Match reports for 6/10/07

Alpha Data Carnegie 1
Falkirk GHG 2

Falkirk got back to winning ways by taking a well deservd 3 points in this local derby, but as the scoreline suggests, there was little between the sides. The first half was a stalemate as both teams cancelled each other out and play was bogged down in the middle of the park. Falkirk's best chance of the half fell to Jonny Anderson, but his shot was kept out by the post. The second half started in the same manner as the first, with few chances falling to either side, but the game sparked into life with 15 mnutes remaining. A free hit from the visitors was blocked by the Carnegie keeper on the first couple of attempts, but Craig Gove finally forced the ball home for his first of the season. Within a couple of minutes Falkirk had doubled their lead, as Stafford Dickson's shot from the edge of the box was deflected into his own net by a Carnegie stick. This lead was short lived as Carnegie pulled a goal back from a well worked penalty corner, and almost grabbed an equaliser that looked goalbound from the spectators point of view, but fortunately for the visitors, slipped just past the outside of the post. Carnegie had a few chances to steal a point at the end, but Robert Thomson was in fine form to deny them and earn Falkirk the 3 points.

Falkirk GHG III 2
Edinburgh Uni V 1

After last weekends brilliant second half fight back to rescue a draw, Falkirk's 3rd XI welcomed Edinburgh University 5th XI to Linlithgow, looking for their first win of the season. The Falkirk side were boosted by the return of Dougie Smith and Danny Gibney to the line-up, although the highly creative John Russell was missing. Falkirk got off to a flying start when Gibney came close to opening the scoring in the first minute when a brilliant reverse-stick flick from the top of the D sailed inches of the crossbar. Edinburgh University however were soon showing their own attacking abilities and only some good defending prevented the University side opening the scoring. It was Falkirk who made the breakthrough midway through the half when a Scott McNeill long corner was met by a brilliant volleyed finish by Iain Cameron for his first of the season. However, Edinburgh University immediately went on the attack, requiring Stephen Macdonald and Dougie Smith to be at their defensive best. Young Alan McDonald looked dangerous on the right hand side and he forced the Uni keeper into a top save, after a lung-bursting run saw him find space in the D. As the half wore on Robert Spekman and young Ross Dickson looked to be in complete control in the crucial central midfield area and it was from this dominance that Falkirk doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time, when Iain Cameron saw his first effort saved by the keeper, but reacted faster than anyone else to prod the ball over the line for his second of the afternoon. Edinburgh University seemed to lift the pace in the second half and Falkirk found it difficult to win the possession in crucial areas of the pitch. As Edinburgh University pushed forward they were thwarted time and time again by the defensive line and the Falkirk keeper Jamie O’Neill, who was having an outstanding afternoon. Although Edinburgh University did pull a goal back from a rebound following a brilliant first save from O’Neill, Falkirk managed to hold on for their first win of the campaign. Falkirk can be really pleased with the passing hockey they produced to dominate the first half and then the way they resolutely defended, with the whole team contributing to an excellent win.

Falkirk GHG IV  4
Stirling Uni II 1
 
After last weeks draw a slightly changed Falkirk side took to the Bathgate pitch with a upbeat tempo. After 4 mins of the first half the Falkirk side got a short corner and was quickly converted by a well struck shot from Paul Paton which found the bottom right of the goal leaving the keeper standing flat. Falkirk kept up the passing game which left the Uni side chasing the ball round the park, from the back the ball was passed through the middle stalwarts of Derry Barton and John Russell to the youngsters up front who had some deft touches which either went wide of were saved by the visiting keeper. A Paul Paton shot was picked up by John Russell who deflected it past the keeper to add Falkirk's second. The second half open strongly for Falkirk and within four minutes of the start Paul Keane had added the third after interplay with Ross Crerar at the top of the D. The Uni pulled won back when John Hughes stopped a goal bound shot with his foot and the resulting penalty stroke eluded the stick of Chris Taylor in goal. Spurred on by this the Uni kept up the pressure but could make no headway against a determined and well organised Falkirk side who closed down all the visitors attacking options. The final goal came from another short corner strike from Paul Paton which was going wide until a defenders stick deflected it into the net for him to round off a good team performance by the Falkirk side.

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