Match reports for 24/3/07

Perthshire 1
Falkirk GHG 6

In what is traditionally a close encounter, Falkirk eased into 4th place in the league with a comprehensive win over Perthshire. The visitors got off to the perfect start when Jonny Anderson opened the scoring after 5 mins, reacting quickly to a loose ball in the box and slotting it under the keeper. Their lead was doubled minutes later when Michael Watson converted a penalty corner with a strike that dipped perfectly over the line to catch the top of the backboards, before Douglas Nicol added a third with an accurate shot from the top of the box. Falkirk's fourth goal of the half came after Ross Drummond's shot was saved by the keeper, and as the ball headed towards the corner of the box, Watson got his second with a strike from a yard off the baseline that found the opposite sideboard. Perthshire started the second half on the front foot, but despite some significant pressure, the Falkirk defence held firm with solid performances once again from Dickson, Miller and Rennie. A strong run from Gordon Anderson set up the visitors 5th goal, Watson completing his hat-trick with a flick that squeezed in at the near post. Perthshire pulled a consolation goal back from a penalty corner routine, and could have scored again were it not for Robert Thomson producing a couple of top drawer saves. Falkirk were dealt a significant blow when Stafford Dickson was injured when blocking a cross, and limped off with a broken ankle that will see him miss the remainder of the season. Falkirk completed the scoring when Watson's shot from a corner was illegally stopped on the line, and Nicol grabbed his second of the day from the spot to complete arguably Falkirk's best performance of the season.

Falkirk GHG II 7
Inverleith A 0

Falkirk's 2nd 11 finished the season with a home tie against bottom of the league strugglers Inverleith on Saturday, which saw the visitors arrive with only 10 players. Despite a slow start the Falkirk team made their superior talent, and numerical advantage pay running out comfortable 7 - 0 winners. James Robertson opened the scoring after an expertly worked short corner, saw Scott Coventry feed captain Derek Morrison, who drew the visiting defence before slipping the ball to James to slot home. The 2nd came following a free hit just inside the Inverleith 25 which was worked by Hamish Hutchison for Davie Gallagher to fire a cross expertly deflected home by Falkirk top scorer Gregor Maxwell. The 3rd and 4th goals were scored by captain Derek Morrison. His first coming after a deft touch round the keeper from Maxwell allowed him to slot the ball into an empty net, his 2nd after a delightful through ball from David Jewell was powered home at the near post. Despite having little to do the Falkirk back line of Davie Sharp, Paul Paton, Iain Forbes and Gordon Jeffrey mopped up the limited visiting attacks with ease. Into the 2nd half and Falkirk again started slowly as Inverleith battled to get back into the game. Some solid tackling in the middle from Joe Troddan, and tireless work from Richard Grey at the heart of the defence though kept the visitors at bay and was the perfect foundation for Falkirk to finish the bottom side off. Falkirks 5th goal came after Inverleith had been bolstered by players arriving for the next game, and was calmly slotted home by Alex McFadyen. The 6th also came from the stick of McFadyen, who found himself in a position to put captain Morrison through to complete his hat-trick, but instead selfishly (and correctly) chose to go himself and produce a truly excellent finish. A 7 - 0 victory wouldn't be the same with a brace for Maxwell, and he was to complete the scoring with minutes to go with another deft touch from a cross ball. Thanks to everyone who has played for the 2nd 11 this season, and also the umpires. With a bit of luck, and other results going our way, this win should be enough to see us all back in this division again next season.

Falkirk GHG III 3
Inverleith B 1

The 3rd XI played their penultimate game of the season, when they entertained Inverleith at Linlithgow in this East District Division 2 clash. Spekman returned to the line-up following a spell of injury, although Macdonald was missing from his usual berth at left- defence. The game couldn’t have started any better for Falkirk, when they were a goal up after only 3 minutes. A Stuart McNeill long-ball into the D was brilliantly chased by the pacey Alan McDonald who flicked it past the keeper and onto the stick of Iain Cameron, who slotted home from a tight angle. This early lead boosted Falkirk as they continued to create chances. Stuart McNeill narrowly missed a cross into the D and then Dougie Smith came close to powering home a penalty corner effort. However, Inverleith came back into the game and Scott Morrison in goals produced a few sharp stops. On the one occasion the Falkirk goalkeeper was beaten, Dougie Smith was on hand to make a brilliant goal-line clearance. The final chance of the half fell to Alan McDonald who saw his effort brilliantly saved by the visitors keeper. The second half saw the fitness of Inverleith become a factor, as Falkirk tired early on and Morrison in the Falkirk goal produced a brilliant reaction save and then palmed clear a flick at goal as Falkirk clinged to their single goal lead. However, Inverleith equalised soon after. The 3rd XI needed to show plenty heart and determination to get back into this game and did so by hitting back immediately. Stevie Sutton did well to win a hit just outside the D. From this hit, Robert Spekman’s inviting ball was given the finest of touches to direct into the bottom corner by Ross Connell giving Falkirk a crucial lead. Inverleith continued to push but only good defending prevented them scoring. Falkirk always looked dangerous on the quick break and on one such occasion Stuart McNeill used his power and pace to shrug of a late tackle by a defender before putting a delightful cross into the back-post area which was met by Ross Connell for his second goal of the game. A fantastic win for the 3rd XI, who now look in prime position to avoid relegation with one game of the season remaining.

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