Match Report

Thursday, 30th October, 2008

by Julian Peck

McCann blasts Bairns into cup semi-final

THE fireworks in the distant skyline were quite spectacular. The match being played out down below was a bit of a damp squib.

With a place in the semi-final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup up for stakes, this tie failed to light up Westfield as much as the run in to Guy Fawkes Night.

However, Neil McCann still blasted the Bairns into the final four of the competition for the second time in three seasons.

And the circumstances under which the former Scottish internationalist did it after 36 minutes doesn't really matter anymore.

Inverness Caley's defence stood still as Jackie McNamara chipped forward to Michael Higdon, expecting the offside flag to be raised against either him or the onrushing McCann.

Instead it stayed down and, when the big striker's shot crashed off the woodwork, his wing man was on hand to head the ball firmly into the net.

A contentious penalty claim after the break, despite Gerard Aafjes appearing to fairly nick the ball off Adam Rooney, was Caley boss Craig Brewster's other cause for bitter complaint come full-time – claiming referee David Somers had even APOLOGISED to him later for not giving it.

For Falkirk manager John Hughes, however, they were two of the more pleasing aspects. "We were fortunate with the goal and, although I thought Gerard got a toe on the ball at the penalty incident, it's about time that a bit of luck came our way," he said.

"It's been a hard season and we've been walking away from games bemused at why we haven't taken anything out of them. That's football, but things appear to be starting to turn in our favour."

He went on: "I felt we played well in the first half and we stood up to Caley in the second, similar to what we did in last Saturday's match. We kept a clean sheet and could have scored more too."

"I have still seen better performances but it was always about getting into the semi-final and, once again, we came up trumps."

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Maybe those who decided against braving the bitterly cold evening at The Falkirk Stadium on Tuesday had made the right decision.

But it's still a pity that more supporters didn't take advantage of the huge cut in admission prices to witness their team getting within just 90 minutes of a major cup final.

Important victories such as this one and, indeed, in the previous round against Queen of the South, have paved the way for the fans to enjoy a big occasion in January.

The 2814 that did turn up almost saw Falkirk get off to a flyer when McCann picked out Graham Barrett with a sublime crossfield pass.

Ryan Esson blocked his effort but, as the ball trickled towards goal, Grant Munro had to leap to his keeper's aid to clear the danger off the goal-line.

Dougie Imrie then caught the Bairns defence off guard but Don Cowie's first touch, in an attempt to round Scott Flinders, was too strong and he shot into the side-netting.

Chances were being created by both sides in what was turning out to be an open cup tie.

Yet it was Scott Flinders who continued his good form by first pushing Adam Rooney's header away after he connected with a wicked 35-yard in-swinger from Munro.

Then the on-loan Crystal Palace minder denied Jamie Duff through a wonderful finger-tip save.

However, after taking their controversial lead, the Bairns never really looked like conceding it as the game, which started so brightly, faded into monotony after the break.

Following Rooney's penalty claim, the visitors' play appeared to lack any real drive in order to draw level and make it into their first-ever League Cup semi-final.

In fact, Falkirk really should have doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Darren Barr connected with McCann's cross but the ball crashed off the right post.

Caley did go on to enjoy plenty of possession yet, with no cutting edge as shots were wayward or from distance, the Bairns' defence – marshalled by the excellent Barr and Aafjes – held firm.

And Falkirk deserve a lot of praise for making into yet another League Cup semi under the stewardship of Hughes – only the fifth in the club's history. Let's just hope the supporters turn out for it in their numbers.