Match reports for 23/10/04

Falkirk GHG II 3
Watsonians III 2

Falkirk started the game on the front foot pressuring the Watsonians goal early but swapped ends one goal down after poor passing in the midfield gave the ball to the visitors who ran on and outnumbered the defence to play an easy ball to a free man in the D who beat the home keeper to the ball and scored against the run of play. The 2nd half saw Falkirk knuckle down, get the basics right and continue to create chances. The equalizer came from Gregor Maxwell who skinned a defender and flashed an exquisite shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the goal, this was added to soon after as Maxwell muscled a defender out of the way to set up Gordon Anderson who put in a good shift throughout the game. With the score line at 2-1 to Falkirk, Watson's were awarded a penalty flick when a Falkirk foot stopped a goal bound effort, keeper and captain Kevin Cummings' cat-like reflexes showed through to comfortably save a decent flick from their centre forward. Falkirk rallied and scored again, this time Ross Connell added to his already impressive tally for the season slotting away a free ball in the visitors' penalty area. The visitors pulled one back late in the game with sloppy marking allowing a simple back post tap in but this was too little too late as Falkirk's unbeaten run continues. Watsonians captain Merv Stewart must surely rue his glorious first half miss 18 inches from the goal line which surely would have secured his team a share of the points.

Watsonians IV 0
Falkirk GHG III 2

Falkirk travelled to Tipperlinn, the artificial surface at George Watson’s School to meet the Edinburgh side’s 4th string, which had secured promotion at the end of last season. While the personnel of the team may have changed this season, a strong and determined side came out to open the game, but found Douglas Smith at the back up to his usual form clinically breaking down their forays towards goal, ably assisted by Scott McNeill. For Falkirk, Craig Callahan had the first chance to threaten the home goal, before Danny Gibney saw his shot at goal just narrowly wide of target. Substitute Jonathan Anderson came on in the 19th minute and immediately ran up the park and fired a good ball in from the right wing where a perfectly-positioned Iain Cameron was waiting to dispatch the ball into the roof of the net. Anderson soon after came close, while Mark Stewart also fired a good ball across the shooting circle which no one could connect with, and Barry Warner had a chance to make it two before the break. The second half saw both sides trying to score, but it was Falkirk who were successful. From a penalty corner award, the shot at goal saved, fell to Barry Warner, who controlled it, flicked it goalwards, where John Russell added his touch to help it into the back of the goal off the limb of a defender. Sonians were not finished, and came back from this to harry Falkirk’s goal, and Jamie Ballantine, between the uprights did what little he had to do effectively. As the final whistle approached, nearly all involved in the game from the Watsonians Club were around the Falkirk goal trying to help snatch a consolation score.

Stirling University II 4
Falkirk GHG IV 0

Falkirk travelled to Dunblane High for this encounter against the Uni squad. Falkirk had some good early chances but were unfortunate not to convert their chances. Two goals by the Uni before half time had the Falkirk lads head down but an inspired team talk from Stevie Sutton rallied the boys. Robert Russell went from defence to mid field and had an outstanding second half, time and again Falkirk were in the opposition circle but were unlucky on several occasions. The Falkirk team played remarkably well but special mention must go to the keeper Gareth Brown his first and hopefully not the last outing for the 4ths, who was very unlucky between the sticks as two of the goals came from rebounds after the initial save. A disappointing 4-0 loss but the scoreline did not reflect the team spirit, commitment and the chances that went begging.

Edinburgh Uni VI 5
Falkirk GHG V 1

This was a game of two halves with the students showing the young Falkirk side that they could play hockey on the National Scottish Hockey water based pitch at Peffermill and ran up a score of 3-0 at half-time. The Falkirk side had a pep talk at the break and came out and scored a goal through Jonny Anderson, they then kept up the pressure and should have had more as they had the students defending for most of this half but it was not to be. The Uni team capitalised on the Falkirk's sides tiring defence and put another two in the nets through deflections of the keepers pads. Although if truth was to be said the Uni deserved the win as they took their chances when they could as the Falkirk side did have a few saves off the line from excellent goalkeeping from Craig Malcolm and stick saves from Captain Chris Taylor as well.

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