The Bairns' News

Due to the SWFA dragging their disciplinary heels regarding an issue in the league, the ladies had an extra week off last Sunday and so they were relishing today’s encounter against title challengers Dundee United, formally Lochee.

Going into today’s game the ladies have had to play second fiddle to the visitors as Falkirk have failed to record anything other than a defeat, a stat the Coach Wilson was keen change.

One notable change to the Falkirk line-up was the inclusion of goal-keeper Natalie Williamson from the under 17 side. This was due to the continued injury of Fiona Melville and Susan Renny being on holiday.

The match kicked off in lively fashion, 2 min, with pint size winger Kerry Graham making her way down the flank although her cross was deflected and into the visitor’s keeper’s hands. Dundee United, 4 min, pushed forward down the right flank and a snap shot when flying high and hansom over Natalie’s bar.

The next 5 minutes of action was to produce 3 goals as the pace of the game went into over drive. On 6 min, Ashley McDonald picked up a loose ball some 25 yards from goal and her fine curling shot lofted over the keepers head and into the net to give the Bairns the lead (1-0).

This lead was to last all of 90 seconds as a combination of slack defending and a speculative shot from the United striker saw the ball loop high and over the head of Natalie to level the match (1-1). In true spirited fashion the ladies rolled up their sleeves and went searching for another opportunity. A united defensive clearance found Jennifer Dick mid-way inside their half after 10 min and her cross field ball found Kerry Graham springing the offside trap and her cool finish past the advancing keeper saw the home restore their lead (2-1).

The game continued to flow from end to end with both sides looking for that all important scoring opportunity. Ashley McDonald, 24 min, was next to test the visitor’s goal but her tame shot was easily saved. Dundee United were next to take the initiative during the half by forcing 2 corners in quick succession, however the home defence dealt with this comfortably.

One big turning point in the game came after 39 min as the united striker found herself through on goal, however stand-in keeper Natalie stood tall and bravely dived at the feet of the striker and stopped the resulting shot. This certainly helped to preserve the Falkirk lead at the half-time break.

Half-Time: Falkirk (2) V (1) Dundee United.

The half-time words of wisdom from Coach Wilson was to ensure that the energy levels were kept high and to utilise the teams strength which is pace and power down either flank. However it was United who were first to test the home side after 50 min as a free-kick from the right side was lofted into the penalty area and the resulting shot went well wide.

An enforced change after 54 min saw Alana Marshall limp off to be replaced by Fiona Kane. This also resulted in a change of formation for the ladies as Coach Wilson decided to pack the midfield with 5 players.

A glorious chance to cement the home sides lead presented itself after 60 minutes as the United keeper could only parry an Ashley McDonald shot into the path of Kerry Graham but the wee yin only succeeded in firing over the bar. The referee awarded a free kick to the visitors after 64 min which was well inside their own half. As they proceeded to try and take it quickly the ball was blocked by Ruadh Houston and subsequently she was shown the yellow card.

With the game finally balanced it was the visitors who were next to score as a well placed shot fired past a well beaten Natalie to bring the game back all square (2-2). Similar to the first half, how would the ladies respond to chasing the game again. Well we had to wait a whole 60 seconds for the answer as Kerry Graham latched on to a through ball and as the keeper advanced, she simply lofted the ball over her head and into the back of the net to give the Bairns the lead for the 3rd time (3-2).

Skipper Clare Harris was next to find herself into the referee’s note book after 70 minutes for a rather late challenge. Similar to Roy’s booking earlier, neither player can have any complaint. The inability to defend cross ball’s was to raise it’s ugly head again for the home side after 74 min as a simple cross from the right into the Bairns penalty area and the United striker was allowed to ghost in front of Becky Robertson to head home the equaliser (3-3).

As the match drew to a close, 88 min, the visitors had a glorious chance to sneak all 3 points as one of their players found herself with acres of space in the penalty area and her subsequent shot was pulled wide of the far post and away to safety.

Full-Time: Falkirk (3) V (3) Dundee United.

Coach Wilson Commented: -

On reflection a draw was probably a fair result today however it is important to try and win all our home league games. At least 2 of the goals that United scored today came from poor defending from a back-line and midfield prospective, however stand-in keeper Natalie was a saviour through out the match.

Next Sunday will see both sides lock horns again in the 3rd round of the League Cup and there will be a fair few changes to the starting eleven. With the league championship taking on far more importance for me this year this is an ideal opportunity to rest a few players and give a few some game time.

Come on the Bairns !!!!!!

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