Falkirk travelled to Aberdeen on Sunday to take on Grampian Ladies in League One.
Falkirk started the game strongly, having the bulk of possession during the opening five minutes. It was in the fifth minute that Grampian had their first chance of the game, the first of many free-kicks that would be awarded over the course of the match. Falkirk reacted quickly though and managed to intercept the set-piece, putting a stop to any danger.
Falkirk’s first chance also came within the first ten minutes as Kirsty Gilbert found herself with a shooting opportunity but her shot was saved by the Grampian goalkeeper.
Another clear cut chance went begging for Falkirk shortly after the first. The ball made its way to Ellie Roberts who took her first shot of the game. The shot looked to be on target, however the ball narrowly missed the target, flying past the post.
Grampian began to pile on the pressure, earning a number or corner kicks. One of which managed to find a Grampian player who took a shot, but Falkirk goalkeeper Rachel Pirie managed to parry the ball away. Pirie showed how commanding she is in the box, coming out to pluck the ball from the air from the resultant corner kick.
In the 24th minute of the match, Falkirk broke the deadlock. Carolanne Cullen found the ball and played it through to Suzanne Wyatt, who took the ball round the goalkeeper and struck it into the net, scoring her 19th goal of the season.
Falkirk earned themselves a corner soon after the goal. The ball was delivered perfectly into the box towards a waiting Lauren Shaw. The Grampian goalkeeper went for the ball and missed it, pulling down Lauren Shaw by her ponytail instead. Incredibly, a Grampian goal kick was awarded instead of a penalty to Falkirk.
Grampian then went on to grab the equaliser. Going on the attack again, they managed to work the ball just outside the box where a Grampian player tried her luck with a powerful effort that flew past the outstretched Rachel Pirie and into the net.
Falkirk were very quick to get back on the attack and the lead was almost restored when Kirsty Gilbert struck an excellent shot towards the left hand side of the goal. The shot struck the ‘keeper and looked like it was going in. Unfortunately, the ball hit the inside of the post and was cleared before it could cross the line.
While the second half remained goalless, Falkirk had to dig deep to hang onto the point they earned. Rhianne Ferguson was able to show off her defensive capabilities as she thwarted multiple attempts at goal from the Grampian side. Grampian did come close at the beginning of the second half, however, the effort went over the bar.
After an injury to Teri-Louise Deegan, Megan Black came on to fill in at right back, moving Rhianne Ferguson into the midfield. This gave Ferguson the chance to display her ability to break up opposition play and to pick passes from deep.
A few more substitutions for Falkirk saw Ferguson make way for Lauren Simmons, and Wyatt for Avril Johnstone. A few more chances for Falkirk saw both Iona Bridges and Ellie Roberts striving for a chance at a goal, but unfortunately none of them were able to get on the score sheet.
There was a small disagreement on the pitch after Avril Johnstone was held back by a Grampian player. The ensuing argument resulted in a booking for both players and free-kick to Grampian. Nothing came of the set-piece though and the referee brought proceedings to an end.
With a league break for the women this Sunday, the next league fixture will be on Sunday 19th February against promotion rivals Westdyke Ladies at home.
LINE-UP: Rachel Pirie, Rhianne Ferguson (sub Lauren Simmons), Lauren Shaw, Aimee Lenathen, Amy Rafferty, Carolanne Cullen, Iona Bridges, Teri-Louise Deegan (sub Megan Black), Kirsty Gilbert, Suzanne Wyatt (sub Avril Johnstone), Ellie Roberts.
UNUSED SUBS: Charlotte Holden
