Match reports for 10/1/04

Falkirk GHG 5
Dundee Wanderers II 9

Falkirk defied the pre-match goal rout predicted in the Dundee press to put in a spirited performance against local side Wanderers, but despite giving a good account of themselves, they came away from the game pointless. A freak goal that rebounded off the crossbar and the back of Robert Thomson gave Wanderers the lead, and they extended this by two further scores from penalty corners. Falkirk failed to capitalise on a man advantage after the Dundonians keeper was sin-binned for an off-the-ball altercation with Ally Wilson, but once the keeper came back on, it was a different matter. Ally Wilson got his first of the day with a shot from a near impossible angle, before a strong run from Douglas Nicol allowed Michael Watson to tap in from close range. The experienced Dundee team got their revenge on Wilson when he was sin-binned for a second warning, but unlike Falkirk, they took advantage of the extra man to take a 3 goal lead into half time. Falkirk started the second half very strongly, and clawed their way back into the game with goals from Arthur Robertson and Wilson. By the time Wilson completed his hat trick, Falkirk had missed a penalty and Wanderers had netted a further 3 goals, before securing the game in the final minute when the first really slack pass of the day from the Falkirk defence was punished to give the Dundee side a flattering margin of victory.

Falkirk GHG 1
MIM 2

Falkirk put in their best performance of the season against MIM in an extremely low-scoring second game on Saturday, but didn't manage to get the result their play deserved. With play swinging from end to end, both keepers had to be in top form to keep the scores blank. Robert Thomson had his most impressive game of the season in the Falkirk goal, saving everything that MIM could throw at him, before eventually succumbing to a quick free-hit that had left the Falkirk defence exposed. Falkirk piled pressure on the MIM goal through a series of penalty corners, but were unable to find a way past the solid defence. MIM could have doubled their lead before half time when slick play left them with an open goal, but Stafford Dickson made an amazing mid-air block on the goalline that drew applause from the watching spectators. Sensing an upset was on the cards, Falkirk pushed forward at the start of the second half, and equalised after Wilson's mazy run left space for Douglas Nicol to slot home. Wilson almost gave Falkirk the lead with a chance right in front of goal, but took too long and the danger was cleared by the MIM keeper. The next Falkirk chance fell to Wilson again, but he tried an audacious reverse stick flick from a tight angle, when a cut back to his team mates might have been the better option. MIM almost took the lead just after from a penalty corner that for once Thomson couldn't block, but the effort was cleared off the line by Watson to keep the scores level. With time running out and both keepers in superb form, a draw looked likely, until an intercepted pass in the final minutes allowed MIM to break through the Falkirk defence and slot past Thomson to gain the points.

Carnegie III 3
Falkirk GHG II 2

In their first outing after the festive break, Falkirk looked as if they were well on their winning way with a two-goal lead. William Simpson hit the ball in at a corner award and Scott Coventry was there at the back post to prod the ball into the net. Kevin Cumming again pulled off wonder-saves to keep the slate clean, and then James Robertson added their second, Again from a short corner award. With the midfield not as effective as could have been hoped for, it was no surprise when Carnegie pulled firstly one back after a corner award, and then a second. The game continued to be balanced on a knife-edge, three or four chances later, Carnegie did go in front just thirty seconds from the final whistle to claim the league points from this game.

Falkirk GHG III 2
Carnegie IV 4

The Fifers looked as if they would give the Falkirk side a hard time, but it was Falkirk who took the initiative when Raymond Biggerstaff forced the ball over the line after a goalmouth melee to create the opener. Carnegie came back to level, and ran through the Falkirk defence who had no answer for their pressure and scored. Dougie Smith, newly returned after being sidelined for more then six weeks with an injury to his hands, produced an impressive clearance off the line, and Craig Malcolm in goal cleared the ball well. Carnegie came back into the game after the award of a penalty flick against them saw this duly converted. Jonny Anderson put Falkirk ahead again, but poor defending saw Carnegie again level the game. Despite good saves by Craig Malcolm, the visitors managed three further scores to seal the game.

Graeme High School 6
Falkirk GHG V 3

Having no league game, the adult club were delighted to have the chance of a friendly to blow away the cobwebs after their festive break. Depute head boy Scott MacNeill gathered together a team from the school, most of whom do not play regularly, and it was embarrassing as the School side went into a three-goal lead over the ten-man Falkirk side, thanks to two goals by Alastair Nayer, and a short corner award converted by MacNeill himself. Scott McKirdy lent to the Club side by the school played well in defence to prevent further scores. Chances were there but Falkirk could not find the net. With the arrival of Craig Malcolm at the break to release Johnathan Nugent from goals, Falkirk went forward with confidence, and it was no surprise when David Humphreys found the net. Stuart Laing made the second after a good run, and then Christopher Brodie levelled, adding his second soon after. Other chances were there with Gary Smith and ten-year old Andrew Malcolm forcing their way forward, with John Galloway unlucky at a corner award. Nugent went through the defence and eluded Craig Callahan in goal to score, and finally Iain Webster drove into the circle to tie up the game. A good performance from the schoolboys who fought hard, with Gordon Forbes, Alastair Naye, Jack McGinlay and Stuart Hamilton playing really well.

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