Match reports for 6/3/04

St Andrews Uni 2
Falkirk GHG 1

Less than a fortnight after St Andrew's were fined and docked points for failing to fulfil their first fixture against Falkirk, the local side had to travel to face the university side on their own patch. With a sizeable student support partaking in liquid refreshment on the touchline, it was going to be a difficult afternoon for the visitors, which wasn't helped by the arrival of two replacement umpires. With the students keen to make amends for their loss of points, they took the game to Falkirk and forced Scott Morrison into some crucial blocks early on. Falkirk eventually found their way into the match, with Douglas Nicol testing the keeper with a strong flick. Just before half time, a free-hit from Steve Sutton was deflected towards the bottom corner by Michael Watson, but the St Andrews keeper made a good save, before blocking Davie Ferguson's follow up. With neither umpire being able to award a penalty corner in the first half, it came as a pleasant surprise when Falkirk opened the scoring from the first awarded in the second half. A strike from the top of the circle was saved initially, but James Robertson was on hand to take the ball round the keeper and slot home. Falkirk seemed to go backwards after this, and attacking options became limited. St Andrew's equalised from a flick at a penalty corner, despite a brave effort from Graham Miller to clear on the line. For the second week in a row Falkirk lost the game in the final minute of the match as possession was given away, and the students took the chance to score the winner from another penalty corner.

Edinburgh Uni III 2
Falkirk GHG II 2

Falkirk travelled to Peffermill for the game against the students in determined mood, knowing that a victory would see them rise to third in the league. Both teams started well, but Uni soon took the upper hand and from a short corner that should never have been given, found the back of the Falkirk goal to take the lead. This sparked a spell of pressure from the home team, however Falkirk defended well with Scott McQueen, playing his first game for the 2nd's, showing he is well worth a place in the team. It was from a Uni attack that Falkirk scored. The ball was won by Scott McQueen who played a ball up the wing to Ross Crerar, after some neat play involving Crerar and Gregor Maxwell, Davie Sharp was on hand to prod home a diving effort, after first hitting the post. The second half was more of the same, with the home team having the better of the game, but not managing to finish any chances. And again from a break away Falkirk went up the park and won a short corner. From this skipper Derek Morrison stepped up to thump the ball into the net from the top of the D. Despite there best efforts though this was not enough for the Falkirk team to come away with the victory, and the students equalised with 10 minutes remaining.

Falkirk GHG III 1
Edinburgh Uni V 0

On the Bathgate astro, Falkirk kept a strong head in the first half, playing a more defensive game, with the memory of their 5 - 0 trouncing earlier in the season away from home, and the knowledge Edinburgh had brought four players through from their thirds morning game in Edinburgh against Falkirk. Strong challenges from the midfield by brothers John and Tom Russell, Amrit Dhillon and Johnathan Nugent, were backed up by precise challenges at the back by Chris Dyer and Dougie Smith and of course Jamie Ballantine in goal to deny the visitors the opener. Early in the second half, a good break by Jonathan Anderson saw him put the Falkirk side in front as he clinically finished off the move to slot home after a one on one with the keeper for what was to be the only goal of the game. A later chance by Anderson went just by the post.

Falkirk GHG IV 0
Livingston II 3

Falkirk hoped to emulate their emphatic win but it was not to be as they faced a side determined to progress to higher things in a lower league. Livingston started strongly and persistent pressure on the Falkirk defensive line saw them go one up and then two up in a relatively short time. Despite impressive performances from Billy Brankin and Gordon Anderson it was not to be, and the first half proved to be a battle lost. If it were not for some stout defence the score could have been one echoing a rugby match rather than a hockey one. Graeme Pitcaithlie and Kenny Sharp played excellently giving the visitors a challenge from the outset. The second half proved more of a balanced affair and the visitors were lucky to score and not concede. Falkirk came close but unfortunately it was not to be their day with the vital point going to their close rivals. Jamie Stoddart had a short run out after a long injury but even he couldn’t dig out a win for the Falkirk side. One ray of sunshine on a rather dull and dismal day was the good news that the Anderson household had expanded by one, however Holly wont be up for selection for some time to come!! The Fourth XI would like to wish the whole family congratulations and all the very best for the future!

Falkirk GHG V 0
Peebles 2

This game was too even to call but it was Peebles that took their chances and got a goal in each half. Falkirk took the game to the visiting side but they could not link the pass from midfield to the forwards who most times were in open space to produce the elusive goal, in fact the Peebles keeper actually touched the ball, in play, about four times, each one a save to put it past the posts. It looks like the Falkirk side peaked earlier in the season and they still have another strong game against the league leaders next week away from home which should be interesting. Although Falkirk used the running subs fresh legs did not help, again too little too late.

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