Match reports for 8/11/03

Falkirk GHG 2
MGM 1

With MGM one place below them in the table, Falkirk expected a difficult encounter, and although it was not one of their better performances of the season, they still managed to come away with all 3 points. Falkirk dominated the first 20 minutes of the game, and had a lot of play inside the MGM half without creating very many clear cut scoring opportunities. Arthur Robertson had a shot deflected wide and Stafford Dickson's penalty corner flick was saved, before the MGM keeper made a good block to stop Michael Watson's deflection from Calum Taylor's precise free-hit. MGM started to come into the game as an attacking force, and Scott Morrison first touch was crucial as he raced from his goal to beat the MGM forward to a dangerous through ball. This led to some sustained pressure on the home goal from the Dundee side, but Morrison was in top form as he kept the visiting forwards at bay.

MGM started the 2nd half in determined fashion, and forced Morrison into another superb block to keep the scoreline blank. This wasn't to last long as MGM opened the scoring from a penalty corner after the initial effort struck Dickson on the thigh, and the rebound was slotted home. It was difficult to see where a goal was going to come from for the home side, as all their efforts were being routinely stopped by a solid MGM defence, so it took a special goal from the stick of James Robertson to draw Falkirk level. Chris Anderson sent a pass for Robertson to run onto, and as the keeper edged out for the cross, Robertson shot from the very edge of the box to beat him at his near post. Shortly afterwards, Calum Taylor had a shot from a Penalty corner deflected wide, before Falkirk eventually took the lead from another penalty corner. Watson stepped inside two challenges and as the keeper came out, squared to Dickson who shot first time high into the net for the winning score. MGM spent the last 10 minutes trying to salvage something from the game, but all their efforts were repelled by some solid tackling from Arthur Robertson and Andy Easton. Morrison was called into action once more to make a good save in the final minutes, and as the MGM forwards raced goalwards, Scott Wylie was on hand to sweep his keepers pads and usher the ball to safety. With time running out Iain Fraser was sent through on the MGM goal, but the final whistle went before he had a chance to shoot.

Falkirk GHG II 2
Waverley Inveresk III 1

Scott Coventry was to open the scoring in this East League Division One encounter, after a well-worked corner routine involving Derek Morrison, and that was how the teams turned round at half time with Falkirk one goal ahead. Slick interpassing between Gregor Maxwell and Jonny Reid allowed Reid to slot home two make it two. A penalty corner awarded to Inveresk allowed them their goal of the game, and only terrific defending by David Sharp kept them out to ensure all the league points came to Falkirk.

Waverley Inveresk IV 3
Falkirk GHG III 2

Having emphatically dismissed the Edinburgh team with twelve goals in the cup just a couple of weeks ago, Falkirk went east expectant of an enhanced side meeting them and were not even surprised when three of the National League players from the game in front, and one from the Division One game in the morning against Falkirk appeared on the pitch, Esk opened the scoring but Jonathan Anderson soon levelled the game before the break. Ross Anderson made it two but Edinburgh came back level from a short corner award. With two minutes to go, the home umpire took a hand and awarded a penalty flick for an alleged infringement others on the pitch were quite unaware of. Needless to say they scored from this to steal the game but it left a sour taste in the mouth if that is how they wish to work in the East League.

Falkirk GHG V 1
Falkirk GHG IV 0

This game as usual inter club games was played from end to end with both sides aiming for goals all the time first the 4th X1 would bombard the 5th X1 goals and then it was the other way round. Both teams played some entertaining hockey and they both went in at half time goal less. The second half was a different story with the 5th X1 showing what real hockey is all about with the ball for the first twenty minutes being in the 4th X1's half and their goals being under siege. They finally relented through a well hit shot through from the advancing midfield which found Captain Chris Taylor at full stretch blasting two shots from ground level at Robert Thompson in the 4th X1 goal who had magnificent saves to put the ball to his right for David Humphreys to push the ball over the line for the only goal of the game. Although the 4th X1 pressurised the 5th X1 goals non stop for the next fifteen minutes it came to no avail with the very young 5th team showing that they can hold their own against the big boys. An excellent game of hockey for the club with some really good hockey being played.

[Home Page] [Results Page]