Match reports for 17/3/07

Falkirk GHG 3
Inveross 0

Falkirk got back to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable victory over bottom Club Inveross. The home side seized the initiative from the first whistle, and although chances fell to Watson, Strachan and Fraser, all were passed up. Falkirk's final ball in and around the box was also letting them down, and they needed a good save from Thomson to keep them level after an Inveross breakaway. James Moran almost opened the scoring with a spectacular reverse stick shot that looked destined for the roof of the net before the Inveross keeper clawed the ball out from under the bar, but the deadlock was finally broken when Craig Strachan slammed home his first goal for the Club at a penalty corner. Falkirk doubled their advantage in the opening minutes of the second half when a defensive mistake was clinically punished by Falkirk, Strachan finding Watson at the back post to flick home from a yard. Falkirk saved their best till last, and settled the match with a well worked third goal. Dickson's crossfield ball found Strachan at the top of the D, and he quickly exchanged passed with Watson, before stroking the ball home from 7 yards for his second of the match.

Edinburgh Uni IV 1
Falkirk GHG II 3

Falkirk travelled to Peffermill for the penultimate game of the league season knowing they needed a win to retain any hope of avoiding relegation. Still without vice captain Davie Gallagher the Falkirk side struggled in the opening stages to keep a pacey Edinburgh Uni side at bay. Despite a nervous start Falkirk did manage to take the lead. Gregor Maxwell on hand to do what he does best and finish from close range. After this the students came back into the game and deservedly got an equaliser. Parity was not maintained for long however, as Liam Robertson slotted home his fourth goal in four appearances for the 2's to leave the score 2 - 1 at the break. The 2nd half saw a much better performance from Falkirk. The defence looking more assured and the midfield and forward line causing problems for the Uni rear guard. Despite the pressure it took until midway through the half for Falkirk to extend their lead, after a melee in the D, David Jewell was on hand to slot home. From then Falkirk pressed to hammer home their advantage and if not for Liam Robertson taking the ball of captain Derek Morrison's stick, then mildly concussing Maxwell, more of a gloss would have been on a terrific performance. Despite their dominance however Falkirk did allow Uni a couple of attempts at goal, only to discover Falkirk keeper Craig Malcolm in world class form, pulling off at least 1 save that had to be seen to be believed.

Edinburgh Hockey Club Colts 2
Falkirk GHG V 5

As last week, the home team did not have a umpire, but Falkirk, as usual being the sporting team and with their own umpire agreeing to umpire the whole match the game commenced. The home side while players short showed, what they lacked in numbers, they made up in skill and took the game to Falkirk with some very nice passing skills but it was Falkirk that opened the scoring with David Ainsworth finishing of a well worked passing sequence that left the home keeper stranded. Not taking it lying down Edinburgh went straight up the pitch and won a penalty corner, which they expertly converted. Falkirk did not take this as read and a run from Duncan Kehoe into the circle was powerfully finished. Again the home side powered up the pitch and won, although a bit dubious, another penalty corner and with almost a carbon copy of their first goal they duly drew even again. Not to be outdone Falkirk again this time with some basic hockey which included some nice inter team passing found Kehoe again to slot the ball past the home keeper, 3-2 it was at the end of the first half. The second half started where it had just ended but this time Falkirk kept playing the basics which kept up the pressure on the home side and although they had the ball in the net a few times it was only the two scored by Jonathon Nugent which counted and his second being a spectacular slap shot which soared over the six foot plus home keeper to scream into the corner of the net. A nice ending to the league fixtures for this season, which should keep Falkirk up in the top in the league.

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