Falkirk completed the season with a hard-fought but deserved victory over Granite
City to secure 3rd place in the league. With a 4 goal defeat to avenge from
earlier in the season, Falkirk started strongly and should have taken the lead
from a penalty corner, but Davie Ferguson's shot was blocked on the line. New
club Chairman David Sharp came close to opening the scoring on his National
League debut, and another Ferguson effort was saved before Michael Watson volleyed
wide after a strong run from James Robertson. Just as it looked like the pressure
was going to count for nothing, the home side made the breakthrough. Douglas
Nicol broke up a Granite city attack and immediately countered, sending a long
pass to Watson. With one defender to beat, he picked out the forward run from
midfield of David Jewell, who advanced on the keeper before superbly sliding
the ball home. With Scott Morrison clearing the little danger that presented
itself from the Granite City forwards, Falkirk comfortably made it to the break
with their lead intact. A change of ends brought a dramatic change in fortunes
for Granite City as within 2 minutes of the restart they were level after some
slack defending from the home side. This spurred them forward and only a series
of fine tackles from Stafford Dickson and Scott Wylie, as well as a brilliant
right foot block from Morrison kept Falkirk on level terms. The turning point
in the match came midway through the half as Granite City were awarded a penalty,
but for the second home game in succession, Morrison could not be beaten from
the spot. This break allowed Falkirk back into the match, and despite a number
of good attacking moves and penalty corners, they were unable to take a chance.
With 2 minutes remaining however, Falkirk managed to finally get the winning
score, as from a penalty corner, Watson stepped inside 2 defenders before striking
a low shot through the keepers pads. Despite calls to chase a third goal, and
mindful of the last minute goals that have cost them points already this season,
Falkirk contented themselves with running the clock down by retaining possession
in the corner as far away from Morrison's goal as possible to secure victory,
and give Douglas Nicol a very creditable finish in his first season as captain.
