The current league leaders, Inverness Ladies, rolled into town today as the Falkirk Ladies looked to put the disappointment of the last 2 league games behind then and try to get their promotion aspirations back on track.

Skipper Clare Harris retuned to the side from her recent injury and it was also encouraging to see the clubs top scorer, Kerry Graham, make her way on to the subs bench as she also makes progress back from recent injury woes.

Due to the disappointing result last weekend, Coach Wilson made 3 changes to the starting eleven as the ladies took to the field in a must win game.

In fact is was the Bairns who create the games first chance in the 3rd min as Ashley McDonald found herself with space in the penalty area however her snap shot was saved easily by the Inverness keeper.

The visitor’s were certainly not there to make up the numbers and really should have taken the lead on 5 min. A cross from the right made its way to the back post and the unmarked Inverness striker shot wide with an open goal in front of her.

The opening goal arrived after 9 min and it was for the glorious Falkirk Bairns. A long hopeful ball from the midfield caught the Inverness defence on the hop and Alana Marshall sprinted clear from her marker to fire past the keeper and into the corner of the net (1-0).

This was the start that Coach Wilson had demanded from his players and they were responding in great style.

An enforced change for the visitors saw a rather early substitution after 18 min due to injury.

The long ball over the defence for the pacey McDonald and Marshall nearly paid off again after 27 min as Alana Marshall found herself sprinting through on goal but only to see her resulting shot drift wide of the post.

With the Falkirk Bairns pressing for a 2nd goal it was the turn of Emma Lyons to try and test the Inverness keeper after 37 min but her shot was blocked and the chance was gone.

With Coach Wilson desperate for a 2nd goal his prayers were answered on 42 min as Ashley McDonald created space for herself on the right of the penalty area and her sweetly struck shot bent past the despairing hands of the keeper and into the back of the net to give the Bairns a well deserved 2-goal cushion
(2-0).

Half-Time:
Falkirk Ladies (2) V (0) Inverness Ladies.


What a difference to see the ladies playing with a little more passion and self-belief as this was a total contrast to the previous weekend against Hutchieson Vale where it was sadly lacking.

The ladies were told in no certain terms that the game was there for the taking and an early 3rd goal in the 2nd period would effectively kill the game.

The 2nd half started very much like the 1st with the Falkirk Bairns pressing the Inverness goal. In fact on 47 min Ashley McDonald found space in the box but unfortunately she lacked a little composure and fired over the bar.

The chances were coming thick and fast and on 51 min Alana Marshall raced clear of the Inverness defence, rounded the keeper and with an open goal managed to fire high and wide past the post.

A fantastic sweeping move on 54 min saw Roy and Shirley combine well in the central midfield area and release Clare Harris down the right. Her 1st time cross into the box was a teaser however there were no takers in the red shirts of Falkirk.

On 60 minutes Inverness were to get themselves back into the match with a goal. A deep cross from the Falkirk left found 2 players unmarked at the back post and the ball found its way to the back of the net (2-1).

The game should really have been put to bed by this point and the frustration on Coach Wilson’s face was clear to see.

As the Bairns searched for the illusive 3rd goal a majestic run from Ashley McDonald, 76 min, saw her move from her own half, down the left flank and into the Inverness penalty area. Her resulting shot was saved by the visiting keeper.

The nerves were starting to show a little in the Falkirk side as Inverness forced a corner on 84 min. The ball was played into the penalty area and after a little hesitation, it was finally cleared.

The last real chance for Inverness came on 87 min as they were awarded a free-kick some 30 yards from goal, however the Bairns managed to clear the danger.

All eyes were on the referee at this point and he brought the proceedings to an end on 90 minutes and with it a very valuable 3 points for the Falkirk Ladies.

Full-Time:
Falkirk Ladies (2) V (1) Inverness Ladies.


Coach Wilson Commented:

What a difference a week makes as I am delighted to get all 3 points against the current league leaders. I asked the players to show me more passion, determination and a willingness to win and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

If I was to pick a fault with the performance it was the fact that we controlled a high percentage of the game, created chance after chance and yet still could not kill of the opposition earlier in the game.

However given the last 2 performances and results I am certainly a happy coach tonight.