Falkirk travelled to Pittodrie on Sunday 31 August to face Aberdeen in their next Scottish Premiership match.With both teams eager to get their first win in the Premiership, it was an even start as Aberdeen found their first chance through Alexander Jensen whose attempt was held by Scott Bain.
It was an exceptional first half for the goalkeeper, who made many diving saves to deny the hosts in opening the scoring.
Falkirk had a few chances as well, with Calvin Miller taking a shot from the edge of the area which went over.
The best chance for Falkirk in the first half came from Brad Spencer. The captain took his chance following some excellent play from Falkirk to get the ball to him, and forced a diving save out of Dimitar Mitov.
Just before the end of the first half the hosts saw themselves down to ten men, as captain Nicky Devlin’s high challenge on Calvin Miller was changed from a yellow to a red card following a VAR check. The armband was passed onto Mats Knoester.
Also entering the referee’s book in the first half was Jack Milne, Leon McCann and Dons manager Jimmy Thelin.
Five minutes into the second half Dylan Tait took a chance that was saved by Mitov, resulting in a Falkirk corner. Miller’s corner found Liam Henderson, his header was held by the goalkeeper.
Things looked better for Falkirk who took advantage of Aberdeen’s missing man and constantly created chances. Unfortunately none were able to make it to the back of the net.
Some great chances came for Spencer, Ross MacIver and Keelan Adams but no attempts could make it over the line before the play returned to the hands of Aberdeen.
On 67 minutes it was a special moment for Swansea loanee Kyrell Wilson who made his Falkirk debut alongside Alfredo Agyeman. They replaced Calvin Miller and Scott Arfield.
Agyeman took a chance on 70 minutes that just missed the post, going wide from a tight angle. John McGlynn then found himself having to make another change as Bain was replaced by Nicky Hogarth.
The day then got even better from Kyrell Wilson, who with fifteen minutes to go scored on his debut and finally broke the deadlock between the two teams. The ball bounced off an Aberdeen defender and fell to Wilson, who took a powerful strike and sent it straight home!
Falkirk’s final changes were made with ten to go, MacIver and Henry Cartwright made way for Connor Allan and Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi, who also made his debut on Sunday afternoon.
Following five minutes of additional time, the final whistle blew and Falkirk emerged victorious at Pittodrie, securing their first win in the Premiership for 15 years.
The international break will come next week, meaning Falkirk wont return to action until the 13th of September, where we return to the Falkirk Stadium to host St Mirren in the next Scottish Premiership fixture.
FALKIRK XI: Scott Bain (sub Nicky Hogarth), Keelan Adams, Leon McCann, Liam Henderson, Brad Spencer (C), Ross MacIver (sub Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi), Lewis Neilson, Henry Cartwright (sub Connor Allan), Dylan Tait, Calvin Miller (sub Alfredo Agyeman), Scott Arfield (sub Kyrell Wilson).
BENCH: Brian Graham, Gary Oliver, Sean Mackie.
MANAGER: John McGlynn.
ABERDEEN XI: Dimitar Mitov, Alexander Jensen, Mats Knoester, Jack Milne, Nicky Devlin (C) (RED), Leighton Clarkson, Ante Palaversa, Dante Polvara, Nicolas Milanovic, Topi Keskinen, Kusini Yengi
BENCH: Nick Suman, Graeme Shinnie, Sivert Heltne Nilsen, Adil Aouchiche, Gavin Molloy, Alfie Dorrington, Kjartan Kjartansson, Kenan Bilalovic, Marko Lazetic.
MANAGER: Jimmy Thelin.
VENUE: Pittodrie
ATTENDANCE: 18380
REFEREE: Ross Hardie
