Falkirk restarted the outdoor season with a short trip across the Forth to promotion chasing Dunfermline. With a number of the usual squad missing through suspension and work commitments, and Dunfermline unbeaten this season, a hard game was anticipated. From the first whistle, Falkirk took the game to their opponents, and for the first 20 minutes, dominated the match and forced the home side to play in their own half. Chances fell to Douglas Nicol, Chris Anderson and David Jewell, making his National League debut, but despite all of the visitors pressure, they were missing the finishing touch. They were made to pay when Dunfermline scored with their first foray into the Falkirk half, when a lofted ball deceived the Falkirk defence, and the forward calmly rounded Scott Morrison to score. Despite pushing forward for the remainder of the half, Falkirk were still behind at the break, and went two goals down at the start of the second half when Dunfermline converted a penalty corner. Michael Watson had a chance to pull a goal back after rounding the keeper at the second attempt, but his goalbound shot hit a defenders foot, and despite claims for a penalty, the umpire awarded a corner which Falkirk failed to convert. The visitors eventually made the breakthrough from yet another penalty corner, Watson's strike deflecting into the goal off the foot of a defender, but four passes directly from the restart saw Dunfermline restore their two-goal advantage and nip any comeback hopes in the bud. As Falkirk pressed forward to try and salvage the game, gaps were left at the back, and Dunfermline exploited this to score a fourth and seal the game. The final scoreline was an unfair reflection on the game, with Falkirk having the bulk of the play and possession, but it was Dunfermline who handed out a lesson in taking chances to claim the points.
Falkirk GHG II 2
Carnegie III 0
Falkirk returned to there spiritual home on Saturday playing for the first time in 2004 on the Astroturf at Bathgate. After losing the previous encounter with Carnegie 3 - 2 after leading 2 - 0, Falkirk started in determined mood, and good work in the midfield from Iain Webster on his first appearance for the seconds saw Falkirk go close through Gregor Maxwell. Much of the first half was played end to end, with neither team dominating the other until David Jewell picked up the ball on the edge of the Carnegie D and led the defence a merry dance until finally slotting home via a slight touch from a defender's stick. In the second half Carnegie had chances to bring the game level, but some resolute defending from Jonathan Nugent, Willie Simpson and Jason Park not to mention a few good saves from Kevin Cummings keeping the home side in the lead. Falkirk were not to be denied their second goal, and after a good free hit from the back line by Derek Morrison found David Sharp free at the back post, there was only going to be one outcome. Sharp, calmly slotted home to the roof of the net from an acute angle to seal the win.
Carnegie IV 1
Falkirk GHG III 4
The hosts were quick off their mark in this league fixture at Rosyth with Jamie Ballantine in goal on form to pull off the necessary save. Off up the park went Falkirk and an Iain Cameron scoring opportunity was just wide of target Jonny Anderson made no mistake with his crisp shot which opened the scoring but Falkirk were not left long to dwell on this marginal lead as the Fife side levelled from a penalty corner award. John Russell had a scoring chance before Johnathan Nugent put his name on the second score. A solo effort saw Jonathan Anderson make it two to restore the lead, but the chances were there for Carnegie to come back onto the scoresheet. Mark Stewart and Stephen Macdonald created openings, but it fell to Mark Stewart to finish at a penalty corner opportunity to tie up the game.
Falkirk took control of the match early on and stayed ahead of the opposition through strong inter team spirit and some excellent individual performances. The first goal came from Stuart Gardiner who carried on his good streak of form from the previous week with another fine strike. Chas Kemp heralded his come back to the club with a goal born from hard work and tenacious play in the circle. Carnegie were not to be outdone and played well but lacked the same cutting edge that Falkirk displayed. Their keeper however deserves high praise for a sterling performance that denied a goal fest for the Falkirk side. A good win and one that stand in captain Kenny Sharp was almost content with!
The scoreline did not reflect the true game, both sides had attempts on goals, in fact Falkirk almost had two goals in the first ten minutes through Taylor up front but the attempts were just missed or just went past him. The game was going from end to end with both teams showing that the level of hockey in the third division was to a high level with adults in the visiting team having the knowledge and skills to pass and beat the youngsters from the Falkirk side but then the youngsters took the game to the visiting defence and showed that their skills were just that bit better and once they have the build and height they will be a force to reckoned with. Unfortunately Watsonians opened the scoring and followed with another two to go in at half-time 3-0 up. The second half was basically the same with the game going from end to end and the visitors adding a fourth but then for the last fifteen minutes Falkirk pressurised the visitors and got a cracking goal from young Stewart Laing who seen the ball deflect from his stick to scream into the net. Although Falkirk kept up the pressure they could not get any more goals. This was an excellent game of hockey played in the right spirit and the visiting side showed that if you play the rolling subs game it really works.| Duncan Service
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