Match reports for 11/3/06

Giffnock 6
Falkirk GHG 4

Falkirk's inability to prevent the loss of cheap goals cost them all three points on Saturday, and left them 6 points adrift at the bottom of the league. Despite winning the toss and taking the centre, Falkirk were a goal down inside a minute when a misplaced pass allowed Giffnock to gain possession, and the visitors failed to clear their lines after Robert Thomson saved the initial shot. Five minutes later Giffnock extended their lead, from a penalty stroke after Davie Ferguson's goal line block was harshly penalised. Falkirk finally got a foothold in the game, and started to exert some pressure of their own, pulling a goal back from Stafford Dickson's penalty stroke after Iain Fraser's shot was blocked on the line. Giffnock grabbed their third goal with a shot into the bottom corner after a good passing move, but Falkirk hit back again before half time, Dickson getting his second from a penalty corner. Giffnock opened the second half scoring to regain their 2 goal advantage, but Falkirk countered from another corner, Douglas Nicol setting up Michael Watson to drive a shot in off the post. The visitors were never given a chance to get level, as within minutes, a misplaced pass allowed Giffnock to stroll through the Falkirk defence and beat a helpless Thomson with a clever finish. Falkirk were then reduced to 10 men, but pulled another goal back from yet another corner, Watson converting Nicol's pass for the second time. With time running out, the final nail in the coffin was delivered when another misplaced pass from Falkirk allowed Giffnock yet another easy opportunity, which they converted for their sixth of the day. Michael

Falkirk GHG III 3
Waverley Inveresk Trinity III 0

After last weeks game was the victim of some terrible weather conditions, the 3rd XI needed a win, against one of the few sides who had beaten them earlier in the season, to keep their promotion charge going. The game started very brightly for the Falkirk side, when Davie Gallagher came close to opening his account for the 3rd XI, pulling his shot narrowly wide. Danny Gibney came close as well, when his powerful hit skimmed the outside of the post. Some strong defending from Dougie Smith and Stevie Sutton ensured Inveresk never looked likely to score. Falkirk dominated the opening spell without playing particularly well but deservedly took the lead when, from a short corner routine, Danny Gibney flicked the ball powerfully into the net. At the other end, Craig Malcolm in goal showed his agility with a great diving save to keep the scoreline intact and give Falkirk the half time lead. The second half started brightly with young Stuart McNeill showing his athleticism, chasing down a long ball and winning a short corner which narrowly missed target. Falkirk always looked the more likely to score and were rewarded with a second goal. From a long corner, Stephen Macdonald found John Russell who touched the ball into the middle of the D where Stuart McNeill showed lightning reactions to divert the ball past the keeper. John Russell was to brighten the game with a stunning solo goal, where he picked up a loose ball on the half-way line, ran on the back stick past the Inveresk defence before flighting the ball with a lovely back stick lob past the onrushing keeper, for one of the best goals he has scored in his illustrious career. A deserved win for the home team, who without playing particularly well, showed the battling qualities which have made them a force this season. Next week they face Carnegie in a game which will have huge bearing on both teams promotion prospects.

[Home Page] [Results Page]