The Bairns' News

Academy Friendly (February 07, 2009)

Match Report 1

The Falkirk Red team played a friendly earlier today against Falkirk Academy at the new astro-turf at Grangemouth HS. Expecting the match to be alled off due to the forecast 'big freeze' coaches Alison & Annmarie were delighted to instead get to see the team back in action.

The team would have been down to the bare bones of 12 players if not from the added support of Rebecca & Kirsten from the Blues and Colette & Rachel from the 13's so thanks to those girls.

Last season both teams had been evenly matched but the Academy side came out on top on each occasion so it would be a test for the Reds to have belief in themselves and challenge for the result.

The Reds started well and for the first 20-25 minutes held their own and created a few oportunities but did not capitalise at the opponents end. Goalkeeper Lorraine had to be on top form and repeatedly the Academy's No 12 made it hard work for centre-halves Jillian and Hayley. But just after 25 minutes the Academy broke down the right wing and beat left-back Aimee, cutting the ball past three Red defenders to allow an easy tap in from the edge of the 6-yard box. 1-0.

The Reds started to panic and lost their shape and focus for awhile and this gave the Academy girls even more room to run and control the game. Just before half-time the Academy player broke through on the left and split Jillian and Hayley to put in their second goal. 2-0.

At half-time Alison and Annmarie praised the girl sfor putting up a great performance as there really was not much difference between the two sides. They just need to calm down and not give the opposition as much time on the ball.

The second half was a different story and was dominated by the Falkirk Reds who had taken heart from their 1st-half performance andbegan to exert their own style on the game. They were still making errors but the confidence and passing when going forward was starting to have an effect. Even when the Academy broke away either Jillian or Sophie were able to track back and make the tackle or Rebecca in goals pulled off great 1v1 saves!

With alot of pressure put on the Academy the breakthrough finally came when Kirsten refused to give up on a ball at the edge of the box and managed to play it through to Colette who calmly placed it by he Academy goalkeeper. 2-1.

The game began a bit stretched as the Reds pushed for an equaliser and the Academy broke through 2v1 - then a dodgy offisde call was made as the Academy girl was played the ball whilst clearly being offside and she finished well. 3-1.

But again the Reds got their heads up and pushed forward for the last few minutes trying to get another goal back. They did just that when Jade had a shot rebound into the box and Kirsten played it over the Academy defence to Alice who put it away in the far corner. (she was clearly offisde as well so things had evened out!) 3-2.

The ball was only just recentred and taken when the referee blew for full time.

This was a great warm-up game for both sides who will face each other in the league again this year. The Academy team are a very composed passing team and their No. 12 was outstanding but the Reds showed great character and spirit in trying to come back twice and if they can keep working on their common mistakes will have a great season.

Well done!

Goals: Colette Tweedie & Alice Porter

Players of the Match : Sophie Loch & Alice Porter

Match Report 2

Falkirk Reds visited Falkirk Academy for Friendly at Grangemouth today K.o. 11.30am.

Match kicked off with the Reds doing most of the attacking but just could not get that all important finishing touch. Academy were defending well and attacked via the high ball up the field, their forwards controlled the ball on the ground slightly better sending long balls and chasing at the Reds defence. Midway through first half Academy scored. When Reds defence didn't clear their lines Academy player took the ball well scored. Good goal

(before Academy scored Reds could easily have been 3-0 up but just could not get that final touch.

Just before half time Academy scored almost carbon copy of their first goal.

H-T 2-0

Second half lot better display from Reds got a grip of the game taking the play to Academy. Played some good football and more positive in defence and midfield passing better and good running from forwards.

Midway through half Reds got the goal they deserved good pass from Kirsten straight to the on running Colette. Well taken goal by Colette. 2-1

Academy were attacking Reds goal when the winger passed to their centre who was all of 5 yards offside and for some reason the ref allowed the goal to stand! 3-1

All credit to the Reds they just got on with their task and it payed off with a well taken ball from Alice. Good goal( suspicion of offside?) 3-2

All in all a good game for the girls. (super second half perfomance)

F-T 3-2

(with a proper ref the scoreline would have been in your favour but that's football)

A bit more belief in themselves the girls will get the results they deserve

they work hard for each other and most important are enjoying their football.

Alison and Annmarie must be happy with the work rate from the girls

Good luck in the coming season

Grandad Roy

Click here to return to the The Bairns' News page