M3s vs ESM 3

Third game of the season saw the men's 3rd XI take on ESM 3rd XI.

Falkirk made a slow start doing exactly what we said not to do in the team talk and tried to play the ball through the front sticks of the opposition. This kept us under a lot of defensive pressure in the first quarter, Falkirk finally cracked under the pressure after failing to clear the ball from the top of our D. ESM stole the ball, smashed it across the goal where they got the slightest touch to guide it into the back post.

After the quarter time talk Falkirk started to grow back into the game and started to get our own passing game going. This led to us being able to work our way up the pitch and start creating some pressure of our own. ESM still dangerous on the break with the team loaded with talented and quick youngsters but the back line pairing of Arthur R and Scott B delt with the breaks early and got the ball back into the attack. Pressure finally told when we won a free hit just inside the opposition 25, Alastair G took the free hit quickly dribbling 5 yards before firing the ball into Charles M who had made a base line run. Charles picked the ball up, survived a strong challenge from the defender to turn and slot the ball past the keeper at his near post. Game remained 1-1 until half time.

After the half Falkirk continued with the passing game but began to tire a little and played some loose passes that brought pressure onto the back line. Falkirk survived this pressure but while doing so were given a green card, Alastair G receiving it for playing the ball away after foul was given. Whistle was blown as Alastair G played the ball, so everyone slightly dumbfounded as to why the card was shown. Falkirk withstood the two minutes of having 10 players without conceding. ESM did eventually take the lead again, after a counterattack. Ball broke from their 25 and they had 1 player breakaway high, captain Mitchell D managed to track back and catch up the attacker making what he thought was a clean tackle that saw the ball pushed away from the attacker and roll of the back. Only to hear the whistle as the ball crossed the back line and turn to see the umpire had given a flick against him for a "push" on the attacker. ESM scored the flick, with keeper Iain W unlucky as he dived the right way, but flick was just too good. This ended the 3rd quarter.

4th quarter Falkirk really started to dominate and won a penalty corner early on, with team listening to the captain and having Derek M top D for the flick. Master stroke as Derek M's flick was saved by the keeper but fell to Arthur R at the back post who lifted the ball high into the far corner to equalize. With the game tied at 2-2 Falkirk continued to push for the winner and were getting a lot of joy using a higher press. Next clear chance that came for Falkirk was Scott F getting the ball on the base line and driving into the D while being fouled. An early whistle to give Falkirk the penalty corner was not met with a great reception as Scott F managed to pull the back across the goal for David J to put the ball into the roof of the net.

Overall, a great performance from the 12-man Falkirk squad, against a 16-man ESM who had some really talented youngster.

PoTM Arthur R, winning goal just nicked this in front of Scott B.