Match reports for 24/2/07

Erskine Stewarts Melville FP 3
Falkirk GHG 3

Falkirk travelled to Edinburgh confident after holding the league leaders to a draw the previous week. Unfortunately the high expectations were not matched by the performance in the first 20 minutes of the game. Falkirk started slowly allowing ESM to dominate possession. ESM went ahead through a well taken short corner and then doubled their lead from a second corner, Robert Thomson in goal being deceived by a mishit shot. This seemed to wake up the Falkirk team who surged forward and spent the remainder of the first half camped in the ESM half. Iain Fraser was unlucky to be denied by a point blank save from the ESM keeper before the Falkirk pressure eventually paid off. The ESM defenders covered poorly at a Falkirk corner allowing Douglas Nicol to advance into the circle and flick the ball over the diving goalkeeper to end the half 2-1. The second half started as the first half ended with Falkirk in the ascendence. Anderson and Fraser were causing the ESM defence problems and Falkirk could have been several goals up if not for the usual outstanding performance of the ESM keeper. The breakthrough came when Jonathan Anderson equalised for Falkirk after a ball into the circle was poorly dealt with by the ESM defence and Anderson was on hand to force the ball over the line. Sensing victory Falkirk pushed forward and from a 2 on 1 break Anderson fed Fraser who, having his best game all season, rounded the keeper only to be taken down by the trailing leg. Stafford Dickson stepped up to calmly slot home the penalty and put Falkirk into the lead. However with only 1 minute left in the game Falkirk contrived to throw away the victory. On one of the few ESM breaks into the attacking half, Falkirk were unable to clear their lines. The ball broke to the ESM forward who hammered the ball into the back of the goal. Falkirk deserved a victory here and will probably look at this as 2 points dropped despite the poor start to the game.

Falkirk GHG II 0
Grange III 4

Falkirk's recent revival took a backward step on Saturday as league leaders Grange visited Linlithgow and went home with a 4 - 0 victory. Although the result brings an end the 2nds recent unbeaten run, the team can take a lot from the performance. Although deserved winners Grange can count themselves lucky the scoreline wasn't much closer, with Ross Anderson going close twice for Falkirk. Good performances were also turned in by youngsters Alex McFadyen and Stuart McNeill.

Grange V 3
Falkirk GHG III 1

February has not been a happy month for the 3rd XI, with 4 straight defeats and only 2 goals scored and so when the 3rd XI travelled to Grange for their 5th successive away fixture they realised they were in trouble at the bottom of East Division 2. With Scotland Over-50s keeper Chris Taylor returning to goals following injury, the 3rd XI were hopeful they could upset the odds against a Grange side who are always a strong organised side. There was little to choose between the teams in the first half, with much of the early play in the midfield area. Joe Trodden, who had been the standout performer in recent weeks, continued to harass in the centre of the midfield and with John Russell was creating a partnership which seemed to be a match for the talented Grange side. Although Falkirk had a lot of possession they couldn’t find many clear cut chances with Danny Gibney and Iain Cameron working hard, making runs into the correct channels but to no avail. Grange’s use of the ball was more effective than their opponents and only three top class saves from Chris Taylor, one in the groin, kept Grange from scoring. However, just before the break Grange made the breakthrough when a penalty corner was met with an outstanding double save from Taylor in goal, but the Grange player was on hand to score with his third attempt. The second half saw Grange double their lead quickly from a penalty corner and this seemed to be the motivation Falkirk needed to really get going. The quality of passing increased as the game became much more open. Iain Cameron came close with a flashing shot and Danny Gibney always looked dangerous. A fracas in the D saw Grange temporarily reduced to 10 players and Falkirk duly used their numerical advantage to pull a goal back when Danny Gibney slotted home from the penalty spot after a goal bound shot had been stopped by the defenders backside. This really lifted the tempo of the game, however, Falkirk couldn’t find the equaliser that they perhaps deserved and were caught on the break when Grange scored again to put the game beyond doubt. In the dying seconds Alan McDonald hit the post following some a magnificent step over by Danny Gibney and this summed up Falkirk’s afternoon. With crucial games coming up in the next few weeks against the other two sides involved in the relegation dogfight, the 3rd XI can build on the positives from this game.

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