Match reports for 9/2/08

Grange V 1
Falkirk GHG III 2

Despite having played some good hockey, the 3rd XI had suffered 2 defeats in 2008 without scoring a single goal and they travelled to face Grange at St Georges, a pitch they had not won at in at least 5 years without striker Danny Gibney and young Ewan Jeffrey. Regardless of these facts, the 3rd XI travelled to Edinburgh in confident mood. Reverting to a more familiar 4-4-2 formation seemed to pay immediate dividends as throughout the first half Falkirk were the only side in the match. The passing hockey from front to back was absolutely outstanding and they completely played Grange off the pitch. It was no surprise therefore when they took the lead through the stick of Iain Cameron, who showed excellent presence to deftly flick the ball with his back stick into the bottom corner. The work-rate of the Falkirk side was very impressive leaving Grange with only a few half-chances which they never looked like scoring.

The second half began in the same vein, with Falkirk completely controlling the game and making many of the Grange players look foolish, as they simply passed the ball around them. Falkirk were for a time reduced to 9 men and this seemed to spur on Jamie O’Neill in the Falkirk goal, who was absolutely outstanding making save after save. Just when it looked like Falkirk had weathered the storm, Grange were amazingly lucky to sneak a goal to get them a way back into the match. However when Falkirk’s full quota of players was restored and with only 2 minutes left Iain Cameron scored again with a magnificent finish. There was time for Grange to attack again but Jamie O’Neill once again made a wonderful low athletic save to ensure that Falkirk would be taking maximum points home with them. A truly magnificent victory for a Falkirk side that simply outclassed their opponents at times during the match, with some of the passing flowing hockey they played a joy to behold.

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