The 2^nd meeting of these two clubs in the space of 7 days provided a break from the league campaign and allowed Coach Wilson the chance to concentrate on Cup duty with this 3^rd round clash.

With a 3-3 draw in the league match last week at Dunipace, another mouth watering clash was anticipated.  Recent new signing Natalie Stewart was given her Falkirk debut and Arlene Livingston was re-called to the heart of the defence to partner the ever impressive Becky Robertson.

The Falkirk formation changed from its normal 3-4-3 to a more defensive 4-1-4-1 as Coach Wilson looked to stifle the attacking threat of United.  In the early stages it was the home side that enjoyed more possession as they looked for early break through.

A corner for United after 9 min was drilled into the penalty area however the resulting header went high and wide and the danger was gone.  Falkirk’s first real attack of note came after 12 min as Shirley Martin picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and her resulting shot was saved by the keeper.

A worrying moment arrived on 20 min as Ashley McDonald went down under a challenge from a United defender.  Thankfully she was on her feet in no time and feeling no ill effects.  With the home side enjoying more of the ball they managed to win a free kick on 26 min.  As the ball was played in the Falkirk defence seemed to switch off and allow a free header, however this went wide and the chance was gone.

Within 60 seconds of this opportunity for United, the Falkirk Bairns took the lead.  After some neat work from Ashley McDonald down the left side, her resulting cross was half cleared by the home side and Kerry Graham picked up a loose ball and calmly lofted her right foot shot over the keeper and into the back of the net (0-1). 

The new look formation seemed to be favouring the Bairns at this point as they looked comfortable in this new defensive shape.  This was no sooner thought then the self destruct button was pressed by the Falkirk side.  On 30 min a long clearance from the home keeper had the Falkirk defence on the back foot and as Arlene Livingston played the ball back to Keeper Renny her clearance fell short and straight to the United striker who dispatched the ball to the back of the net to level things (1-1).

With the match flowing from end to end at this point the next opportunity fell to the home side as they won yet another free kick, 39 min.  As the ball was lofted into the penalty area the Falkirk defence allowed (again) a free header in the box, this time the woodwork came to the rescue and the ball was cleared.

That really should have been the wake up call for the ladies however this proved not to be the case in the final 2 minutes of the half.  A corner from the left, 43 min was played into the penalty box and a United striker was allowed to jump and head the ball into the back of the net to give the home side the lead (2-1). 

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

Coach Wilson demanded more urgency from his players at the half-time chat as United were winning the midfield battle.

The 2^nd half started a little brighter for the Falkirk Bairns as they forced the opening corner after 48 mins.  As Shirley Martin played the ball across there were no takers in the blue of the Bairns at the back post and the chance was gone.  The home side should have extended their lead after 58 minutes as a shot which beat keeper Renny was cleared off the line from Arlene Livingston. 

In an attempt to inject some urgency to the Falkirk side, Coach Wilson made a double substitution on 60 min.  Natalie Stewart and Kelly Fullerton were withdrawn and Roy Houston and Alana Marshall were introduced to the action.  A school-boy error on 65 min provided the home side with a penalty after Arlene Livingston carelessly left a foot in on a United attacker as she entered the penalty box and down she went.  The referee was left with no option but to point to the spot.  Goal United (3-1).

With Falkirk now chasing the game Ashley McDonald was pushed forward to join Alana Marshall and Kerry Graham in a 3 man attack.  In fact a long ball over the top, 74 min, saw Alana race away from the back line, only for the ref to call a dubious offside decision.  A glimmer of hope after 81 min saw the Bairns pull a goal back.  A fantastic challenge from Katie Sheppard on the edge of the penalty box saw Ashley and Alana link well down the left flank and Alana’s cross was met by Kerry Graham who dispatched the ball to the back of the net (3-2).

Time was now against the Falkirk side and in the final minute, 89 min, of the game they sealed their own fate as a poor defensive clearance fell straight at the foot of a United striker and she finished with ease to put the game beyond the Bairns (4-2).

Full-Time:      Dundee United (4) V (2) Falkirk Ladies.

Coach Wilson Commented: - 4 errors, 4 goals, not really much more to comment on.  Until we learn to defend properly and take responsibility on the pitch, we will be punished.  We will always create chances and with the form of Kerry Graham at the moment we are likely to score.  This will count for nothing unless we tighten up.

Next up -        SWFA 1^st Division – Cowdenbeath Ladies V Falkirk Ladies

Sunday 6^th October 07.

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