Match reports for 24/4/04

Falkirk GHG 3
MGM 2

With no possibility of promotion or relegation for either team, there didn't appear to be much to play for in this end of season game, although it ended up being a keenly contested match with little to separate the sides. MGM started the game strongly and made good use of an aerial attack to try and disrupt the Falkirk defence. A fine save low to his right from Scott Morrison only delayed the first goal, as MGM took the lead shortly after from a penalty corner flick. Further blocks from Morrison prevented MGM from increasing their lead and enabled the local side to play their way into the game. Some strong runs from Douglas Nicol were abruptly halted on more than one occasion, but although penalty corners were not awarded, Falkirk equalised from one of the resulting free-hits. With Nicol taking the hits himself, his ball into the box may have taken a deflection on it's way into goal, but with the Falkirk attack claiming it, Jonny Anderson was credited with getting the vital "touch". An impressive debut from Derek Morrison helped to keep the Falkirk defence solid, and although both teams spent the remainder of the half on the attack, there were no further scores. Like the first half, MGM started strongly again, and took the lead from a penalty flick after Dickson was penalised for the ball striking his chest. With MGM in the ascendency at this point, it was a strong defence from Falkirk, relying heavily on Morrison in goals, that prevented them from falling further behind. A mazy dribble past 4 Dundonians from Arthur Robertson was brought to a halt with a waist high tackle, and although no card was produced, it served to take the pressure off the Falkirk goal. The spurred Falkirk on to create the second equaliser from a penalty corner midway through the half. A wild push out drew the onrushing defenders off their line, and with Watson managing to pull the pass across the box to Dickson, he had the time to fire the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards. A through ball from Nicol almost let Michael Watson into score, but the MGM keeper made a good block, before minutes later denying the Falkirk striker again by dashing out of his area to clear. With the game heading for a draw, Falkirk stole the points in the final minute. Arthur Robertson made a fine interception in the middle of the park and passed to Watson on the right wing. His driven cross evaded the goalkeeper, but found Chris Anderson drifting into position, who slotted home from 5 yards to give Falkirk a well deserved victory.

Graeme High School 2
Falkirk GHG V 2

With their League and Plate business over for the season, the Falkirk Club were delighted once again to take up the invitation of the Falkirk schoolboys to join them for a friendly match prior to the start of their SQA exams. The late call-off of the schoolboy keeper saw the Club at very short notice, call up Robert Thomson, a former Deputy Head Boy of the school in the mid-90s, and no doubt his position in goal for the schoolboys helped them greatly, As well as making a more challenging game for the Fifth team. The Schoolboys defended well and it was time before Chris Brodie opened the scoring. Chances were always there for Brodie, Stewart Laing, and ten-year old Andrew Malcolm, who always enjoys these chances to play with the club side, and skilfully forcing the award of a penalty corner against the schoolboys, but which did not realise a score. After the school side levelled, another by Brodie again put the adult side ahead, but again the school levelled, and as both sides fought to break the deadlock, chances went untaken by both sides. Duncan Kehoe ran tirelessly at the defence, helped by David Humphreys who had a sitter available to him to put away, but it was not to be. In the end, the schoolboys held on and a draw was a good result for them.

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