Match reports for 27/3/04

Aberdeen GSFP 3
Falkirk GHG 3

Falkirk made the long journey north to face Aberdeen Grammar in Inverurie in their penultimate away fixture, and returned with their first draw in 2 seasons. With the team availability changing on a weekly basis, Douglas Nicol called upon Jonathan Nugent to make his national league debut, and was glad he did after the youngster put in an accomplished performance in the right back slot. Against a team reduced to 9 by a traffic hold up, Falkirk made a terrible start, failing to put any sort of pressure upon the home goal. Ironically, once Grammar got their full compliment, Falkirk had the better of the play, with Jonny Anderson forcing the keeper into a good block. Falkirk lost the opening goal to a breakaway, but were soon level after Anderson reacted quickest to a penalty corner rebound to knock home his first national league goal. Falkirk were unlucky not to take the lead when Jonny Anderson deflected Chris Anderson's cross past the onrushing keeper, but the ball just flew wide. Just before the break, Falkirk lost a second goal to a deflected penalty corner, and after a disappointing first half littered with mistakes, were not surprised to be behind. A frank half-time team talk had the desired effect as Falkirk stormed out at the start of the second half and turned the game on it's head. A strong run from Nicol almost brought an equaliser, until the ball got stuck in the keepers pads on the goalline, but this was only a temporary respite for Aberdeen. Another run and cross from Nicol was deflected into the air before being spectacularly converted by Jonny Anderson for his second of the match. Chris Anderson missed a chance to hand Falkirk the lead after his close range effort spun off the post, but soon turned provider when a mazy run from the left touchline was fed through to Jonny Anderson who shot under the keeper to complete his hat-trick. Despite having the majority of the play for the second half, Falkirk were unable to get a fourth goal to seal the match, and in the dying minutes, Aberdeen struck again to salvage a draw.

Falkirk GHG III 2
MIM III 0

On this, their last league outing of the current season, Falkirk were unable to make any headway in the first half. The game was evenly contested, with some good hockey being played in the right spirit, but it was to be into the second period before determination eventually saw the ball into the circle for Iain Cameron to score the opener. Scott McNeill had yet again another good game, and Douglas Smith and David Craig were keeping things tight in the middle. The goal to tie up the game came from a short corner award, when John Russell hit out the ball to Amrit Dhillon, and interpassing between the two which then saw Russell put the ball across the face of the goal for Amrit to put the ball into the net.

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