Ninety minutes of passion...one in a while a match
produces everything, Falkirk's latest league outing was such a game.
With news of Audrey McGrory's car accident and a
multiple leg break, the team took the field without a class act.
It was the Bairns who took the game to second place
Hutchie and within less than 5 minutes Marshall defly lifted the ball over
the advancing keeper after an excellent pass from Thomson from midfield, to open
the scoring.
Falkirk dominated the early play without creating any
clear cut chances. It was Falkirk's inability to clear their lines into a stiff
breeze which allowed Hutchie to threaten. A corner led to the equilizer, an
attempted overhead kick hit Kane on the hand and the referee harshly awarded a
penalty, although Melville saved well the rebound hit the net.
Falkirk were unsettled, and as a ball over the top
beat the offside trap, Kane pulled the striker back at the edge of the box,
resulting in a red card for the captain.
The game turned to a midfield battle for the
remaining 15 minutes before half time.
Into the 2nd half, Falkirk regrouped leaving three at
the back and pushed forward and attacking with width, runs from McDonald, Casey
and Marshall were creating chances for the mobile Graham up front, and two
superb strikes within ten mins of the start, gave the Bairns a dream start,
Graham hitting both leaving the keeper no chance with either.
As the second half progressed Falkirk tired and
Hutchie enjoyed their best period, but strong defending by Reid, Milne
and marshalled well by Harris kept chances to a minimum, Melville in goal
held and cleared everything that came her way, but a superb ball from wide
brought Hutchie back into the game with their second.
Ten minutes later Hutchie equalised and at 3-3 the
game was very much open. The ever busy and battling midfielder Kelly had her
hand broken when a Hutchie player stood on her hand and Martin came on with 15
minutes, linking with Thomson in front of defense, the last ten minutes belonged
to Falkirk as the ladies went out for the winner.
Erratic goalkeeping and defending from Hutchie gave
the Bairns chances, one was turned into a goal with excellent wing play from
McDonald and Marshall allowed McDonald to hit the bye line and send in a superb
cross to Casey, who rose to head home from 6 yds.
Hutchie pushed for the leveller and frustration led
to a late sending off for Hutchie, deep into stoppage time Martin showed a full
box of tricks to kill the clock, as the whistle blew for full time both sets of
girls were greeted with applause from the crowd, it was a game which had it all,
one which comes along once in a while.
Falkirk stay in fourth position, with Lochee Utd
visiting Dunipace Jrns next week, the girls hope to continue their winning
streak and their push for promotion.
The team wish Audrey a full recovery.
Falkirk Team: Melville, Reid, Milne, Harris, Kane,
Thomson, Fullerton (Martin), McDonald, Casey, Marshall,
Graham.
