Match reports for 15/1/05

Falkirk GHG 5
Eastbank 4

In an exceptionally tight match, Falkirk finally came out on top to record their second victory of the campaign. Eastbank opened the scoring, but a Kevin Russell strike from the top of the box quickly gave Falkirk an equaliser. A second Eastbank goal was cancelled out by Ally Wilson shortly before half time, and Robert Thomson made a series of crucial blocks to make sure that the teams were level going into the break. With both teams going all out for the win, the play flowed from end to end. Eastbank regained a single goal advantage twice but Falkirk were determined to hang on ,and equalised on both occasions, firstly from a Stafford Dickson penalty corner, and then from the stick of Ally Wilson. Falkirk passed up a glorious chance to take the lead for the first time in match when a Dickson penalty stroke flew inches wide, but the local side eventually got the winning goal with a couple of minutes remaining. An angled ball down the boards from Michael Watson was picked up by Douglas Nicol, who went on a strong cross court run, and his pass found Ally Wilson on hand to complete his hat-trick with a reverse stick flick. Strong defence from Falkirk made sure that they weren't going to let this lead go, and in the final minute, Nicol calmly retained possession to ensure a valuable 3 points for Falkirk's battle against the drop.

Falkirk GHG 5
Harris 9

After a spirited performance in the first game of the day, this was a poor display, with some of the team perhaps thinking the job had been done in the morning. Harris opened the scoring and increased their lead with 4 more goals before Ally Wilson finally got Falkirk off the mark. A sixth goal for Harris gave them a comfortable lead at half time, however, and gave Falkirk a mountain to climb to get back into the game. Chris Anderson pulled another goal back for Falkirk, but 3 further strikes from the Dundee side tied the games up. Michael Watson, Douglas Nicol and Ally Wilson all managed to find the net in the last few minutes to give the score a bit of respectability, but it was too little too late.

Edinburgh Uni V 1
Falkirk GHG II 2

The second eleven got back to winning ways after the winter break strolling out 2-1 winners over Edinburgh Uni's 5th eleven away from home. Falkirk played some silky hockey with every man working hard for the whole game, a well organised defence & mobile midfield gave the Falkirk front line some good scoring opportunities. Davie Sharp scored once in each half, his first being a cute lob from an acute angle dropping just inside the home keepers' far post. Uni equalised soon after with a driven short corner past the outstretched Falkirk keeper Kevin Cummings and Derek Morrison, unable to get enough stick on the low shot to prevent the ball crossing the line. The second half saw Falkirk again attack with aplomb with winger Ross Connell bringing out an excellent save from the Uni keeper from close range. Davie Sharp secured both points for the Falkirk side late in the game with persistent pressure in the home team penalty area. Falkirk calmly soaked up Uni pressure with perfect tackling from Gordon Jeffrey, Graham Miller and Jason Park at the back, the Falkirk midfield of Neil McFadyen, Ross Crerar, Craig Gove & Ross Connell gave the Uni no peace forcing errors. A rattled Uni side lost their cool receiving 2 yellow cards for bad conduct and Falkirk remained composed to win the game as a team, working hard and communicating positively, they made their captain proud.

Falkirk GHG III 4
MIM II 1

After a very enjoyable Christmas break, the 3rd XI returned to league action with a home fixture against MIM 2. The match got off to a quick start with both teams pressing to get the early advantage. Falkirk managed to convert their pressure into chances with Danny Gibney and Iain Cameron both coming close early on. At the other end Dougie Smith was in complete control at the heart of the defence, winning every tackle. Falkirk looked the more dangerous side and so it was John Russell who scored the first goal of the New Year from a now familiar right hand side long corner routine. The ball fell into the path of Russell whose shot deflected off the defender and into the net. Falkirk soon made it 2 thanks to some brilliant build up play from Mark Stewart. The midfielder hit the goal line before putting in an excellent cross for Tom Russell to apply the deftest of touches to nutmeg the goalkeeper. Into the second half and MIM came out the sharper of the two teams, creating several excellent chances with Falkirk having Dougie Smith and goalkeeper Jamie Ballantine to thank for keeping them in the game. At the other end Danny Gibney hit the post from a short corner as Falkirk tried to score a decisive third goal. Eventually Falkirk made it 3-0 from the penalty spot. A short corner was met by Jonathon Nugget who forced it goal wards only to see it stopped on the line by a defenders foot. Danny Gibney stepped up to take the resulting penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way. Despite being 3 goals down MIM always looked dangerous and were pushing forward to try and get back into the game. This left space at the back which Falkirk exploited. Iain Cameron played the perfect pass onto the stick of Barry Warner who touched the ball past the keeper to make it 4-0 and compensate for his earlier miss. MIM worked hard in this game and deservedly pulled one back but it was to be too little to late as the 3rd XI started 2005 in good style as comfortable winners.

Falkirk GHG V 1
Heriot Watt Uni II 4

This was definitely a game of David and Goliath as the visitors had 14 players but no umpire while the home side supplied both who were of a high standard, which was unfortunate, as the tackles which Falkirk had been getting away with for a few weeks were picked up as they should have been, this was a lesson in playing hockey. The students played some excellent hockey and showed how it should be played with 2 goals in the first half and 2 in the second they then took their foot of the gas and a through ball from the right found captain Chris Taylor in their D to slot it past the unsuspecting uni keeper, a consolation goal but it did upset their clean sheet record.

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