Match reports for 14/2/04

Falkirk GHG 4
Clydesdale 3

An understrength Falkirk met a full squad from Clydesdale in the first match of the day, with the winners guaranteed division 2 hockey next season. Falkirk started nervously, and only a series of misses from the Clydesdale forwards and fine saves from Robert Thomson kept the scoreline blank. Midway through the first half, Clydesdale did manage to take the lead after an uncharacteristic error in defence, and that lead was doubled soon after with a strike from a penalty corner. Chris Anderson got Falkirk back into the match just before half time as his persistence was rewarded with a tap in, and Falkirk levelled at the start of the second half through an Ally Wilson penalty corner. Another strike by Wilson gave Falkirk the lead, but Clydesdale hit back immediately to tie the game at 3 a piece. A goalline block from Wilson at a penalty corner prevented Clydesdale from taking the lead, and the game looked to be heading for a draw when, with 2 minutes remaining, Iain Fraser popped up to score the goal that avoided relegation, and keeps Falkirk safe in division 2 for another year.

Falkirk GHG 4
Hillhead 5

In the last match of the season against the division 2 champions, Falkirk continued their post-christmas progress with a solid performance. Falkirk took the lead through Stafford Dickson's penalty corner flick, but couldn't hold on and found themselves behind as Hillhead replied with three strikes of their own. A deflected effort from Chris Anderson into the roof of the net was cancelled out by 2 more Hillhead goals, before Anderson netted his second after good build up play involving Wilson and Fraser. With Robert Thomson finishing the season in fine form to deny Hillhead any further scores, Ally Wilson scored Falkirk's last goal of what eventually turned out to be a very successful indoor season.

Grange III 3
Falkirk GHG II 0

Grange VII 0
Falkirk GHG IV 6

Falkirk feared they would be out of place on the Grange grass pitch but proved they could adapt with a resounding victory. The first goal came inside the first five minutes of the match through a diving slide by David Sharp, who also claimed the second for his own despite the protestations of Ross Anderson. Stuart Taylor struck with the third and final goal of the first half with a well placed shot that left the Grange side dazed and down by three at half time. The home side refused to give in and fought back hard but a solid defence from Falkirk kept them at bay, Russel Sommerville appeared to have got back to his roots on the grass pitch and showed some skill in frustrating the attack. Robert Russell was on the green green grass of home with a fine display harrying the Grange wing and breaking up frequent attacks. Then Ross Anderson produced what was to be the goal of the match, with a textbook finish into the roof of the net, definitely one to tell his children about! Topping of a fine performance Iain Webster scored the fifth, whilst Ross Anderson proved to David Sharp that anything he could do so could he, with his second and Falkirk’s sixth. Although soundly beaten the Grange side were the perfect hosts and both teams agreed that the score was surpassed by the game and the post match entertainment.

[Home Page] [Results Page]