FALKIRK LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB

Match Report – SWFA League ¼ final.

Buchan Ladies V Falkirk Ladies

Sunday 12^th October 2008

2:00pm Kick Off

“Brilliant Bairns Brush By Battling Buchan.”

Finally……the weather relented at the weekend to allow the Falkirk Ladies to travel north and face 2^nd division league leaders Buchan Ladies in the quarter final of this year’s league cup competition.

New signing, goal-keeper Natalya Machola was added to the travelling squad however Coach Wilson was devoid of the services of Becky Robertson, Laura Yuill, Jennifer Dick and Sheryl Gallagher though various issues.

The pitch was in fantastic condition as the glorious Falkirk Ladies took to the field…… playing in a 4-1-3-2 formation.

Minute by Minute Report (Falkirk in Blue)…..

Ø      2min – A strong run from Nicky Docherty down the left flank resulted in her firing a neat shot towards goal which the keeper saved for a corner.

Ø      3min – Falkirk continue to make the early running and force a corner on the right however the home defence stood strong and the ball was cleared.

Ø      10min - Buchan managed to get forward and force a corner on the right however the Falkirk defence stood strong and the ball was cleared from danger.

Ø      GOAL – 13min – Arlene Livingston picked the ball up midway into the Buchan half before playing a delightful ball into the path of Ashley McDonald who finished neatly to give the Bairns the lead (0-1) *

Ø      GOAL – 17min – The ball found it’s way towards Kelly Fullerton just inside the penalty area and her exquisite volley sailed high into the roof of the net (0-2) *

Ø      GOAL – 18min – Clare Harris powered her way down the right flank before delivering a majestic cross into the penalty area and Ashley McDonald sent a powerful header past the home keeper and into the net (0-3) *

Ø      30min – Kerry Graham picked up the ball and as she advanced forward into the penalty area her first time shot sailed high and wide of the target.  A little more composure may have resulted in a happier outcome.

Ø      31min – Buchan worked their way down the Falkirk left and the resulting shot sailed high and wide of the target.

Ø      GOAL – 40min – A long ball forward from the Falkirk defence saw skipper Clare Harris race down on goal and as the home keeper advanced from her line the skipper managed to ‘toe end’ the ball past her and into the empty net (0-4) *

HALF TIME –

Buchan Ladies (0) – (4) Falkirk Ladies.

Ø      49min – Clare Harris darted into the Buchan penalty area and her neat right foot shot beat the keeper however not the far post and ball cannoned off it and away to safety.  2 goals in the one game would have made the bus journey home totally murder !!!!!

Ø      52min - Buchan went on the offensive and forced 2 quick free-kicks in succession however the Falkirk defence stood firm and the danger was gone.

Ø      56min – After a succession of fouls around the pitch, Maxine Thornton was                                                                                                                               yellow card by the referee. More from Maxine later.

Ø      GOAL – 60min – A Falkirk free-kick on the left side off the penalty area was quickly taken by Kirky and Ashley and as the ball was played into the box, Maxine Thornton got a header towards goal which beat the keeper (0-5) *

Ø      66min – Skipper Clare Harris joined Maxine in the book for descent.

Ø      GOAL – 74min -  A Buchan free-kick was played into the penalty area and with the Falkirk defence being slow to react a neat shot from the striker found the back off the net via the cross bar (1-5).

Ø      82min – Frustration set-in for Kerry Graham and she also joined her team-mates in the book for descent.

Ø      83min – With tackles flying in from both sides Maxine Thornton mis-timed once too many for the referee’s liking and she was shown red card.

FULL TIME –

Buchan Ladies (1) – (5) Falkirk Ladies.

Coach Wilson’s Synopsis: -  The game was really won in the first 40 minutes as the players set about the job in hand in a professional manner.  All the goals were well taken and this knocked the stuffing from the Buchan players as we did expect a tough afternoon.  The link play down both flanks was excellent and defensively we looked very strong.  Both Kirky and Kelly worked hard in the midfield engine room too.

One down side was the apparent lack of in-discipline in the 2^nd half when we were in a very comfortable position although this does not detract from the first class performance from all the players.  We now have a semi-final clash against Glasgow City B to look forward too now.

Between now and then we have 2 vital league games to contend with and next week sees the Falkirk Ladies face Bo ‘ness Ladies at the Pace – 2pm kick-off.