Match reports for 4/4/09

Falkirk GHG 3
Uddingston 4

Falkirk had the chance to secure their 2nd division status with victory over Uddingston, but ended up losing out to a last minute strike. The coach of fellow strugglers Giffnock was appointed as one of the neutral umpires, and although Falkirk didn't play as well as the previous week, a series of decisions in the second half left them increasingly frustrated. Uddingston dominated from the first whistle, and had a series of penalty corner attempts from which they eventually scored with a direct strike. Falkirk got back into the game against the run of play, when Iain Fraser reacted quickest to a saved Gordon Anderson shot to scoop the ball into the net. Robert Thomson kept Falkirk level with a couple of fine saves, and at the other end, Michael Watson was denied by a last ditch tackle from behind when trying to round the goalkeeper. Uddingston took the lead at the start of the second half from another penalty corner, but Chris Anderson levelled from close range with a neat back post finish. Uddingston then had the ball in the net for a third time, and although the goal was initially awarded, it was then overturned after discussion between the 2 umpires. A brilliant passing move between the Anderson's down the left wing was finished off by Watson to give Falkirk the lead with 15 minutes to go, and the home side thought they had earned a penalty when Dickson shot was blocked by a defender, but the shot was adjudged to be going wide. Uddingston hit back with a disputed goal from another penalty corner, the goal being awarded despite the protestations of the home defence that the first strike was illegally high. The visitors then had the ball in the net for a fifth time, but once again, after consultation between the 2 umpires, this was also overturned. Uddingston missed a chance to retake the lead with a quick break, but after missing with a reverse stick shot, were compensated by a sin-bin for Falkirk, for what appeared to be an over-reaction from the umpire to a consolatory gesture from the defender to his opposite number. With time running out, Uddingston were finally awarded their winning goal after a scramble in the box, to give them a result that was probably deserved on the balance of play.

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