Match reports for 15/3/08

Falkirk GHG III 4
Edinburgh Uni VI 2

The 3rd XI faced Edinburgh University 6s in their penultimate league game of the season at Bathgate. In a hard-fought encounter in early January, Edinburgh University had come out narrow victors. Falkirk were keen to avenge this defeat and had close to a full squad to pick from for this encounter. Captain McNeill was particularly pleased to be able to pick Ewan Jeffrey, Paul Keane and Ross Dickson, 3 of the most talented young players in the club. Duncan Kehoe also made a long awaited return from serious injury. Falkirk came flying out the blocks and were in early control of this match. It wasn’t long until they opened the scoring when a penalty corner was well saved by the Edinburgh University goalkeeper and Ross Crerar was on hand to flick the ball into the net. Falkirk came close to making it 2-0 when Ewan Jeffrey and Iain Cameron combined well, but the University goalkeeper made a great save. Gibney was next to threaten, when his penalty corner flick sailed towards goal, but the diving goalkeeper somehow got a touch to turn it over the bar. Towards the end of the half, Falkirk were awarded a penalty flick when Iain Cameron’s goalbound shot was stopped illegally by a defender. Danny Gibney stepped up and confidently flicked the ball high towards the goal, but the Edinburgh University goalkeeper somehow produced a quite miraculous save which even the disappointed Falkirk players applauded.

The second half saw Edinburgh University lift their game and the Falkirk backline of Malcolm in goal, Gibney, McNeill, Dyer and Macdonald were in excellent form, preventing many clear cut chances as the students moved the ball around the pitch and Falkirk seemed to tire. Malcolm in goal in particular produced two absolutely top-drawer saves. However Edinburgh University were to equalise from the penalty spot. Conceding a goal might have been the best thing that could have happened to the home side, as they suddenly appeared a different team again, with their passing game returning. It wasn’t long until they took the lead again when an excellent Robert Spekman freehit at the edge of the D was met by the stick of Iain Cameron who deftly deflected the ball into the top corner. This seemed to rattle the students and Falkirk made it 3-1 only minutes latter when Gibney once again saw his goalbound flick saved by the goalkeeper but Cameron was quickly following up as he volleyed in for his second goal in two minutes. The scoring wasn’t finished there however Edinburgh University again lifted their game and with 10 minutes remaining pulled a goal back to make it 3-2. As a famous knight of the realm once said, the last 10 minutes was “squeaky bum” time for Falkirk, however Gibney at sweeper was in particularly fine form as he ensured Edinburgh University were not to score again. In the last seconds of the match Ross Crerar fired in a 4th goal from the top of the D following excellent play by Duncan Kehoe, as Falkirk 3s held on for a hard-fought win. This was an excellent game of hockey, played in great spirit by two excellent teams. Despite losing their lead, it was commendable that Falkirk continued to play attractive passing hockey, which might not have been the case in previous years and they got their deserved rewards with another win. Special mention must be made of young Paul Keane, who in particular was outstanding and also of Duncan Kehoe who was excellent on his return to the 3rd XI.

[Home Page] [Results Page]