Falkirk travelled to Meadowbank on Sunday to take on Edinburgh Caledonia.
The first half saw Edinburgh Caledonia gain the advantage on Falkirk, as two goals from Eva Steele in the 21st and 26th minute allowed the Edinburgh team to take control of the first half. Falkirk made several advances throughout the duration of the first half but weren’t able to pull a goal back.
Falkirk put in a much better showing in the second half and wasted no time in their search for comeback sparking goal. Within five minutes of the restart Vicky Wood forced the Edinburgh Caledonia goalkeeper into making a terrific save before Iona Bridges found herself with a chance, but her goal-bound headed effort was blocked.
Despite Falkirk doing all they could to claw their way back into the game, Edinburgh Caledonia didn’t sit back to try and protect their lead, instead committing themselves to extending their lead. Falkirk goalkeeper Rachel Pirie had other ideas though, making three incredible saves in a row.
With 15 minutes left to play, Falkirk finally broke down the Edinburgh Caledonia door that they had been pounding on for 30 minutes. Mhari Smith managed to play the ball through to Suzanne Wyatt, who found the back of the net with ease and halving the deficit.
Falkirk left it late to get the equaliser as Smith again found herself in a goal-scoring position in the final minute of the game. She chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net to score her first goal for Falkirk. Falkirk were desperate to get another and take home all three points but there was no time left and the referee called things to a halt with the spoils shared.
Thanks to Smith’s late equaliser, Falkirk remain four points clear in second. This Sunday Falkirk face league champions FC Edinburgh at The Falkirk Stadium in the penultimate game of the season.
LINE-UP: Rachel Pirie, Lauren Shaw, Teri-Louise Deegan (sub Carolann Cullen), Vicky Wood, Lauren Simmons (sub Megan Black), Eva Rule, Suzanne Wyatt, Iona Bridges, Bryony Ross, Mhari Smith, Aimee Lenathen (sub Amy Rafferty)
UNUSED SUBS: Sarah Louise Waugh, Avril Johnstone, Ellie Murray, Kirsty Gilbert.
By Lois Smillie