Match reports for 2/10/04
Falkirk GHG 5
FMGM 0
Falkirk notched a convincing win against their opponents from Dundee to record
their 3rd win of the season. So one-sided was the game, that Robert Thomson
in the Falkirk goal managed to go the entire 70 minutes without touching the
ball. Despite having all the play from the first whistle, it took the home side
until midway through the half to take the lead. Chris Anderson picked the ball
up on the left, and edged into the circle, before unleashing a shot into the
bottom right corner. The lead was doubled shortly after, when a penalty corner
routine was converted by Michael Watson after good interplay with Douglas Nicol.
Falkirk's third goal came from another successful corner routine, this time
Stafford Dickson flicking past the MGM keeper. A fourth goal should have arrived
in the final minute of the half, but Watson deflected Nicol's free-hit inches
wide when it looked easier to score. The second half was a continuation of the
first, with Falkirk totally dominating the game, but a series of missed chances
prevented the home side giving their goal difference a much needed boost. Jonny
Anderson was denied by the keeper on a couple of occasions, before underhitting
a shot at an open goal which gave the defence time to get back and clear, and
was unlucky to see his next effort fly wide after good build up play from James
Robertson. Good build up play from Craig Gove and Chris Anderson gave Watson
the next chance, but his swerving shot missed the far post. Falkirk eventually
got their fourth goal with 3 minutes to go, James Robertson's cross being converted
by Craig Gove. The fifth arrived in the final minute, as Gove and Anderson combined
again to set up Watson, who drew the ball back as the keeper slid out, and flicked
into the empty net. A comprehensive victory, but could have been so much better.
Erskines Stewarts Melville II 2
Falkirk GHG III 2
On the Astro at the Mary Erskine School, Falkirk took the lead after Danny Gibney
picked up a long ball, playing it on to Barry Warner and with only the keeper
to beat, cleverly tucked the ball under the keeper into goal. The Edinburgh
hosts came back, and Jamie Ballantine pulled off the first of what was to be
a series of crucial saves as his leg cleverly got in the way of a goal-bound
shot. Scott McNeill at the top of the circle, blocked what was to be a shot
at goal during a penalty corner award. Melvilles did level the game in the 22nd
minute with a high ball into goal. Danny Gibney had a goalbound shot cleared
off the line, while Ballantine saved again at another corner award. Young Craig
Callahan showed grit and determination in his tackles in midfield to win the
ball, and Iain Cameron adding bite to the moves upfield. Thanks to the award
of a penalty flick, Melvilles again went into the lead in the second half after
early pressure in opening the half. Douglas Smith blocked a shot at goal from
an earlier penalty corner award. Both sides pressed to find the net, but Falkirk
were to be the successful side as they levelled the scoreline minutes from the
final whistle with the ball bursting through into the circle and on into goal,
and Scott Morrison claiming the credit for the finishing touch.
Falkirk GHG V 1
Grange VII 1
This was a game of only one team, with the young team from Falkirk taking the
game to the adult team from Grange unfortunately to no avail. Try as they might
Falkirk could not put the ball into the net with balls going wide, to the visiting
keeper having a good day between the uprights. The only thing that captain Chris
Taylor had to do, in goals for the first time this season, was to pick up the
ball from the back of the net when Grange got their only breakaway just minutes
before halftime to catch the home side napping to go one ahead. The second half
started the same as the first with Falkirk camped in the Grange half and eventually
it was a mistake by the Grange defence that allowed Falkirk to get a penalty
flick, up stepped penalty taker John MacPherson to slot it expertly passed the
Grange keeper, at last. The game continued to no avail for Falkirk, try as they
might they could not get another goal. Grange had a few sorties but they did
not trouble the home sides goal. In all we could mention a few names but with
all the misses we will bring it back to the training ground to get players to
stick to the basics and then we might praise them.
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