Falkirk travelled to Yoker on Sunday to play BSC Glasgow in the Championship and League One Cup.
The first chance fell to Iona Bridges after seven mins when she headed a corner over the bar. Bridges then had a shot saved and winger Claudia Stewart hit an effort that went just wide of the post. It was all Falkirk and the next chance came when Robyn O’Neill lofted the ball into the box and an unmarked Eva Rule headed over.
It took BSC 20 minutes to create their first chance, which came from a freekick and resulted in a shot which was deflected out for a corner. Falkirk responded soon after with a move created by a quick passing move that gave O’Neill a shooting chance on the edge of the box. Her shot crashed off the woodwork and out to safety while the relieved goalkeeper stood rooted to the spot. Bridges then headed over from a corner again before finding her range with a minute left to play of the first half. She picked up a loose ball in midfield, stepped away from her marker and hit a shot from outside the box, giving the keeper no chance. Falkirk finally had the lead they merited.
Coach Craig Tully stressed the need to be more clinical in his half-time team-talk, pointing out that the girls had attempted 14 shots at goal yet only scored once.
The second half began as the first ended, with Falkirk in full control and creating chances at will. Kirsty Gilbert had a shot deflected wide for a corner and O’ Neill had a shot saved by the keeper. The keeper followed this up with another save from Gilbert before being beaten for a second time just before the hour mark.
Defender Alexandra Strike put in a cross which a BSC defender failed to clear properly. The ball fell to Stewart who left her marker for dead and lifted a shot over the diving keeper to extend Falkirk’s lead.
Three minutes later Falkirk scored their third and final goal. Strike was again the provider, crossing from the left, and Stewart again the finisher. She was given assistance by the BSC keeper though as she fumbled the ball and dropped it straight at the feet of Stewart, who simply rolled it into the empty net. The goal topped off an impressive performance by Stewart who tormented the BSC defence all game with her pace and quick footwork on the ball. The BSC keeper was beaten again ten minutes later but the woodwork came to her rescue for a second time as a shot from captain Lauren Shaw cannoned off the bar.
Falkirk then brought on their subs and saw the game out comfortably. Goalkeeper Rachel Pirie had almost nothing to do during the match apart from one shot in the first half and a few passbacks to be cleared.
Falkirk could have had a fourth when Gilbert drove into the box and was clattered by the centre half after knocking the ball past her, prompting the referee to blow for a penalty. Unfortunately the kick was placed wide of the post.
Harder games lie ahead, particularly in the next fortnight when promotion rivals Stenhousemuir and St Mirren both come to visit on consecutive weekends. Kick off against Stenhousemuir will be 2pm on the community pitch and entry is free if anyone wishes to come along and support the girls.
Line-up: Rachel Pirie, Daisie Donegan, Lauren Shaw, Alexandra Strike, Robyn O’ Neill, Vicky Wood (sub Erin Sludden), Kirsty McLeod, Iona Bridges, Eva Rule (sub Carolanne Cullen), Kirsty Gilbert, Claudia Stewart (sub Taylor Johnston)
