Match reports for 3/3/07

Falkirk GHG II 2
Carnegie III 3

Falkirk entertained Carnegie's 3rd 11 on Saturday in what is usually a bruising encounter. Falkirk started the game poorly and were a goal behind inside the first 15 seconds. This was to be a blow they never fully recovered from. Carnegie soon doubled their lead, and despite their best efforts Falkirk struggled to get back into the game, with Craig Malcolm in inspired form in goal. Falkirk did get back into the game before half time with a contentious goal from Liam Robertson. Following good work down the right wing by James Robertson, the ball was flashed across the D. The ball struck the outside of the post, and Gregor Maxwell was on hand to set Liam up with an easy finish. Despite the Carnegie umpire being perfectly placed to see where the ball struck, the Carnegie defence still thought it necessary to claim the ball struck a wheel used to move the goals, and had therefore left the field of play before being slotted home. Despite their best efforts to badger the umpire into changing his mind the goal stood. After the break Falkirk continued to struggle and concede a 3rd goal with 15 minutes to go. Following a well worked short corner Paul Paton slotted home the home team's 2nd, but it wasn't top be enough with Falkirk losing 3 - 2 in the end.

Falkirk GHG III 3
Carnegie V 2

With recent results not having gone their way, the 3rd XI were looking for a crucial win at home to Carnegie. Captain Scott McNeill returned to the side, although the midfield trio of Robertson, Spekman and Trodden were missing for this encounter. The game started very well for Falkirk who were in control in the opening period of the game. The 3rd XI’s use of the ball was impressive and the passing hockey which had brought so much success last season was on display in the opening minutes of the game. In particular the pace of Alan McDonald, who was having his best game for the 3rd XI, was causing all kinds of problems for the visitors and Iain Cameron was unlucky not to open the scoring early on when his shot went narrowly wide. However Falkirk did deservedly take the lead midway through the half when Alan McDonald combined with Alex McFadyen his cross was touched on by Danny Gibney to Iain Cameron, where Cameron slotted home with a cool finish to make it 1-0. Falkirk were causing all kinds of problems for their visitors by moving the ball quickly an when the home side won a penalty corner, Danny Gibney flicked the ball over the diving keeper to make it 2-0. As the half wore on Falkirk had chances to score again when Gibney’s flick from a short corner narrowly sailed over the crossbar. The second half saw the pace of the game change. With Falkirk having put so much effort and running in during the first half, a shortage of fitness allowed Carnegie to start controlling the game. Dougie Smith was his usual impressive self, always winning tackles and preventing scoring opportunities along with his defensive partners Ross Connell and Scott McNeill. Chris Dyer looked to be back to his best, sitting in the midfield area and soaking up the pressure before playing the ball onwards again. As Carnegie pushed forward they were thwarted by a truly breathtaking saving by the Falkirk keeper, when he somehow managed to change direction in midair and deflect the shot over the cross bar. However Carnegie did pull a goal back from a penalty corner and the nervousness of Falkirk was telling when soon afterwards Carnegie equalised. The 3rd XI’s “never say die” attitude was to pull them through this game when in the dying minutes they were awarded a free-hit in the centre of the park and McNeill delivered a traditional thumping hit into the D which was met by Danny Gibney to score the winning goal. In the last seconds of the game the Falkirk keeper pulled of a top-class save, when a certain goal was prevented with a fantastic stop. An excellent and much needed 3 points for the 3rd XI who’s first half performance was their best this year.

Carnegie VII 2
Falkirk GHG IV 1

Falkirk travelled to Rosyth for this encounter, and always a hard fought game was on the cards. The first half started well with the team trying to pass and move, with midfield linking well with the forwards. Unfortunately 2-0 down at half time this only seemed to put some extra energy into the boys. Needing to pull 2 goals back was a priority, and great spade work from the midfield of Stuart Taylor, Robert Russell, Derry Barton, Neil McFaydyen and Craig Harper tried to make it happen for the 2 youngsters up front of Ross Dickson and Ewan Jeffrey. A great flick into the D by Harper found young Dickson to glance the volley past the Carnegie keeper. Intense pressure from Falkirk saw the defenders give short corner after short corner but to no avail, the Falkirk defenders having nothing to do second half even ventured past half way to bolster the attack with lovely touches from Willie Simpson, Scott Usher and Graeme Pitcaithly, with the ball getting into the Falkirk half only once Sam Hannah had a very easy second period, an unfortunate result especially since Carnegie were not even in the running but it was a miraculous game in goal for the Carnegie keeper who must be new to the ranks as not seen in this team yet but he did play a blinder for them. Hopefully the Falkirk boys can produce the second half performance again for the remaining 2 games of the season.

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