Match reports for 4/12/04
Falkirk GHG II 1
Waverley Inveresk II 2
Falkirk's penultimate game before the winter break saw them play host to Waverley
Inveresk 2nd eleven, or at least most of them. This was a game of missed chances
for the home side, creating many good scoring opportunities throughout the game
but unable to beat the visiting keeper. Falkirk went behind when a shot from
a short corner got past the outstretched home keeper and inside the unguarded
post, Falkirk didn't let this deter them as they pressured the visitors penalty
area and David Jewell coolly tucked away a rebound from one of Gregor Maxwell's
many goal bound shots to make the honours even at half time. The 2nd half was
an evenly fought affair with chances at both ends, but the winner came 2 minutes
from full time when the visitors were awarded a Penalty Flick by their umpire
following a short corner flick apparently stopped by a body on the line. Falkirk
could have played as they did all day and not scored, a very professional performance,
but it was just one of those days. We will hope for better luck next week against
the visitors from Fife.
Falkirk GHG III 4
Waverley Inveresk IV 1
The fixture secretary of Falkirk GHG had kindly re-arranged the start time of
this match, at the request of the opposition and so it was no surprise when
the usual faces from Waverley Inveresk arrived along with unfamiliar figures
from higher up their Club. Despite this, the third team showed real determination
and had the better of the opening exchanges, coming close in the opening minutes.
A side-hit from McNeill was forced at goal by Jonny Anderson, who was disappointed
to see it squirm wide. At the other end Dougie Smith and Davie Craig were breaking
down every Inveresk attack, and on more than a few occasions Jamie Ballantine
produced some magical saves when it seemed Falkirk were to go a goal down. At
half time, with the score line still at 0-0 Falkirk made a tactical change,
putting Gibney into the centre of midfield and this, along with several Inveresk
players tiring after having already played a game, proved to be the turning
factors in the match. Falkirk opened the scoring with a sublime finish from
Iain Cameron, hitting home with great power from a tight angle after some good
build up play by Anderson. The second followed shortly after with Gibney putting
in a brilliant ball from out wide which fell to Anderson who calmly slotted
home. Chris Dyer chased everything in the middle of the park and Tom Russell
worked hard down the right wing, providing chances at goal. The third goal for
Falkirk can only be described as "total hockey", with central defender Smith
picking winning a great tackle at the back and playing a sublime pass to Jonathon
Nugent on the left wing. Nugent ran the length of the pitch with the ball, before
putting in the perfect cross which was met by Anderson for his second and Falkirk's
third. Other chances fell to Falkirk, who were now in complete control. From
a long corner Falkirk made it number four. Stephen Macdonald, who covered every
blade of synthetic grass on the left hand side of the pitch, powered an excellent
shot into the goal, which was saved by the Inveresk keeper. The rebound fell
to Anderson who made no mistake from 2 inches out to seal his hat trick. Although
Inveresk pulled one back from a short corner, the final score line of 4-1 showed
a very well deserved victory for a hard working Falkirk side.
Falkirk GHG V
2
Falkirk GHG IV 1
As most inter-club games go, this was unfortunate that there was a few disagreements
among those present. The standard of hockey played was encouraging when the
youngsters of both teams showed the adults how it should be played and kept
quiet and just played hockey. The first goal came through a well worked penalty
corner with Per Dullforce pushing out and received the ball coming back in to
flick it past the young 4ths keeper. The second half found the 4ths captain
unfortunately stop the ball on the line for a penalty flick, up stepped John
MacPherson to put it low past the 4ths keeper. This only energised the 4th XI
to push forward and eventually after a few penalty corners they finally got
a goal. They kept up the pressure and in the dying seconds of the game got another
penalty corner, but unfortunately to no avail, the ball finally went for a long
corner and the game finally ended.
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