Match reports for 29/10/05

Falkirk GHG 2
InveRoss 4

Falkirk's first meeting with Inveross ended in defeat for the local side, as yet another poor second half performance came back to haunt them. Falkirk started badly, and went a goal behind from a deflected penalty corner, but responded well to this and soon had an equaliser. From a corner of their own, the visitors defence fouled Michael Watson in the act of shooting, and Douglas Nicol stepped up to convert the penalty for his first goal of the season. Falkirk soon found themselves in the lead, as Watson started and finished a penalty corner to round the keeper and slot home. Falkirk should have added to their lead on the stroke of half time, but after good work from Nicol, Watson's shot hit the outside of the post when faced with the keeper to beat. Inveross got back into the game in the second half with a reverse stick shot from the top of the box that snuck past an unsighted Robert Thomson and took the lead with a scrappy third goal soon after. Watson had a chance to pull Falkirk level again after Iain Fraser had opened up the Inveross backline, but placed his shot just wide of the far post with the keeper racing out. Falkirk continued to press for an equaliser, but with the last strike of the match, Inveross sealed victory with a spectacular flick into the top corner, leaving Falkirk to regret missed opportunities.

Falkirk GHG III 4
Edinburgh Brother II 1

With the 3rd XI beginning to enjoy the consistency that only comes with a settled side, the team produced a fluent, controlled performance against a skilful Edinburgh Brother side in this East Division 2 fixture. In the opening minutes of the match Falkirk looked the stronger team, with Johnny Anderson coming close early on. Despite having the upper hand in the opening exchanges of play, Falkirk were susceptible to the quick break and it was from one such occasion Edinburgh Brother opened the scoring against the run of play. The team spirit and impressive work ethic of the 3rd XI's recent performances was clear once more as the Falkirk side lifted their performance by equalising, when a melee on the Edinburgh Brother goal line was converted by Liam Robertson for his first of the season. Falkirk looked to add to their score, with chances falling to Craig Callahan and John Russell. Johnny Anderson was unlucky not to score, when Stephen Macdonald and John Russell linked well with their effective long corner routine. Falkirk looked the stronger side and deservedly went 2-1 ahead when from a penalty corner, Dougie Smith sent a perfect ball into the path of Jonathon Nuggent who skilfully placed the ball past the keeper. The first half ended when Falkirk were reduced to 10 players for persistent fouling. Starting the second half with 10 players, Jamie Ballantine in goal needed to be alert with some strong kicking and Dougie Smith and Chris Dyer, as ever, worked incredibly hard to keep Falkirk in the lead. With all 11 players restored to the pitch Anderson made it 3-1 from a well taken penalty corner and then in the final minutes of the match, the impressive Davie Gallagher linked well with John Russell, who played a perfect pass to Jonathon Nugget at the post, to score his second and Falkirk's 4th goal. In all an excellent performance from the team, who can be proud of their efforts in recent weeks.

Falkirk GHG IV 2
Carnegie VII 2

The Falkirk side were hosting the Carnegie side at Bathgate Sports Centre, the park played rather well with only a few slips. From the outset both teams were running hard but Falkirk had the dominance unfortunately the scoring did not reflect the game in the first half. The visitors had three shots at goal and scored two of them but the home side did not have the same amount of luck with five shots at goal only accounting for 1 from the stick of Ross Drummond. Falkirk were playing inspired hockey in the second half with excellent running and communication in the midfield tying in well with the forwards and getting fine balls from defence. Midway through the 2nd half another strike by Drummond had the scores tied. The visitors not downed by this kept up the pressure but the defence held well accompanied by some fine saves by Gareth Brown and with midfield producing super tackles kept Falkirk's hope of a win alive but again were thwarted but a couple of good saves from the Fife keeper. All players on the pitch gave their captain 100% and with the way they played made the skip more than happy well done Falkirk.

Edinburgh Brother Colts 2
Falkirk GHG V 1

Falkirk travelled to the lovely new astro surface at Leith Academy for this league game and were quick to threaten the home goal when a Chris Taylor cross through the circle gave young Ross Dickson the chance of a shot at goal but this was not to be the opener. Soon after David Humpreys took his chance with a high flick which sailed harmlessly over the bar, before Craig Harper hit a useful ball into the shooting circle, but it also was not to be. The hosts scored in the 12th and 19th minutes, despite the inspirational best efforts of Craig Malcolm in goal, but that was to be all they would achieve. The teams turned round with Falkirk making some positional changes. Simon Robertson, making a comeback to the Club, showed he had not lost any of his usefulness of the past, and Willie Simpson at the back even joined in the attack at one point. Two minutes on the clock after the restart whistle and stand-in-Captain Chris Taylor stood to attention to take a ball from Braes High schoolboy Mark Slater, to fire the ball into the net to a standing ovation. Falkirk fought on, and were unlucky with various chances - Per Dullforce hit the post, and Ross Dickson, out in space, picked up a long ball, stepped into the circle and fired at goal, forcing the keeper to kick clear. As the last seconds drained away, Falkirk were awarded a penalty corner, but over-excitement saw them squander this levelling of the game opportunity.

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