Match reports for 2/4/05

Quasar 1
Falkirk GHG 4

Carnegie III 1
Falkirk GHG II 2

Falkirk’s penultimate league fixture took them to Rosyth to face Carnegie’s 3rd XI who were one position above Kev the Goalie’s boys in third position. This tightly contested clash saw a vastly improved performance to that of 2 weeks ago in Musselburgh. This time Falkirk gelled as a team, backing each other up with excellent communication and movement, and superhuman effort from each and every man. The home team scored first following a burst down their right wing and a cut back from the bye line was squeezed past the Falkirk keeper and inside his far post. Falkirk kept to their game plan into the second half and it was only a matter of time before it came good. Falkirk’s first goal came from James Robertson who collected the ball on his own 25 yard line, moved like lightening and outpaced one man before skinning the Carnegie sweeper and rifling a venomous shot across the static home keeper and almost bursting the net. A handful of important blocks from the Falkirk captain in goal kept the advantage to the travelling twelve and after the umpteenth short corner which were getting closer and closer to finding the net, Joe Trodden was in the right place at the right time to be cool, calm and collect the much deserved victory for a Falkirk side who were firing on all cylinders. An immense display of sexy hockey from all who graced the Fifers Astroturf with thanks to those men brought up from the Falkirk 4th eleven, first class.

Falkirk GHG III 1
Carnegie Colts 3

With first place in East District Division 2 already decided the winner of this clash would have the upper hand in the race to finish second and gain the promotion spot. Carnegie Colts went into the game with a two point lead but a win for Falkirk GHG would give them the advantage ahead of the last game of the season. Both sides exchanged early shots at goal, with Falkirk GHG’s 3 strikers combining well to set up Anderson whose shot was saved by the keeper. Duncan Kehoe looked lively in the middle of the park, running at the Carnegie defence with every opportunity. However it was Carnegie who took the lead from a quick hit with was easily converted by their striker. The home team never really got going in the match and only showed flashes of playing the attacking hockey they are capable off and it was from these rare moments of good play that Falkirk GHG won a series of short corners, none of which they were able to convert. After a series of missed chances Falkirk were to be punished when in the early stages of the second half the away team exploited some defensive frailties to score two cheap goals and go 3-0 up. A single strike from Jonathon Anderson wasn’t enough to get Falkirk GHG back into the game and a 3-1 defeat finished any lingering hopes of promotion for the 3s. There was no doubting the work and commitment of the 3rds players but simply they were out-passed by a Carnegie side whose youngsters have a bright future.

Falkirk GHG V 1
ESMFP III 1

With six regular players missing through holidays and other commitments the home side eventually had twelve players who should have comfortably won the game. The first half initially had the visitors playing like they were going to win, but when Falkirk settled they took the game to Erskines but it was the finishing touches and a keeper that was having a good day that kept the score sheet clean at half time. The second half started as it should have earlier and midfield general Ross Drummond, who was just back from a serious ankle injury, showed the forwards how to score a goal which left the visiting keeper stranded. Unfortunately Erskines stepped up the pressure when they attacked and brought some excellent saves from Craig Malcolm especially on the one on one incidents which there were a few when Falkirk kept pushing for a second goal. Falkirk were reduced to eleven due to work commitments and then various injuries caused the team to play with eight fit players and eventually Erskines obtained the equaliser through their captain who on one of the rare occasions he was left unmarked slotted the ball in at the back post. Falkirk did try to obtain the winner but the forward line was tiring and just did not connect with the various passes to put the ball over the goal line. In all it was a good game of hockey that Falkirk should have won but eventually settled on the draw.

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