Match reports for 8/2/03

Falkirk GHG 3
Clydesdale 7

Falkirk started very well in the first game of the day, with Iain Fraser scoring inside the first minute. This wasn't to be a good omen, as Falkirk were unable to add to this for the remainder of the half. Despite having a number of chances, goal line clearances and last ditch blocks denied the local side more goals, whilst Clydesdale were converting chances at the other end and went into the interval with a three goal advantage. A stronger second half performance gave Falkirk a glimmer of hope, Watson hit the crossbar with a lob over the keeper and despite two set piece goals from Stafford Dickson, they were unable to catch up to Clydesdale. Robert Thomson had an encouraging performance on his National League debut in goal, but was unable to prevent Clydesdale adding three more goals to their total to run out comfortable winners.

Falkirk GHG 6
Watsonians 8

Whilst the score line looks close, up until the 34th minute, this performance ranked as by far the worst of the season so far. After losing a goal within ten seconds of the match starting, Falkirk struggled to match their Edinburgh rivals and seemed to be unable to answer any of the questions asked of them. More goals were lost as passes went astray, and despite Watsonians clearing two penalty corners off the line, Falkirk's only consolation was to come from Ally Wilson, scoring after a mazy run round several defenders. Nothing seemed to be going right for the local side, and at 7-1 down with 6 minutes to go, it was fast becoming damage limitation. The nature of the match then changed dramatically within minutes. Ally Wilson scored what looked like another consolation goal, before beating the keeper and squaring for Michael Watson to score Falkirk's third. Watson then got his second, converting Douglas Nicol's pass, before Wilson scored twice more to bring the deficit to one. Falkirk then got their 6th goal in three minutes, only for the umpire to disallow Wilson's equalising score. This proved to be the turning point as Watsonians gathered themselves and converted a penalty corner to give them a two-goal lead. Watsonians then managed to keep Falkirk at bay for the remaining two minutes to escape with the three points, leaving the local side to reflect on what might have been.

Alloa 6
Falkirk GHG III 3

For the first twenty minutes of this game at Goldenacre in Edinburgh, Falkirk could only be described as fantastic. The hockey was fast and breathtaking and the first goal came after two minutes and a good move in midfield which saw the ball reach Gregor Maxwell in the circle. After beating the last defender, Maxwell slotted the ball home with a reverse-stick shot. The onslaught continued with Joe Trodden tenacious in the tackle and Ross Crerar was linking defence to attack with subtle touches and crisp passes. A good move involving Derek Morrison and James Robertson sliced open Alloa once again and Maxwell stunned the last defender with a skilful turn to bullet the ball into the bottom corner. Falkirk thought they could do no wrong and the third goal was inevitable, coming from a short corner. The move broke down but the ball reached the back post where Derek Morrison slotted home with a clever finish. Something must have happened. Thereafter hosts Alloa went on to slot away six breakaway goals.

Reivers 7
Falkirk GHG V 0

The long trip to Galashiels proved to be something of a disappointment for Falkirk who started the game with Douglas Blakeley in goal as the arrival of last carload was awaited. He took much consolation from the fact that all the goals that later went in were after he had vacated the space between the uprights to the regular goalminder. Falkirk did have chances to do something with the game, when Stuart Taylor, Ben Brewer and Ross Connell made openings, and Blakeley sending useful balls upfield, but no one could finish. In the end, ineffective marking and poor clearances from defence were to prove costly.

Inverleith B 5
Falkirk GHG VI 0

The young Falkirk team went to the very cold and windy Currie High pitch and suffered due to the weather, with one of the youngsters going off in the second half with hypothermia and another getting their head hit with the ball and forced to leave the pitch for their own safety reducing the Falkirk side to ten and nine year old Andrew Malcolm who really played very well in holding up the ball so the Falkirk forwards could get up to him to get the ball. The game followed the usual pattern against Inverleith and the home side went in at 3-0 at half-time. The second half resulted in Falkirk fighting back with various shots at goals being saved by the home keeper. The final score was 5-0 to Inverleith and could have been worse if not for Craig Malcolm in goals pulling off his usual excellent saves. Young Andrew Malcolm played the whole of the second half due to players injuries, and he showed that he does have the potential for the future.

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