SWFA 1^ST DIVISION

Sunday 1^st March 2009

2pm KO @ Dunipace.

Falkirk Ladies V Celtic Ladies B

“7 Goal Thriller”

The glorious Falkirk Ladies went into today’s match against Celtic B on the back off a few fine league wins and scoring plenty of goals in the bargain.  The coaching team were well aware that it was vital for the ladies to pick up all 3 points in this encounter and they were certainly not to be disappointed……Just.

Starting up in 4-5-1 formation the match kicked off…………….

The pitch was very heavy as a combination of a junior game being played 24 hours before and torrential rain over night made under foot conditions slippery for the players.

The match started brightly with Celtic making the early running and keeper Natalie Williamson had to look lively to get down to a snap shot on the edge of the box after 2 mins.  Ashley McDonald, who was a constant threat to the Celtic backline all day, made a strong run down the left but took a little long on the ball and her resulting shot didn’t cause too much trouble to the visiting keeper.

The match was turning into a midfield battle with both sets of players competing strongly for possession of the ball.  Falkirk were certainly coping with the conditions better as the visitors are used to playing and training every week on a synthetic surface.

On 19 minutes Celtic were awarded a free kick on the Falkirk left and as the ball was played into the penalty area the central defence was posted missing and this allowed a Celtic striker to glance a header wide of the diving Williamson and into the back of the net (0-1)

It was looking like a same old story for the Falkirk side as they had enjoyed territorial advantage up till that point.  The play continued to flow from end to end with no quarter asked or given as both sets of players were flying into challenges left, right and centre.

A ball played into the Celtic penalty area on 42 mins was cleared only as far as the edge of the box and Lisa Sutherland struck a sweet right foot shot past the visiting keeper and into the back of the net to draw the side’s level and very much deserved (1-1).  It looked like the match would be tied at the break however some shocking defending presented itself again just before the break when a ball was played into the penalty area, 44min, and a poor header presented the Celtic striker with a easy chance to re4gain the lead which she took (1-2).  Real comic defending!!!!!

Half-time: Falkirk Ladies (1) V (2) Celtic Ladies B

A rather animated home dressing at the break saw the Falkirk Ladies knowing clearly what was expected in the 2^nd half as they had certainly enjoyed the bulk off the play in the first 45 minutes.

The second half exploded into life within the first 120 seconds as Falkirk were awarded a penalty kick, despite the ball ending up in the back of the net, 47min.

Pint size striker, Kerry Graham dually dispatched the spot kick past keeper Andrews in the Celtic goal and it was game ON !!! (2-2)

Falkirk continued to press the Celtic goal and clearly looked like a side that were desperate for the 3 points.  And it was Falkirk who deservedly took the lead in the match for the first time through Jennifer Godfrey.  Jenny found herself with time and space in the Celtic penalty area before she lashed a fine shot past Keeper Andrews and into the back of the net, much to the delight of the home dug-out and watching supporters (3-2).

Celtic were rattled and this was clearly getting to their coaching team who then delivered a foul mouthed rant to his players demanding more.  Could they find more, well yes as they forced the tie level again with 5 minutes left.

What should have been an easy take for Keeper Williamson proved too hot to handle on 85 minutes and she fumbled the ball rather than holding it and presented a simple chance to Nicky Black who made no mistake from 4 yards out (3-3).

The frustration was clear to see as victory was so close for the home side.  Were they to be undone, you bet not as Ashley McDonald forced her way down the Falkirk left in the final minute, 89min, and her fine cross was met by the on rushing Kirky Lyons who slotted home from close range to seal a fine and well deserved victory for the Falkirk Ladies (4-3).

Half-time: Falkirk Ladies (4) V (3) Celtic Ladies B

What a match, what a 90 minutes of football from both sets of players.  Had the result ended a draw it would have felt like a defeat for the coaching team as the home side had totally dominated the match from start to finish?  Apart from some defensive frailties which allowed Celtic into the game, Falkirk were by far the better side and deserved the 3 points.

Performances of note  - ALL 11 PLAYERS ON THE FIELD.

Next up…………away to Inverness Ladies.