Match reports for 19/2/05

St Andrews University 2
Falkirk GHG 2

Falkirk GHG II 1
Edinburgh Uni IV 1

Reivers 3
Falkirk GHG III 0

Going away to Galashiels is never an easy visit for any team, but new 3rd XI captain Scott McNeill was faced with a problem when 5 regular players were unable to make the trip to the borders. These problems were only worsened with several games within the club playing at the same time. Fortunately for the 3rd XI, Joe Trodden and John Galloway both agreed to give up their afternoons to play and umpire. The game itself was a non-event as far as the Falkirk was concerned. Missing so many key players they were immediately under pressure from the start, and went a goal down to a controversial short corner which was well finished. To their credit the 3rd XI were not down and out, and had a very good period of pressure, which resulted in a goal from the stick of Mark Stewart, only for it not to be given. That was a turning point in the game with Falkirk players becoming frustrated and losing their tempers with team-mates. The second half was even less eventful as Falkirk struggled, with only a good penalty flick save from Jamie Ballantine in goal worth mentioning. All in all a very poor afternoon for Falkirk 3rd XI with the 3-0 scoreline a reflection on a poor game.

Heriot-Watt University II 2
Falkirk GHG IV 1

Falkirk 4's travelled through to the Royal High pitch for a game that one could only describe as disappointing. The bouncy nature of the pitch did no favours for either team but early pressure from the home side was soaked up by the 4th's back line. Good pressure late in the first half produced Falkirk's goal by an inspired Alan Jenkins. The second half was one that found Falkirk wanting. Unforced errors were the order of the day, some doubt surrounded Watt's first goal and tempers on pitch only made the mistakes worse. The last second of the game saw a short corner awarded to the home side and after two good blocked efforts the third corner was a clinical strike to the back post.

Watsonians Colts 3
Falkirk GHG V 1

Falkirk went to this game with half their regular defence in other places and unfortunately it showed with the home side having numerous penalty corners but luckily too no avail until a ball which was not cleared off Malcolm's pads was poorly hit out and came back to hit of a defenders foot for a penalty flick, which the home side converted. Falkirk altered their midfield and young Duncan Kehoe on one of his mazy runs took on the home side and ensured the ball ended up in the home D which Alex MacFadyen passed to Chris Brodie who duly ensured he scored a goal. The second half unfortunately ended up looking like a battlefield or casualty department with first Ross Drummond going down with a badly sprained ankle, then as the game went on and the umpire did not stop it, a shot going wide on goals hit Craig Harper on the elbow bringing him down. Two down and more to go, Chris Taylor then was elbowed in the ribs and ended up with a cracked rib, which was diagnosed in hospital later, and young Duncan Kehoe was hit by the ball on the head and had to go to hospital as well, with possible mild concussion. In the time when players were off the pitch and getting attention Watsonians increased their lead by another two goals, by that time Falkirk were not interested, as they were more concerned for their own injured players. The home side had a good format with their lead player number 8, who would not have been out of place at a much higher level, dictating the play at all time. This ran the Falkirk side ragged, with lack of reading the game, and ensuring passes went to Falkirk sticks proved the downfall of the Falkirk side.

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