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« on: April 19, 2005, 09:43:45 PM »
Hopefully he get a run in de first team now
FALKIRK RES. 3 MORTON RES. 0
An experienced Falkirk Reserve side took on their Morton counterparts at a sun soaked Little Kerse today.
The Bairns started off at a sluggish pace and it was the Greenock men who had the better of the early chances. A last ditch Paul MacAloney challenge prevented the visitors from opening the scoring after 10 minutes and a few minutes later a diving header flew over the bar much to the relief of Darren Hill. Falkirk began to come more into the match and after 20 minutes, the Morton goalkeeper had to be quick off his line to deny the on-rushing Colin Marshall, played through by John Henry. The home side began to find a rhythm and Phil Creaney was unlucky, his 20 yard effort flying just over the bar.
The deadlock was broken in 38 minutes as the Henry/Marshall combination proved effective again. Henry sent Colin Marshall on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and the youngster made no mistake this time, rounding the goalkeeper to coolly chip the ball into the back of the net.
Morton were quick to reply and probably deserved an equaliser, creating several chances and it took a point blank save from Darren Hill do deny the Cappielow side. The visitor’s winger had two excellent attempts to bring his side back into the game but his cute half volley from the edge of the box brought out another fantastic save from the impressive Hill. A few minutes later the same player then rounded Hill only to be denied by a goal-line clearance from Marc Twaddle. Falkirk could consider themselves very lucky to reach half-time with a slender lead.
A half-time team talk from coaches John O’Neil and Russell Latapy sparked the Reserve side into life from the restart. Morton were restricted to a few long range efforts that never really threatened the home goal and Falkirk began to show a desire to increase their lead, Phil Creaney gathering the ball in midfield and spraying a pass out wide to Brent Rahim. The Trinidadian used his pace to reach the bye-line and play in a dangerous cross which the outstretched Colin Marshall stabbed against the post. A sign of things to come.
Falkirk doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute. A through ball by Phil Creaney intended for John Henry saw an unfortunate slip from the Morton defender which allowed ‘Zippy’ to advance on the goalkeeper and coolly slot the ball into the bottom corner. Falkirk appeared comfortable and decided to freshen things up in the middle of the park with Andrew Dick replacing Phil Creaney after 66 minutes.
This game was by no means over and Morton battled hard to get back into the game forcing some very desperate Falkirk defending. The Bairns began to chase every ball to protect their lead and it was unfortunate to see Colin Marshall pull up with a hamstring injury. Marshall was a constant threat running in behind the Morton defence and he was replaced by Tam Scobbie in 68 minutes. Morton made substitutions of their own using their full allocation in a five minute spell as they attempted to get back into the game.
This game was to end as a contest in 76 minutes. Nicky Boyle released John Henry down the left and the midfielder played in an inch-perfect cross which was met by a fantastic diving header from Brent Rahim giving the Morton goalkeeper no chance.
The Falkirk bench were given another injury headache as young Scott Arfield pulled up with what appeared to be the second hamstring injury of the day. He was replaced by Ross Hayman with five minutes left on the clock
Morton’s heads were obviously down and some basic errors late on gifted chances to John Henry and Marc Twaddle but both failed to convert. On the whole, a good second half performance sealed the victory for Falkirk but Morton will be disappointed at failing to take their chances in the first half which would have made this game more of a contest.
Falkirk: Darren Hill, Scott Mauchline, Marc Twaddle, Brian Allison, Paul MacAloney, Philip Creaney (Andrew Dick 66), John Henry, Brent Rahim, Colin Marshall (Tam Scobbie 68), Nicky Boyle, Scott Arfield (Ross Hayman 85).
Subs Not Used- Craig Donaldson
CM
Picture : Colin Marshall clips home the first goal
**Courtesy of Gordon Whyte**
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