Match reports for 16/10/04

Falkirk GHG 1
Quasar 5

Falkirk lost their 100% record in spectacular fashion on Saturday after being well beaten by Quasar from Aberdeen, but remained top of the league thanks to Waverly's defeat of previously unbeaten Uddingston. The home side started badly, and to be honest never recovered. Quasar went ahead inside 5 minutes with a strike from the top of the box after a good passing move. With Stafford Dickson already missing through injury, Falkirk were further weakened when Douglas Nicol was forced out of the game with a facial injury, the Falkirk captain only lasting 15 minutes and getting 5 stitches for his trouble. Quasar went further ahead midway through the half after slack play by the Falkirk defence, and although Michael Watson forced a save from the Quasar keeper just before half time, Falkirk went into the break 2 goals down. Falkirk had a glorious chance to get themselves back into the game within minutes of the restart as Watson intercepted a pass, but Chris Anderson was unable to find the target from the resulting cross. Falkirk pushed forward to try and save the game, but a quick break from Quasar punished gaps at the back to score a third goal. Quasar's fourth arrived in similar fashion after another Falkirk attack broke down, and eliminated any hope the home side had of getting back into the game with a clinical finish that game Robert Thomson no chance. Falkirk thought they'd pulled one back when Watson shot home from the top of the box, but the play was pulled back for a Falkirk free hit just outside the box. James Robertson had a great chance minutes later, but as he was about to shoot from 3 yards, the umpire awarded a penalty corner rather than play an advantage. Falkirk were awarded a series of further corners after some crude challenges from the visitors, but were unable to convert. Watson had a good chance to score with 10 minutes remaining, but his flick was blocked on the line by the unfortunate Robertson, with the rest of the goal gaping. With Craig Gove driving the team on from midfield in the absence of Nicol, Davie Ferguson finally got the goal that the home side had been looking for, but Quasar completed the rout in the final minute with a deflected shot, and deservedly took the points back to Aberdeen.

Falkirk GHG III 1
Inverleith IV 3

Early on Inverleith opened the scoring however Falkirk were keen to get back on level terms and came close when John Russell burst through the Inverleith defence. His first shot was saved and he was disappointed to see the rebound squirm wide. In a largely uneventful first half, chances at goal were limited with some good defending by Dougie Smith and Chris Dyer. The second half got off to a fiery start with hefty challenges flying in, however Inverleith made it 2-0 following some loose defending. Falkirk came close to scoring through Stephen Macdonald and Barry Warner whilst Danny Gibney was always a threat from short corners. As the game became more physical Chris Dyer lunged into a late tackle and was given a yellow card. With only 10 men on the park Falkirk pulled a goal back from a long corner, which bounced across the D and was put in at the far post by Danny Gibney. Other chances fell to Falkirk who were disappointed not to equalise. The game became a very scrappy affair with Danny Gibney being given a yellow card and Dougie Smith and Scott Morrison both being shown green cards. At the death Inverleith caught Falkirk on the break and scored a controversial winner to put the thirds out the cup at this early stage.

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