Quasar 5
Falkirk GHG 2
After a convincing win last season, Falkirk made the long journey to Kinloss
hoping for a repeat result that would lift them away from the foot of the table,
and at the same time, end Quasar's unbeaten start to the season. The visitors
didn't get off to a good start, with Graham Miller being harshly penalised for
deflecting the ball over the back line. From the resultant penalty corner, Robert
Thomson made a good block, but was helpless as the rebound was dispatched past
him into the net. Falkirk should have been level soon after, but on two occasions,
goals were chalked off for earlier infringements rather than allowing an advantage
to the attacking side. Falkirk fell further behind when a misplaced pass from
a corner allowed Quasar to break up the park, and score with a shot off the
far post. Stafford Dickson tried to hit back immediately, but his flick from
a corner switch cannoned off the post with the keeper beaten, and just before
half time, Quasar netted again this time from a reverse stick shot. Falkirk
started the second half in a more determined manner, and pulled a goal back
within 2 minutes of the restart, when Dickson converted his 4th penalty of the
season. The visitors should have pulled another goal back a minute later, after
Watson and Dickson combined to tear through the home defence, but with the goal
gaping, Watson's shot hit the side boards. Despite this miss Falkirk continued
to press, and Michael Watson made amends for the earlier miss when his run to
the top of the box ended with a shot into the bottom corner. With Quasar rattled,
Falkirk pushed for an equaliser, but despite a series of penalty corners, they
were unable to find the finishing touch. With 10 minutes to play, a defensive
slip allowed Quasar to break down the right wing, and the cross ball was expertly
deflected into the net to give the home side some breathing space. A double
save from the Quasar keeper prevented Watson and Dickson from closing the gap,
and in the final minute, Quasar sealed the victory with a freakish goal that
was deflected in from the goalline, and summed up Falkirk's season so far.
Grange V 1
Falkirk GHG III 1
As Falkirk’s only unbeaten team in the league, the 3rd XI began the
day with a weight of expectation against a Grange side which had been relegated
from the division above. With a settled team who were now really beginning
to gel the 3rd XI faced their toughest test of the season so far. The game
started brightly for the Grange side, with Falkirk on the defensive for much
of the opening 15 minutes, with only the inspired brilliance of Duncan Service
in goals, making his return to competitive action, keeping the Falkirk side
in the match. Grange seemed the stronger side and were first to every ball
and so it was no surprise when they opened the scoring from a deflected shot.
Only a series of excellent saves and a goal line clearance from Scott McNeill
kept the score to 1-0 at half time. The second half started very brightly
for Falkirk, who seemed to lift the tempo of the game from the offset, with
the experience and ability of Davie Gallagher in the centre of the path rejuvenating
the 3s. With Falkirk in the ascendancy chances fell to Johnny Anderson and
Liam Robertson, as well as Craig Callahan who had been outstanding for most
of the match. Falkirk finally scored the equaliser when a hit from outside
the D was met with a controlled touch from Liam Robertson to equalise. Danny
Gibney came close to scoring the winner with an audacious lob, which narrowly
missed the target, but Grange managed to hold on as the game finished 1-1.
The cliché of a game of two halves best described this game, with the
entire team lifting their performance. A great result against a very good
side.
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