pool of sixteen players, which enhanced their play. With the previous game drawn 1-1 the Falkirk side thought they would be in with a chance to take a point home with them but this was not to happen. Watsonians opened the scoring within 15 minutes but Falkirk replied with a goal from Gregor Maxwell, which he took from the halfway line on a mazy run through five, defenders to slot it passed the stranded home keeper. The home side stepped up their play through help from their umpire to go in at half-time 4-1. Although Falkirk stepped up the pressure in the second half and came close with attempts on goal from Taylor, Maxwell, Webster and Humphreys all the decisions went against them to frustrate the game. The home side scored another two but unfortunately while both teams played the game fairly the home umpire's decisions left a lot to be desired and this was remarked in the apology from the home captain at the end of the game.

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