The opening league match of the new campaign saw a young Buchan side travel the long road to Dunipace to face a Falkirk squad in buoyant mood after their demolition of Glendale last Sunday.

Coach Wilson was certainly glad to have assembled a large squad of players during the summer break as he was devoid of 5 players before today’s game.

Faith was kept with the same starting 11 from last Sunday’s game as the Bairns took to the field hoping for 3 points and a perfect start to the new campaign…………

From the first whistle the Bairns pushed forward to threaten the Buchan goal and after a driving run from Ashley McDonald after 3 minutes, her fine cross into the box was met by Sarah MacLennan whose shot went wide of the target.

Ashley’s pace and direct style of football was to cause concern all day for the Buchan full back and after 11 minutes she carved open an opportunity for herself, however her shot was cleared.

Skipper Harris found herself in a forward position after 15 minutes and her subsequent shot nestled about 4 yards from the corner flag and the chance was gone.

It was really only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and on 23 minutes the Bairms hit the back of the net.

After some poor defending from the Buchan back-line Ashley McDonald found space in the 6 yard box and toe-pocked the ball past the helpless keeper to ease the nerves (1-0). With the emphasis on attack for the Falkirk side a 2nd goal wasn’t long in arriving.

A long ball over the top of the Buchan back-line, 28 min, allowed Alana Marshall to move clear and then drill a shot past the keeper to extend the home-sides lead (2-0).

This was a very much changed Buchan side from that who played the Bairms last season as the majority of the players were rather young looking and also lacking in experience. They did muster their first attempt on goal after 37 minutes but stand-in keeper Susan Renny dealt with this with ease.

The Bairns had a glorious chance to make it number 3 after 39 minutes as Ashley McDonald out-paced the Buchan defence and made it to the by-line. Her tempting cross into the box was met by Sarah MacLennan who only managed to drag her shot wide of goal. Just before the break, 43 minutes, Alana Marshall thought she had scored with a delightful left foot shot, however it cannoned back of the post and away from goal.

Half-time:

Falkirk Ladies (2) V (0) Buchan Ladies.

Most coaches at half-time would be satisfied with their team leading by 2 goals and in complete control of the game, however Coach Wilson demands high performance levels from his players and was drilling home the need to kill the game off in the 2nd period.

Kelly Fullerton aggravated a foot injury and was replaced by Ruadh Houston at the break.

The words must have been ringing in the players ears after the re-start as it took them 90 seconds to get a third goal and end the tie as a contest. That player McDonald was again causing misery down the left side and as she broke clear in the box, 47 minutes, she unselfishly chose to square the ball for Kerry Graham who side-footed the ball home
(3-0).

The heads of the Buchan players began to dip as the Bairns continued their relentless march towards the visitor’s goal. A great run and link play from skipper Clare Harris after 56 minutes saw her deliver a great cross into the box. As the defence tried to clear their lines, the ball made its way to Katie “Jay Jay” Sheppard, who unleashed a thunderous drive high into the roof of the net to score her second in two games
(4-0).

From the moment the ball left her foot there was only going to be one outcome.

The game entered a 10 minute lull as a period of scrappy play unfolded with Buchan not offering anything in attack and the Falkirk Bairns struggling to muster 3-4 passes together.

Wee Kerry ‘Sebo’ Graham netted a 2nd goal and Falkirk’s 5th after 78 minutes as she found space in the penalty area to pick her spot and place the ball behind the Buchan keeper (5-0).

This was just reward for Kerry as she had worked tirelessly up-front throughout the match. The pint size striker (Kerry Graham) completed her hat-trick after 84 minutes as Ashley McDonald again provided the cross for the wee yin to convert the chance and extend the Falkirk lead to six (6-0).

One note of concern for Coach Wilson was the withdrawal of Alana Marshall with a head knock. Thankfully she looked okay after the game and was only nursing a headache.

A bizarre incident in the final minute saw Ashley McDonald pick up a booking for apparently throwing the ball at another player. This was a rather rash reaction from Ash and one that will cost her in the pocket.

Full-time:

Falkirk Ladies (6) V (0) Buchan Ladies.

Coach Wilson Commented: -

I am delighted to get the league campaign off to a winning start and to keep a clean sheet was pleasing too. To control a game from start to finish was encouraging and the ladies didn’t really have to come out of 2nd gear today.

The performances of Becky Robertson in the heart of the defence and the front three strikers were excellent. The players know that they must treat every match as if it were a cup-final to ensure we reach our goal at the end of the season.

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