Match reports for 21/1/06

Falkirk GHG III 4
Stirling Wanderers 3

The 3rd XI resumed their league fixtures following the Christmas festivities with a difficult task, facing the in form league leaders Stirling Wanderers, the leagues highest scoring team. The game couldn't have started worse for Falkirk GHG when they leaked a goal in the opening minutes from a short corner. At the other end Danny Gibney came close with a flashing shot which skimmed the post. However Stirling were looking the better side and doubled their lead with another well worked short-corner routine. It took this second goal to give the home side the kick they needed, and following a period of possession, Falkirk pulled a goal back, with Iain Cameron hitting a shot which was deflected past the despairing keeper by Danny Gibney. In the aftermath of the goal, Falkirk were reduced to 10 players and had Craig Malcolm, as well as the defensive pair of Dougie Smith and Paul Paton to thank, for preventing further scoring. The second half started brightly for Falkirk who equalised when Iain Cameron saw his shot saved by the keeper, but Jonny Anderson showed composure and ability to bring the ball under control and shot into the bottom corner from the top of the D. Davie Gallagher and Davie Ferguson both ran the middle of the park, giving a midfield drive to the rejuvenated Falkirk side. However it was Stirling Wanderers who went ahead again. Falkirk were not to be beaten and came close to equalising when Iain Cameron was unlucky not to poke the ball past the oncoming keeper. Soon afterwards, Chris Dyer amazed everyone on the pitch when he had a goal bound shot clawed off the line. Falkirk piled on the pressure and were rewarded when a goal line melee was slotted home by Gibney with a calm back stick flick from 3 inches out. Stirling Wanderers immediately applied the pressure and Craig Malcolm in goal produced two top drawer saves to prevent further scoring. With a draw looking every more likely and Stirling applying pressure to the Falkirk goal, Paul Paton began a sweeping move from defence, with a short pass to Davie Ferguson who then played the ball to Craig Callahan. Callahan beat a player before playing the ball across goal where Paton was on hand to score the winner and send Falkirk into ecstasy. After this, Falkirk hung on for what was to them a brilliant victory under the circumstances.

Peebles 1
Falkirk GHG IV 0

The Falkirk side travelled to Peebles, and were disappointed to miss out on any league points having played some outstanding hockey on a pitch that was very slippy underfoot. Not playing hockey on grass for most players, made it most interesting, but Derry Barton, and Robert Russell showed the rest of the team how grass hockey should be played . The Falkirk side had several clear cut chances at goal, and were unfortunate not to score in the first half, with chances going to Barton, Chris Brodie and Ross Anderson, and only reflex goalkeeping, and wide shots saving Peebles. Sam Hannah, playing in his first game back for over a year between the uprights, had a great game only to be caught out mid way through the second half, by a breakaway goal. Falkirk rallied hard, and again chances went begging. However, a good team performance from all who played as 100% commitment was given by all, with Alan Jenkins at the back , who made some great last minute challenges at the latter stages to deny Peebles a further score.

Falkirk GHG V 1
Kinross 3

Just five minutes into this league game on the Bathgate Astroturf facility saw Chris Taylor have the first chance at a score, but his shot went wide of goal. The visitors from Fife, currently second top of the league were to open the scoring, but Falkirk came back with Stuart McNeill saw his shot wide of target. Two penalty corners awarded to Kinross were saved before they netted again from a later penalty corner award. David Humphreys saw his shot enter the goal but unfortunately it was hit from outside the circle and so was disallowed. The visitors' third score came thirteen minutes into the second half, despite the best efforts of Craig Malcolm in goal, and Simon Robertson, but Falkirk did not give up, as new boy, Sixth Year pupil at Graeme High School Michael Kay, on his first outing for the Falkirk Club, drove into the circle from the left wing and fired a shot at goal which was cleared by the keeper. Also making his debut for the club, Braes High teacher Bobby Morton made his presence felt, and was there supporting the push forward. Soon after, Simon Robertson worked up the right wing and fired the ball to a waiting Stuart McNeill who despatched the ball in for what was to be a consolation goal.

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