Match reports for 25/2/06

Aberdeen University 2
Falkirk GHG 1

Falkirk suffered yet another single goal defeat on Saturday, this time against fellow strugglers Aberdeen Uni, to leave them three points adrift at the bottom of the league. Falkirk were on the back foot from the start, and only a good save from Robert Thomson prevented them conceding in the first 2 minutes. Unfortunately for the visitors, it was a temporary reprieve, as a defensive mistake presented Aberdeen with an unmissable opportunity from which they took the lead minutes later. Aberdeen extended their lead after 15 minutes, when a free-hit found its way through the heart of the Falkirk defence, and was deflected in at the back post. This seemed to spur Falkirk into action and after passing up a couple of half chances, they should have pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time, but Douglas Nicol's shot from 10 yards came off the post. From the start of the second half, Falkirk were in the ascendency, and opened their account from Stafford Dickson's flick at a penalty corner. As Falkirk pushed for an equaliser, gaps were occasionally left at the back, and the visitors had a lucky escape when an Aberdeen shot missed the far post when it appeared easier to score. With time running out, Falkirk won a series of penalty corners in an attempt to secure an equaliser, but the Aberdeen goal led a charmed life, as a combination of last gap defending prevented Falkirk from snatching a point.

Watsonians IV 1
Falkirk GHG III 3

Falkirk 3rd XI were looking to bounce back from last weeks disappointment with a strong showing against a Watsonians side who always offer hard opposition. Once again the thirds were forced to field an unfamiliar line-up with 7 regulars missing and Captain Scott McNeill was grateful to the 5th XI players who stepped in to help out. Falkirk started on the back foot with Stevie Sutton, making a welcome return to playing, showing great composure, winning every tackle. Young Chris Thompson playing only his second game for the side looked composed and can be pleased with his performance throughout. Falkirk’s first real chance came to Danny Gibney who was unlucky not to connect with a Duncan Kehoe cross. Iain Cameron came close to breaking the deadlock but he narrowly missed the target and then Stuart McNeill’s flick on skimmed the wrong side of the post. However it was Watsonians who were to take the lead with their first real chance of the game, when the ball was cheaply given away by a Falkirk defender and the Watson’s striker was on hand to make it 1-0 at half time. The second half started much brighter for the visitors and it was Danny Gibney who equalised from the penalty spot following a blatant push on Iain Cameron. The Falkirk side were soon to take the lead, when a well worked move saw John Russell with a simple finish. Chris Taylor in goals made a few sharp stops to keep the thirds lead intact. It was Danny Gibney who was to have the final say in this match, when a quick free hit by Ross Drummond found Gibney who’s first time back stick deflection completely wrong footed the Watsonians defence to make it 3-1. In the end a battling performance from the 3rd XI who can be pleased with a hard won 3 points.

Watsonians Colts 3
Falkirk GHG V 4

On the artificial surface at Tipperlinn, Stuart Brown and David Humphreys were the first to threaten the Edinburgh side’s goal, but it was Stuart McNeill who opened the scoring with a clever flick high into the net. In the eighteenth minute, newly subbed Alex McFadyen quickly picked up a loose ball and made it two. Falkirk’s third came following the award of a penalty corner, when, in the ensuing mele in front on goal, David Humphreys at first put in a reverse-stick shot which was saved, before Simon Robertson struck in a crisp shot. McFadyen came close again, as did Michael Kay who was unlucky not to score from a good cross he sent goalwards. Two poorly defended chances brought the hosts back into the game to threaten, and a well-struck shot from a penalty corner award was to put them on level terms. Falkirk pressured for long periods, with a good strike into the circle by Duncan Kehoe deflected wide by Stuart Brown, and later Per Dullforce and Humphreys hit the post. Later, McFadyen dribbled through the circle and Simon Robertson put it away with a firm strike to give the lead which Falkirk held on to until the final whistle.

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