Clyde Ladies V Falkirk Ladies.
Sunday 18th May 2008 –
2:00pm kick-off.
Kirkintilloch Sports Centre.
“Marshall Hat-Trick For the Bairns”
After the disappointment of last Sunday's defeat to Dalkeith, the ladies were looking to bounce back with a much needed confidence boosting win against Clyde Ladies at the Kirkintilloch Sports Centre today. With only 3 league games to play the coaching team were demanding 3 wins to finish on a high this season as the preparations have already started for the next campaign.
Playing in a 3-1-4-2 formation the ladies kicked off.........................
The playing surface in Kirkie was looking great for this time of the season and it was the Falkirk Bairns who went on the early offensive looking for the opening goal. A slick move down the Clyde right, 2min, saw Ashley McDonald drive to the by-line and deliver a great cross to the penalty area the ball was controlled by Emma 'Kirky' Lyons and laid into the path of pint size striker Kerry Graham however her sharp shot was well saved by the home keeper. With the Bairns continuing to win the early ball and press the home guard a sickening clash of heads brought play to a halt on 7min. Clare Harris and Arlene Livingstone both went to header the same ball and only succeeded in bashing their heads together. Thankfully after treatment both players got to their feet however Arlene Livingstone was not able to continue.
Sub (7min) - Arlene Livingston (off) Kelly Fullerton (on)
Falkirk were enjoying the bulk of the possession and with 5 players across the midfield engine room it wasn’t really a surprise. A free-kick on the right side of the penalty area on 12min was driven goal wards by Shirley Martin however the keeper touched the ball over the bar. The first clear chance of note on 17min should have produced the opening goal. The normally clinical Kerry Graham found herself 6 yards from goal and with only the keeper to beat but instead of the back of the net bulging, the ball trickled past the post, a major let-off for the Clyde side. The home side were struggling to create any real chances of note and it wasn’t until the 27min that they forced their first corner. The ball was swung into the penalty area however the Bairns defence stood solid and cleared their lines.
The coaching team thought that their luck had changed on 29min as Kerry Graham turned sharply on a loose ball in the penalty area, only to blast the ball wide high and handsome over the cross bar. The Bairns were winning a fair percentage of ball in the midfield area however the final ball in the attacking third of the pitch was letting them down as time and time again the ball was being over hit and allowing the home defence to regain possession. On 42min Ashley McDonald was fouled on the edge of the penalty area and so presented Shirley Martin with a shooting opportunity. After a sweetly driven right foot shot the keeper managed to tip the ball over the bar and away for a corner. On the stroke of half-time, 44min, young striker Kerry Graham must have thought her luck was out completely as she missed the opportunity to open the scoring after picking up a loose ball inside the penalty area. With the entire goal to choose from and the keeper to beat she scuffed her shot and sent it past the post.
Half-Time: Clyde Ladies (0) V (0) Falkirk Ladies
The vibe from the coaching team was one of confidence as they were happy with the way the ladies had performed in the opening 45 minutes and infact had created numerous opportunities to break the scoring and have their noses in front. Providing the players started the 2nd period in the same fashion as the first the coaching team were confident that the goals would come..........
After the break it was the home-side who made the early running by winning two corners in quick succession, 47min, 49min, both of which were cleared by the Falkirk defence. The Bairns won a free-kick, 51min, wide on the right of the penalty box and Kirky Lyons flighted the ball to the back post where wee pint size striker Kerry Graham was waiting but her first time shot went wide of the mark. Nicole Letford was working hard in the engine room to retain possession and it was her excellent through ball that opened the scoring on 53min. Picking the ball up midway inside the Clyde half she sent Alana Marshall clear on goal and as the keeper advanced she picked her spot and slotted home, much to the relief of the bench (0-1). Could the Bairns build on this lead, well yes but not before they gifted the home side a life-line.
A corner, 56min, on the Falkirk left was played to the back post and with the Bairns defence static the Clydeforward ghosted in at the back post with a free header to level the match, certainly not deserved on the basis of the game to that point (1-1). This left the coaching team shaking their heads in disbelief as once again the players had got themselves into a winning position but failed to capitalise on their superiority. It was going to be a test of how the Falkirk Bairns would react and they certainly did not disappoint. The Clyde defence was having some trouble winning the ball within the laws of the game and so presented a free-kick to the Bairns some 25yards from goal on 65min. Emma 'Kirky' Lyons lined the ball up and thankfully Coach Wilson kept his mouth shut as he was about to direct Shirley Martin to take the resulting dead ball, however Kirky placed a delightful curling shot over the keeper and into the roof of the net to restore the Bairns lead (1-2).
Directly from the re-start, 66min, the Bairns stole possession from the Clyde midfield and the pacey Alana Marshall found herself racing towards goal and like so often this season the end result was never in doubt as the back of the net bulged with a fine shot from her left foot (1-3). This quick double knocked the wind from the Clyde players and the heads began to drop. With the Falkirk players playing with a little more confidence now the ball was being stroked around with ease and it was no surprise when the fourth goal arrived. A basic long ball over the top set Alana Marshall clear, 73min, with the home side claiming off-side. Alana showed her class by controlling the ball with ease and then lofting the ball over the advancing keeper to seal her hat-trick and Falkirk's fourth goal (1-4).
Sub (75min) - Clare Harris (off) Jennifer Dick (on)
Due to the clash of heads with Arlene and Clare in the opening minutes, Skipper Harris was now feeling the effects and was withdrawn from the action.
The match was now dead and buried from a Clyde point of view but there was still time for the home sides centre half and Kerry Graham to exchange pleasantries after they both clashed going for the same ball. Just to prevent any further action on the pitch young Kerry was withdrawn from the action to give Laura Yuill the chance to stretch her legs.
Sub (80min) - Kerry Graham (off) Laura Yuill (on)
The remainder of the match played out and the referee brought proceeding to a halt on 90 minutes.
Full-Time: Clyde Ladies (1) V (4) Falkirk Ladies
Coach Wilson Commented:- The performance today was pleasing as the players showed the bouncebackability that they have as a squad. After displaying high energy levels last Sunday and getting nothing from it was great to see them work hard again and being rewarded with 3 points and four well taken goals. Alana Marshall only had 3 clear chances in the whole match and it resulted in a hat-trick, simply a joy to watch. Sarah MacLennan did her chances of a starting slot next week no harm with a faultless display at full-back while the entire midfield engine room fought for every ball.
Next up......................a journey North........
Sunday 25th May
SWFA 1st Division.
Buchan Ladies V Falkirk Ladies
Come on the Bairns !!!!!!!!!!!!
