M3s vs CALA 2

An overcast Falkirk High played host to a clash between the two current unbeaten sides in East Division 3, as FALHC M3’s took on Edinburgh Hockey Club M2’s. The tension was palpable in the air as the two sides prepared for their biggest game of the season so far.

FAL started the game, and immediately took control of possession, looking the more threatening team, however unable to capitalise on a few breaks

After 5 minutes, however, Charlie MacLeod stripped possession from an EHC Defender, following the breakdown of a 16 hit out, slipping the ball square to Ross Mayberry, who in turn, played one more square pass, putting Adam Gardner through on goal, who after a heavy touch, managed to stretch on the reverse stick, to cutely slip the ball past the onrushing EHC Goalkeeper. 1-0 Falkirk.

The game quickly settled into a back and forth affair, with some excellent defending from FAL, rarely feeling troubled as they repelled each wave of EHC’s attack, conversely as FAL made chances of their own, but both sides struggled to threaten each other’s keeper. Until Ross Mayberry, with superlative vision and accuracy threaded a pass ¾ the length of the pitch, to Charlie MacLeod who, having just entered the pitch as a substitute, seemed to have went unnoticed by the EHC Defence, and like his very similar goal against Watsonians, there was never any doubt in the ability to finish, and FAL found themselves 2-0 up

Once the second goal crossed the line, FAL seemed even hungrier for more, the pressure built, and again, Charlie MacLeod took advantage of a lack of urgency from EHC’s defence, and once more stripped possession, and needed no assistance, forgoing a pass to hammer the shot home with authority. FAL 3-0

Finding themselves in cruise control, FAL continued to control the game, creating many chances; unfortunately, many of the chances created were spurned. Adam Gardner with the worst example, fancying himself a showboat, and missing an attempted through the leg shot from extremely close range, doing no justice to the lovely through ball from Scott Ferguson.

As the half drew to a close, the pressure continued, and once more the EHC dam broke, a long-range pass from Dave Wright finding Adam Cybulski on the edge of the EHC circle, and with some clever stick work, and the confidence to match, found himself scoring from the very edge of the circle, outmuscling the EHC defender attempting to block.

Half Time FAL 4 – 0 EHC

The second half took a more aggressive turn, with both teams receiving verbal warnings for dissent and chat back to the umpires.

EHC fund themselves taking more control of the game, and beginning to pile pressure on to the FAL defence, who done a very admirable job, defending their clean sheet with everything they had. Ian Webster in goals making some vital blocks.

FAL’s boat began to rock, as EHC managed to convert a scrappy Penalty Corner, this was, however, ruled out for obstruction of the outcoming defenders by EHC. This only encouraged EHC however, and they were unrelenting, finally winning another penalty corner, which they managed to convert in a very similar fashion to the previously ruled out goal. Luck was not on the side of FAL this time however, and EHC found themselves a foothold back in the game.

This increased pressure, however, seen the aggression take its toll, and both sides were reduced to 10 men at the same time, EHC seeing green for repeated elbowing in the back, and FAL’s David Jewell being sent off for a bad tackle, breaking down a promising attack.

As the game continued, FAL dug deeper and found their urgency once more, Adam Gardner robbing an EHC defender who, once again, decided to dilly-dally in his own circle. Reaching over the defenders stick, and with a neat reverse spin split open the defence, leaving him with the whole goal to aim at. He emphatically finished low across the keeper, to take the score to 5-1

This only served to fill FAL’s sails, and utterly deflate EHC. The pace increased, and with a move of pure liquid hockey, FAL made it 6. The ball out from Defence from Alistair Gauld found Adam Cybulski, who with one touch found Charles MacLeod on the wing, and after a touch to set himself up, rocketed a pass low into the danger area, where Adam Gardner was arriving, to finish the move off with aplomb, grabbing his Hattrick as he did so.

The rest of the game followed in much the same fashion, with FAL knocking on the door constantly. Seeing two goals chopped off by the umpire, who blew the whistle too eagerly, it was not enough to break FAL’s spirit. Two penalty corner routines in a row edging ever closer to scoring, however Scott Ferguson and David Jewell found themselves desperately unlucky not to add even more to the scoreline. However after one more of many following Penalty Corners, a good save from Adam Gardner’s drag flick towards the bottom corner drew a clearance straight to Charlie MacLeod at the top of the circle, who finished high into the roof of the net, to claim the second Hattrick of the game.

As the game drew to a close however, Mr. Macleod followed his Hattrick up with a Green card, being asked to leave the pitch for some over enthusiastic questioning of the umpire, it was not enough to put a blight on the day.

Falkirk and Linlithgow took their opportunity to go top of the league with enthusiasm, and put some clear daylight in terms of goal difference between themselves and the newly second placed Edinburgh Hockey Club. Smiles all round, as everyone on the team can be exceedingly pleased with their performance.