Match reports for 26/8/06

Ayr Tournament
Falkirk GHG I

Falkirk visited the Ayr tournament for the first time in a number of years, and returned with the clubs first trophy (of sorts) of the season. Falkirk gave first team debuts to Alex MacFadyen and Stuart McNeill, and both put in strong performances over the weekend, that auger well for the future. Falkirk's first game was a step back in time, to face the hosts on a grass park that wouldn't have looked out of place with cattle on it. Goals from Jonny Anderson, and Alex MacFadyen, netting his first goal on his debut, were not enough for the visitors, as local knowledge saw Ayr triumph 3-2. This proved to be Falkirk's only defeat of the weekend, as they got back on track with a four goal win over Irvine, with goals from Gordon Anderson, Michael Watson, Douglas Nicol and Sandy Rennie. In the final game of the day, Alex MacFadyen's reverse stick shot opened the scoring, but Napier Legends hit back to secure a deserved draw. On Sunday, in the first game against Granite City, Falkirk were twice denied a penalty after Watson's shot hit a defender's chest on the line, and then Rennie's follow-up was kicked of the line. Iain Fraser opened the scoring, but despite dominating the match, Falkirk were held to another draw when Granite City equalised from a corner in the dying minutes. Falkirk completed their group with an easy 2-0 (Watson, G Anderson) win over the Presidents XI, but were denied the chance to improve their goal difference by the umpire bizarrely stopping the game early after being asked to by the opposition. This proved to be decisive, as Falkirk finished 3rd in the group on goals scored behind Napier and Granite City, and ended up competing for the plate trophy for 3rd and 4th places teams. In their semi-final, Falkirk eased past East Kilbride with goals from MacFadyen and G. Anderson, to face Strathclyde Uni in the final. Falkirk once again dominated much of the match, and although Watson opened the scoring, a poor umpiring decision saw Strathclyde equalise and force the game to penalties. Robert Thomson was the hero for Falkirk, saving four of the six shots he faced, with Nicol and Watson converting for Falkirk before Craig Gove fired home the winning flick

Helensburgh II 1
Falkirk GHG III 2

With a much changed squad from the previous week, the 3rd XI made its way along the bony banks of Loch Lomond to play the annual friendly match with Helensburgh 2. In previous years these games had always been tight, with little to choose between the two teams and this was to be no exception. With only 4 players who had featured the previous week playing this match, Captain Scott McNeill was helped by players from the 4th and 5th XI's, all of whom played extremely well showing the absent 3rd XI players that the club has players in lower teams who are more than good enough to play at this higher level. The match started with a period of pressure from the home side, with Simon Tennant and John McPherson in defence looking strong and composed, preventing Helensburgh a clear shot at goal. John Russell in the centre of the park looked bright, causing all sorts of trouble to the home defence and from a mazy Russell run the 3rd XI carved the first shot of the day, only to see it squirm marginally wide. Duncan Service in goal had to be alert with a few good kicks as the game was predictably even. It was Falkirk who opened the scoring midway through the half when some nice play by Russell and McPhee allowed Craig Callahan some time in the D to shoot. His bouncing shot evaded the defender and goalkeeper and made its way into the back of the net for the first goal of the afternoon. Falkirk continued to look dangerous and a John Galloway hit found Craig McDonald but he couldn't mind the net this time. Helensburgh attacked and won a penalty corner which the defence dealt with efficiently. From the quick hit John Russell and Ross Dickson combined well and played an excellent pass onto the good doctor Craig Mcdonald. McDonald's run made an "incision" into the "heart" of the Helensburgh and despite the "acute" angle McDonald produced an excellent finish to the back post. This must have been a "hard pill to swallow" for Helensburgh who had given much in a close half and would seek to give Falkirk a "taste of their own medicine" in the second half.

The second half was not as pleasing for the visitors. The flowing passing which had been a feature of the first half seemed to breakdown. Despite John Russell always looking lively and on two occasions providing excellent goal scoring chances to Humphries, Falkirk couldn't add to their lead. The quality of hockey played by the tiring Falkirk side was dropping, resulting in the home team having more control of the ball. On a quick break Helensburgh pulled a goal back after a looping deflection beat Scott McNeill and John McPherson on the goal-line. Only inspired saves from Duncan Service who was in fantastic form prevented Helensburgh from scoring again. In the last minute of the game Helensburgh broke quickly and only a wonderful full pitch sprint and fantastic sliding goal-line block from Scott Coventry, who showed clearly why he could be playing at a higher level, stopped Helensburgh stealing a draw with the last hit of the ball. A game of two halves for Falkirk. They played well in the first half, moving the ball well and creating chances however the second half tactic of long ball bypassing the midfield simply did not work and could have cost Falkirk. A valuable lesson learned for all, as the season fast approaches.

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