Match reports for 29/9/07

Falkirk GHG 2
Inveross 4

In their first home match of the season, Falkirk got off to a flyer, dominating the midfield and opening the scoring when Michael Watson converted a penalty corner. Falkirk quickly doubled their advantage when Sandy Rennie burst forward from the back, and found Gordon Anderson at the edge of the circle, who found the space to launch a shot high into the net. Despite a series of half-chances, Falkirk were unable to add to their lead, and were punished when Inveross pulled a goal back with their first shot 2 minutes before half time, although Rennie had appeared to be fouled in the lead up to the score. Despite hardly being in the game in the first half, Inveross took control at the start of the second half, and 2 goals in 2 minutes undid all of Falkirk's good work. Iain Fraser almost drew Falkirk level but his reverse stick shot was cleared off the line, and like the first half, a series of half chances were blocked or fell the wrong side of the Falkirk attack. The home side thought that they had grabbed an equaliser when Douglas Nicol's free-hit was deflected into the bottom corner by Watson, but unfortunately, the umpire had prematurely blown to award Falkirk a penalty corner, rather than delaying a second to see what transpired. With the home side camped in the visitors half, they were undone by a speculative clearance that was turned into a fine pass by alert forward play, and enabled Inveross to steal a 4th from a quick break with 2 minutes to go. Falkirk had a chance for a consolation, but with their penalty corner routine missfiring, Falkirk were left to rue what might have been.

Falkirk GHG III 2
Waverley Inveresk Trinity III 2

The 3rd XI began their league campaign with a home game against Waverley Inveresk at Bathgate. Last season, Falkirk had suffered two bad defeats to Waverley, a side who are normally well placed in the division and the Falkirk side were without 5 of their regular players including defensive lynchpin Dougie Smith and talismatic striker Danny Gibney.

It was an unfamiliar side that took to the field and they were immediately a goal down when Waverley Inveresk scored from their first penalty corner of the season, inside the opening 5 minutes. Waverley Inveresk were soon to double their advantage, when a Falkirk penalty corner, which appeared to be kicked from the line by the Waverley defender broke down and Waverley hit Falkirk on the counter attack to make it 2-0. With memories of last seasons thrashing coming to mind, this seemed to galvanise Falkirk who immediately lifted the tempo and came close to pulling a goal back, with only strong Waverley defending preventing a goal.

The second half began quietly and it took strong tackling from Derek Morrison and good midfield play by Robert Spekman and John Russell to get the side going. Alan McDonald always looked a danger and from one of his lung bursting runs Falkirk pulled a goal back, when Derek Morrison powered a penalty corner into the room of the net with the aid of a deflection from the Waverley keeper. This seemed to make Falkirk work even harder and Morrison had a chance at another penalty corner with his shot sailing inches wide. As the half wore on and with Falkirk pushing forward, Jamie O’Neill in goals, making his league debut, had a string of magnificent saves to prevent Waverley moving further in front. With only 2 minutes left on the clock Falkirk managed to lift the tempo again and equalised through a deft touch from Ross Crerar, angling the ball into the corner with the edge of his stick from the top of the D.

An excellent fight-back from the 3rd XI with the pace of play in the second half making the difference and surprisingly Falkirk appeared the fitter of the two teams. The comedy moment of the week was when a certain veteran midfielder, who seems to be going through a male menopause, decided to use the hockey ball as a shot-put and then had to go and collect it himself to take his free-hit.

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