Match Report

Sunday, 27th February, 2011

Falkirk 2 Cowdenbeath 0

Falkirk picked up another vital three points in a somewhat low-key encounter at the Falkirk Stadium on a day when any slip-up could have been crucial. They totally dominated the match and it was only their own errors which threatened to provide the visitors with rare chances of scoring.

It was a lovely afternoon for a football match but the harsh realities of the finances of the First Division were illustrated by the away attendance – a mere 83. The Blue Brazil were in a yellow and green kit while Falkirk wore their traditional home colours. Tam McManus was on the bench and Ross Perry and Brian McLean were the central defensive pairing. Cowdenbeath’s side included the veteran Scottish Internationalists Stevie Crawford and Colin Cameron as well as ex-Bairn Mark Ramsay.

Falkirk came out with all guns blazing and pinned Jimmy Nichol’s side back for long periods. The buildup play was impressive and the Cowdenbeath goal led a charmed life at times. Pedro Moutinho, Carl Finnigan and Ryan Flynn had chances to open the scoring as a desperate Cowdenbeath defended in depth.

Steven Pressley’s side showed great patience and they eventually took the lead in the 20th minute when Stewart Murdoch fired into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his first Falkirk goal at first team level.

The visitors had allegedly been practicing defensive tactics in special training and they resisted well. They proved difficult to break down and the levels of frustration rose in the stands, if not on the park. Despite all their domination, Falkirk couldn’t find their way past a resolute away defence and Jimmy Nicholl’s side hadn’t buckled as many had thought they would.

HALF TIME: FALKIRK 1 COWDENBEATH 0

The second period followed a similar pattern with Falkirk playing well within themselves but finding it hard to break through. A second goal was essential and it arrived ten minutes into the second half after a great build up down the right. Higginbotham started the build up and when the ball came across Ryan Flynn thumped home a great volley low into the net from just inside the box.With so many fixtures ahead, manager Pressley immediately took off Flynn and Moutinho and replaced them with Jack Compton and top scorer Mark Stewart.

The pitch was noticeably heavier than earlier in the season and it seemed to inhibit the normally flowing passing game favoured by the Falkirk manager. There were few chances for the visitors, but there was one bizarre incident when keeper Robert Olejnik went to throw the ball out, but it spun out of his arm and landed behind him. Luckily there was no opposition player behind him and he picked the ball up again. Jimmy Nicholl was furious and claimed that this had been illegal and a free kick should have been awarded. His pleas fell on deaf ears and played continued.

There were further chances for both Kieran Duffie and Carl Finnigan but they came to nothing. One long range effort from the young wing-back could have been Goal of the Season if it had been a foot lower instead of nestling on the roof of the net.

Tam McManus, who had been asking to come on finally made an entrance after 81 minutes to replace Carl Finnigan and received a great reception.

Falkirk played out the remaining minutes still well on top and the only chances which came Cowdenbeath’s way were as a result of Falkirk errors. There was one brief moment of panic when the ball bobbled about in the six yard box and seemed to ricochet off Duffie and McLean before reaching Olejnik. Referee Nicholls looked to be heading for a quiet week-end report wise and there had been no reason to show cards until some 30 seconds before time up. Brian McLean ventured up the field in a rare attacking moment and was progressing down the left wing before being taken out by substitute Miller. The youngster was booked and that was almost the last act of an afternoon where all the top three sides won. Falkirk are still in there- and have it in their own hands to claw back the deficit.

It’s on to Greenock on Tuesday night and manager Pressley knows that a good performance is needed. He has seen them in action and he knows that they will be difficult to beat.

FALKIRK: Olejnik, Duffie, Perry, McLean, Scobbie, Murdoch, O'Brien, Higginbotham, Flynn (s.57Compton), Finnigan (s. 81 McManus), Moutinho (s.57 Stewart). Subs: Barclay, Twaddle.

COWDENBEATH: Hay, Baxter, Armstrong, Mbu, Adamson (Linton 23), Ramsay, Makel, Cameron, Campbell, Coult (s.70Miller), Crawford (s. 73Stewart). Subs: Roy, Winter.

ATTENDANCE: 3,581

REFEREE: Steven Nicholls