Match Report

Saturday, 25th October, 2008

ARFIELD SPOT ON IN DOWNPOUR

Bairns boss John Hughes kept the changes to a minimum despite last week’s defeat at the hands of Aberdeen. Gerard Aafjes was recalled to central defence for the suspended Lee Bullen and Graeme Barrett grabbed a starting berth in place of Michael Higdon. Arnau Riera and Russell Latapy made the bench.

The conditions were horrendous with a strong wind and torrential rain lashing down on the players. It didn’t seem to affect Falkirk, for they made a whirlwind start in the first thirty seconds. Kevin McBride pushed forward from midfield and his precision pass allowed Barrett to get in behind the Killie defence and square for Steve Lovell to prod home. The only problem was the Assistant’s raised flag for what must have been a hairline decision, prompting John Hughes to diplomatically announce on the radio that, “.. he would have to see that one again on TV…” The 446 loyal Bairns fans who made the journey were hoping that it wasn’t yet another controversial decision which would go against them this season.

Neil McCann was prominent in the early exchanges and he had two wind-assisted crosses which gave Alan Combe problems. It was almost third time lucky minutes later when the big goalkeeper was forced to scoop out McCann’s inswinging corner as Falkirk threatened.Yet it was Killie who almost snatched the lead against the run of play in 13 minutes when Conor Sammon found himself completely unmarked in front of goal but only succeeded in powering a header from Invincibile’s cross straight at Scott Flinders who needed two attempts to hold the effort.

The home side were beginning to find their feet after a sloppy start and the tricky Taouil set up a chance for Pascali, but the Italian’s shot was far too deliberate and it curled high and wide of the target.Falkirk made the perfect reply in the 28th minute. Another McCann corner saw Combe punch clear only for McNamara’s return header to fall perfectly for the lurking STEVE LOVELL, who turned and shot past the exposed ‘keeper from six yards. It was a fully deserved lead as the Bairns had gone about their business in a determined fashion from the kick-off.

The jinx of immediate replies from opponents who had gone behind almost surfaced as Killie raced upfield from the restart but the merest touch from the leaping Aafjes as he met Pascali’s cross was enough to take the ball away from the head of the inrushing Sammon who would surely have netted.

On the half-hour mark, a stunning 20-yard strike from Hamill was deflected inches wide but to the anger of the home support both Mike McCurry and his assistant ruled in favour of a goal-kick. Killie began to press again and this time the Referee upset the visiting fans with a rather harsh yellow card for Darren Barr after Fernandez went tumbling.

Fernandez was in the thick of the action again seconds before the break with a flashing header from 12 yards which Flinders did well to push over the crossbar.

Half-time : KILMARNOCK 0 FALKIRK 1

The expected onslaught from the home side with the wind now in their favour wasn’t long in coming, Craig Bryson meeting a Fernandez cross at the back post but Flinders produced a world class save to deflect the header on to the post and away to safety.

Lovell accidentally stuck his boot in the face of Wright who was laid out at the side of the pitch for several minutes as Falkirk tried to force their way back up the pitch. Then a succession of free-kicks into the Bairns box had Barr & Co. working overtime as the ball drifted to and fro in the howling wind.

Falkirk responded with a super Arfield 25-yard free-kick which had the beating of Combe but whistled an inch wide of the upright. The game was really opening up now and the Killie fans were up in arms when Aafjes jostled Bryson off the ball as he powered toward goal but Mike McCurry felt it was only worth a word in the Dutchman’s ear. Kevin McBride downed Taouil seconds later and by this time, the home fans were out of their seats in anger, but Mr McCurry remained unimpressed and McBride received no more than a stern talking to.

Falkirk’s timing for the second goal was perfection as they caught Killie with a real counter punch in 65 minutes. Barrett was the provider with a great run into the Killie box and he was just too quick to the ball for Hamill who collided with the Irishman to concede a softish spot-kick. SCOTT ARFIELD made no mistake, driving the kick powerfully behind Alan Combe who was then yellow carded for his continued protests to the official.

Killie were seething and Fernandez took a rush of blood to the head, deservedly yellow-carded for a late challenge on Aafjes as the Falkirk defender cleared a ball back to his goalkeeper. A degree of bad feeling had crept into the match and as Lovell and Hamill tangled on the touchline, the Bairns striker lashed out in frustration with his foot as he was brought down. There was only ever going to be one outcome and Lovell made the long walk back up the tunnel following his red card. Pascali needlessly got himself involved and was yellow carded as players from both sides squared up with Frazer Wright continuing to bait his opponents as the dust settled.

Arfield was having a great half, retaining possession from at least four Killie players as they fought desperately to win the ball from him. A spectacular overhead kick from Sammon was too close for comfort as 10-man Falkirk manned the barricades before Killie snatched a goal back with stopwatch showing 92 minutes. Gibson’s nearpost cross saw DONOVAN SIMMONDS glance a header wide of the diving Flinders.

But this time, it was Falkirk’s day….

Full-time : KILMARNOCK 1 FALKIRK 2