Match reports for 11/10/03

Uddingston 1
Falkirk GHG 7

After getting off the mark last week, Falkirk continued their recovery with an excellent victory against Uddingston. For the second week in a row, Falkirk wracked up an impressive 7-1 victory away from home, to push them away from the bottom of the league. Uddingston started well, and should have taken the lead inside 5 minutes when a shot from close range was illegally turned round the post, but fortunately for Falkirk, was not spotted by the umpire. With Falkirk getting the slice of luck that had deserted them in the first 2 games, they went on to capitalise, with Stafford Dickson flicking home from a penalty corner routine. A series of penalty corners then came and went for Falkirk, and the game then swung from end to end, with Uddingston just shading the balance of play. Falkirk had a couple of chances to increase their lead at the end of the half, but 2 passes fired in from Calum Taylor were narrowly missed by the forwards. This game was definitely a tale of two halves, as from holding a fortunate lead going into half time, Falkirk completely dominated the second half, scoring 6 goals. The visitors got their second goal from another penalty corner routine, Dickson's flick being saved before Andy Easton pounced on the rebound to slot home. Within minutes they had a third, Arthur Robertson firing a pass to the goalline where Watson collected and shot under the goalkeeper, before Calum Taylor rifled home his 1st of the season with a strike from the edge of the circle.

Another penalty corner brought Falkirk's fifth goal, as Douglas Nicol stepped through three Uddingston challenges, before firing an unstoppable flick into the roof of the net. With a 5 goal lead, and continuing to press, Falkirk forced Uddingston into making mistakes in defence. Douglas Nicol intercepted a clearance before playing a pass through to the unmarked Watson at the top of the circle, who squared to Anderson as the goalkeeper charged out to leave the youngster with an open goal to score Falkirk's sixth. Falkirk's last goal came shortly after, this time Paul Paton was the provider, gaining possession and passing to Watson inside the circle, who again passed to Anderson to shoot home from a narrowing angle. With the game secured, all that was left was for Morrison to gain a clean sheet. After blocking a penalty corner shot low to his right, he was within a minute of doing so, but after saving the first shot from Uddingston's last attack, he was helpless as the rebound hit an Uddingston foot, before being prodded over the line.

Edinburgh University IV 2
Falkirk GHG II 3

Despite the earliness of the start at the University's Peffermill site, Falkirk were the better side in the first ten to fifteen minutes, and so it was a David Sharp ball into the shooting circle which found David Jewell who then rounded the keeper to tuck the ball away for the opener. The students then went on to put two away to take the lead with two counter attacks giving breakaway goals to turn round a goal in the lead at the interval. Falkirk responded from the whistle determined, and a Derek Morrison through ball was sent to Gregor Maxwell, who slipped it into the net with a very deft touch to level the game. Constant pressure for the rest of the half was rewarded shortly before the end of the game when, with a penalty corner awarded to Falkirk, Jonathan Reid scored to separate the teams. Man of the match should go to Joe Trodden for monumental play in midfield.

Falkirk GHG III 0
Reivers 1

The team from the Borders went home with all the points from this league fixture at Linlithgow Academy after what was not the most inspiring performances from the Falkirk side. Pressuring from the start, Reivers found Dougie Smith up to the job at the back to keep them out, and Jamie Ballantine in goal kicking well. Danny Gibney makes such a difference to the team, driving upfield from the back, but the team could not capitalise on scoring opportunities. John Russell had the chance from a corner award to open, but it was Reivers who broke the deadlock with a good run which eluded all the defence. Falkirk tried as best they could to level, but until something can be done with their finishing, the finding of the all-important equaliser in situations like this will be a problem.

Falkirk GHG IV 4
Peebles 2

Smarting from their 8 - 1 mid week humiliation at Meadowbank Stadium at the hands of Falkirk's indoor 1st team, Peebles arrived at Linlithgow with revenge foremost in their minds. The visitors started strongly and only some tenacious tackling by the ever 'Secure' Kenny Sharp prevented an early score. Unfortunately a way through was found and Robert Thomson in goals was unlucky not to prevent the inevitable goal. Falkirk were kicked into action by this and it wasn't long before the Falkirk side drew level with a clinical short corner 'stop and strike' by Ross Anderson. Within 5 minutes it was 2-1 to the home side with Anderson this time playing the role of provider. A well worked Short Corner routine saw Ross dummy to shoot before squaring to his namesake Gordon Anderson who calmly lifted the ball over the out coming keeper for his second goal of the season. The first half petered out with both sides lacking that final ball into a scoring position. The Second half was again a mid-field battle with David Ferguson showing some lovely touches as he 'Policed' the centre of the park. the home side were now starting to press the visitors back and it was no surprise when a 4 man break involving Scott Usher and Ian Forbes saw the ball arrive at the stick of Gordon Anderson who coolly slipped the ball under the on rushing keeper. The Peebles side did not give up though and their spirits were lifted when they scored from a scrappy corner routine. Deep in the second half the Falkirk side were rocked when their 'Captain Marvel', Malcolm Taylor was felled in the Home 'D' by an over zealous, yet accidental back-swing of their striker's stick. Thankfully First Aid was administered quickly and 8 stitches later Malc' has been showing off his new battle scar to all who can bear to 'ear about it. The game re-started after a short delay and it was quite rightly another excellent short corner routine that sealed victory for the 4's. Again Ross Anderson was involved this time fooling the defence with a pass straight back to David Ferguson who rattled home what turned out to be the winner at the near post. How refreshing it was to watch a team from Falkirk score from 3 well worked and expertly finished Corner routines in one match!

Waverley Inveresk Colts 1
Falkirk GHG V 2

This was an excellent game of hockey with both sides playing some really nice hockey with play going from end to end and both defences playing to their full capacity. It was the young Falkirk side that broke the deadlock with 13 minutes on the clock and a goalmouth scramble which saw young Tom Russell flick the ball reverse stick over the outstretched home keeper. Eight minutes later, young Tom, again in the goalmouth, struck again for his and the teams second. Just 6 minutes later the home side clawed one goal back to go in at halftime 2-1 down. The second half was just basically like the first with the game going from end to end but both defences not allowing any slip-ups with saves on the line etc. Young Alex MacFadyen did score a third but the umpire blew for an earlier infringement which cancelled out the goal. Young Duncan Kehoe and Chris Thompson played some excellent hockey with harrying the opposition and defending very well. In all as said at the start an excellent game of hockey.

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