Match reports for 25/3/06

Erskine Stewarts Melville FP 3
Falkirk GHG 2

Another Saturday, another single goal defeat for Falkirk, but with the ESM keeper getting man of the match accolades from his own team, there were encouraging signs from the Falkirk performance. The visitors got off to a flyer and opened the scoring within 40 seconds. Douglas Nicol won the ball in midfield, and after Chris Anderson exchanged passes with Michael Watson, his cross was converted by Nicol, who had continued his run to the back post. Falkirk continued to press and Arthur Robertson, Chris Anderson twice and a reverse stick shot from Watson all forced saves from the home keeper. Despite almost constant pressure on the home goal, ESM managed to grab an equaliser just before half time, forcing the ball home from close range after the original shot had looped over Thomson, but stopped before reaching the net. ESM started the second half in a more determined mood and took the lead with another scrambled goal after Thomson had saved the first effort. Falkirk continued to create chances and only a wonderful save from the ESM keeper prevented Watson's flick from finding the bottom corner. This was a temporary reprieve, as the visitors equalised from the resultant corner. Gordon Anderson started off a mazy run from the right corner, weaved past three defenders and finished with a well struck reverse stick shot that was saved by the keeper, but the rebound fell to Watson who despite not making the cleanest of connections, found a way into the goal. With a draw looking likely, ESM were awarded a penalty corner in the dying minutes, and with yet another slice of bad luck, the shot was deflected off Stafford Dickson's stick high past Thomson to deny Falkirk a share of the points.

Falkirk GHG III 4
Inverleith B 3

After the first meeting of these sides had been cancelled following a frozen pitch, the 3rd XI faced Inverleith B in this rearranged league encounter at Linlithgow. The home side knew only a win was good enough as they continued their push towards the league title. With Drummond sidelined through injury and last weekend’s hatrick hero Anderson unavailable for selection the 3rd XI knew they would face a tough encounter against a side fighting against relegation. The game opened slowly, with both sides playing some nice passing hockey with little openings in either defence. Dougie Smith was having a brilliant game at the heart of the defence, and with Stephen Sutton stopped every Inverleith attack. Falkirk lifted the tempo and came close to scoring from a short corner with skimmed the outside of the post. The Falkirk side made the breakthrough when a fine Davie Gallagher run and cross was met by Danny Gibney, who reacted quickest with a deft touch past the stranded keeper. Soon after Falkirk doubled their lead with Gallagher again the architect. Gallagher again went on a mazy run down the right hand side before squaring the ball for Iain Cameron to shot high into the net. Inverleith tried to fight back and only an excellent save from Malcolm in goal kept the scoreline at 2-0. On the stroke of half time Cameron played a perfect ball to Gibney who’s shot squirmed wide of target. Inverleith started much quicker in the second half and their pace was causing the home defence problems. Malcolm in goal made two top saves to keep the lead intact. Falkirk managed to increase their lead when Gibney was adjudged to have been obstructed by the keeper and from the resulting penalty flick Gibney made no mistake for his second of the game. However Inverleith were to pull a goal back after some slack marking and then quickly made it 3-2 from a well hit short corner routine and suddenly the game heated up. Falkirk managed to score again, when a Davie Gallagher long corner found its way to Gibney who slotted home for his hatrick to make it 4-2. However Inverleith were set to score again and only a good defensive performance for the last few minutes saw Falkirk hold onto the lead. An excellent win against a very skilful side, setting up a league decider in two weeks.

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