M1s vs Perthshire Hockey Club Men's 1

The 1st league game of the season saw the M1s travelling to sunny Perth for what was expected to be a difficult and physical opening to the league campaign.

Falkirk & Linlithgow started brightly, quickly taking a 2-0 lead. The first was from a now familiar short corner routine, the Cochrane reverse hitting the ball to the back post for a deflection from Chris Lawson. The second came from open play, with Cammy Scott taking advantage of the keeper lying on the ground to deftly lift the ball over him into the goal.

It wasn't all going F&L^Is way however with Perth threatening in numbers and applying pressure on the defense at every opportunity, and they managed to pull a contentious goal back to reduce the deficit. After a number of shots and rebounds in and around the goal, and amongst some pushing and shoving, the ball fell to a Perth striker who slammed the ball home. After a lengthy discussion between officials the goal stood, despite the visitors complaints of players being pushed over. The first half came to a close with the home team overcommitting and stretching their players allowing F&L to mount more and more attacks as the half drew to an end at 1-2 to the visitors.

Perthshire came out of the traps quickly at the start of the 2nd half, trying to obtain parity in the match once more, however, the visiting defense stood strong and repelled the attacks, despite some dicey balls across the D. The third goal came when Euan Cochrane collected the ball on the break and drove at the Perthshire defence, running into the D. The Perth defender had no option but to tackle Cochrane and give the umpire no option but to award a deserved (despite Euans theatrical dive) Penalty Flick. The flick was slammed home expertly to the keepers right by Cammy Scott for his 2nd of the game, score 1 -3.

Perth continued to press with dangerous balls across the D and managed to pull another goal back through this method, despite lengthy protests regarding the ball hitting a players foot. Again the umpires took a 5 minute break to discuss the potential foul, only to award Perth the goal in the end.

With the arrrears reduced to 1 again, F&L again had to withstand some real pressure from the home team, however this also left Perth exposed at the back, resulting in Murray Paton 1 on 1 with the keeper, but he took the unselfish option of squaring to Matthew Craig who, after recoving the ball and composing himself, took a shot which was blocked by the Perth defenders body. 2nd PF awarded. Cammy Scott once again stepped up to despatch the penalty to the keepers left this time and restore the 2 goal cushion.

The rest of the game was played out with Perth appearing frustrated and trying in vain to pull another goal back, but despite F&L finishing the game with 10 men (David Moir yellow card for a somewhat wild stick challenge) there was never any danger in the closing moments.

Final score Perth 2 - 4 Falkirk & Linlithgow

MotM could have went to any number of players for their efforts on the pitch, on this occasion it was awarded to Andrew Leaker.

🏑🏑🏑 Cammy

🏑 Chris

🏆 Andrew