Match reports for 24/1/04

Falkirk GHG II 3
Grange IV 5

On the astro at Linlithgow Academy, Falkirk did not show of their best with some inconsistency in their play. After Gordon Jeffrey was injured in the sixth minute, and a subsequent rearrangement of the team, Grange had them penned in their own half, and went on to take a two-goal lead in the 20th and 25th minutes. Turning round, the visitors from Edinburgh went on to add two more quick goals early in the half. Falkirk began playing catch-up. Gregor Maxwell netted from a breakaway for the first, and then a long ball in from the left from David Sharp found Gregor Maxwell ready to slot in from a tight angle for the second. Grange again increased the difference between the teams but a quick free hit from Derek Morrison through Sharp to David Jewell saw Falkirk pull another back.

Falkirk GHG III 4
Grange VI 2

Grange arrived with the required number of players to begin the game but no umpire, and asked the home side to provide one for them, which Falkirk duly did. Stephen Sutton staying back to officiate on their behalf after umpiring the previous game, however, he may have wish he hadn't after the ungracious comments he received after the game from a Grange player, which weren't the expected words of thanks! Danny Gibney blasted the ball in from a penalty corner award just two minutes into the game for the opener, and Iain Cameron made the second with a strike from the top of the circle. Grange came back in to threaten but Dougie Smith and Scott McNeill were up to it and looking good in defence. Grange came forward after the half time rest, but John Russell took the ball and nipped up the park to put his name on the third score. Grange came back in again with eight minutes to go, but from a quick hit, Iain Cameron made his second score. With two minutes left, Grange forced the award of a penalty flick when the ball was stopped on the line illegally by a defender, and they duly placed the flick into the goal.

Waverley Inveresk Colts 1
Falkirk GHG IV 2

Falkirk took a trip to the races on Saturday and won by a nose. Musselburgh was the venue for a fast paced and action packed game which saw Falkirk take on a side much changed since their last encounter, with the youth being replaced by experience and the difference showed with Falkirk having to be on their guard from the outset. Despite the constant pressure it was Falkirk who took the lead in some style, through a shot, first struck by David Park and saved, then finished by Gordon Anderson who happily took the plaudits. Clark Whitton showed he had lost none of his prowess through his prolonged absence and shone in defence and attack. Robert Thompson made some fine saves and Stuart Gardener made himself known to the home defence with constant harrying and deft touches. It remained 1-0 at half time but the home side returned renewed and invigorated after the break. They pushed hard and Falkirk did well to check their advance. Unfortunately their break came in the form of a Penalty stroke, awarded after the ball was judged to have struck the captain's foot in the D. Although strenuously contested and somewhat dubious, their umpire made it stick and it was swiftly dispatched. The heads did not go down and it was a flowing move from the back that allowed Stuart Taylor to sweep the ball home for Falkirk's second and the match winner.

Inverleith Juniors 2
Falkirk GHG V 0

This was a good game of hockey with Inverleith taking their chances when they could with a goal in each half from penalty corner routines that eventually worked. Falkirk should have had at least four goals with three being saved on the line with the Inverleith defence and one screaming past the post for the ball to have white paint on it. Falkirk lost captain Chris Taylor early on in the first half due to a stick to his nose which unfortunately forced him to leave the game to seek attention to stem the bleeding. While the Falkirk side had various shots at goals not one crossed the line, Jim MacFadyen, father of Alex and Ian, playing his first game in thirty years came the closest, receiving the ball in the dying minutes of the game to see it go past the post. A most unfortunate game but that is how it goes at this level you win one you loose one.

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