Match reports for 7/10/06

Inveross 0
Falkirk GHG 1

Falkirk won for the second year in a row at Inverness, but with a less than convincing performance. Despite starting 30 minutes late after waiting for Umpires to travel from Kinloss, Falkirk started well and controlled the midfield, but were unable to create any clear chances. Falkirk took the lead from a penalty corner, when a dambusters effort from Michael Watson found it's way past the Inveross keeper, but despite some sustained pressure, the visitors were unable to get a second goal. Inveross managed to play their way back into the game, and only goalline clearances from Sandy Rennie and Gordon Anderson kept Falkirk ahead at half time. The second half was a more balanced affair, as the game went from end to end, but a combination of poor passing and finishing in the final third from both sides meant that neither goal was troubled. Falkirk had called upon Kevin Cumming to deputise between the sticks, and the former Falkirk 2nd team keeper earned plaudits for a fantastic diving save, using his stick to deflect the ball wide after the shot looked like finding the bottom corner. Falkirk also handed a league debut to Stuart MacNeill who had been promoted from the 2nd's, and the youngster put in a decent shift operating on either wing, showing a willingness to attack and defend. In the final few minutes, Falkirk once again found their passing, which enabled them to take the sting out of the game and return home with 3 valuable points.

Alloa 4
Falkirk GHG II 2

The 2nd XI's search for their first win of the season continues after a poor result against Alloa at Goldenacre on Saturday. Falkirk travelled missing 6 regulars, but should have had sufficient talent in the players brought in to beat a stuffy Alloa team. As with previous weeks Falkirk started quite poorly and found themselves a goal down early on. But after some good work around the edge of the D from a number of players Gregor Maxwell levelled the scores with an impudent back stick finish. After the half time break Alloa moved into a 3 - 1 lead, before Liam Robertson capped a good all round performance with a fine strike to bring Falkirk back to within 1. Falkirk then lost their 12th man, as a ball flew up off a stick into the face of Robert Speckman. Minus a tooth and with a rather nasty gash on his upper lip, he was unable to continue playing, and had to be taken to the hospital following the final whistle. This did nothing to help Falkirk's cause and as legs tired Alloa sealed the 3 points with a 4th goal.

Falkirk GHG III 2
Erskine Stewarts Melville III 2

The 3rd XI faced newly promoted Stewarts Melville’s, in their first home league fixture of the season. After an impressive display of passing hockey against Carnegie the previous week, the Falkirk side were looking to show their title credentials but knew they would be in for a tough test against a good side. The half got off to an excellent start for Falkirk, with a hard working midfield performance giving the home side much of the early possession, but the 3rd XI couldn’t turn their accession into goals. Danny Gibney came close when he found space but his near post shot was well saved by the visitors keeper. Robert Speckman again looked in complete control in his role as sweeper and seemed to be intrinsically linked to Dougie Smith as the central defence pair broke down a number of Mevilles’ attacks. On the few occasions the visitors managed to get past the home defence Chris Taylor in goal looked in good form, making three top stops to keep the scoreline blank. As the half wore on it was Falkirk who were doing all the attacking but couldn’t find a path to goal. The second half started as the previous one finished, with Falkirk again in complete control and they deservedly took the lead with a composed backstick finish from Johny Anderson. This seemed to spur on Melvilles, who had rarely looked threatening and on the one occasion they left their own half they won a penalty flick which the duly converted to equalise. Again Falkirk were not to be outdone and deservedly took the lead again when Scott Coventry ran at the Melvilles defence, beating 5 players before placing a precision pass to Johny Anderson. Anderson’s shot deflected upwards off the goalkeeper and found Iain Cameron with space to safely volley home at chest-height. However, Melvilles were to have the last laugh, when the Falkirk defence was harshly penalised and Melvilles scored from the resulting short corner effort. Falkirk were extremely unlucky not to take maximum points against a side they completely outplayed for the entire match and will look forward to rectifying matters in the return leg in February. With no match next week the 3rd XI can rest tired limbs and face the forthcoming challenges with a renewed vigour.

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