Falkirk edged to a 1-0 victory against KRC Genk at The Falkirk Stadium as part of the club’s 150th year celebrations.
It was a positive result for The Bairns against strong foreign opposition, and a great way to round off the summer’s pre-season games as we look towards the remaining games in the Premier Sports Cup and the beginning of the Scottish Premiership season.
A positive opening spell for The Bairns was rewarded with an early opener as a stunning team move saw Laidlaw receive the ball from Hogarth, before laying it off for Ninkovich, who angled a cross towards McCann at the back post, who slid it beyond the keeper from a tight angle to put Falkirk ahead with seven minutes played.
A fairly open period followed where, despite both teams enjoying a lot of time on the ball, there was a lack of clear-cut chances created.
Ross MacIver came close to doubling the lead for The Bairns midway through the first half as the striker rose to meet Ethan Ross’ cross, but his header dropped just wide.
The Belgian visitors heavily rotated their team around the half-hour mark, making nine changes to the side that started the game.
A long range effort from the visitors on the stroke of half-time saw Hogarth called into action for the first time as he dove to his left to meet the strike and ensure Falkirk took a deserved lead into the break.
The opening stages of the second half were end-to-end, with both sides enjoying a lot of the ball in the final third. Genk had their biggest chance up until that point just after the hour mark, as an effort from just inside the box struck the post before being cleared.
A handful of half chances came Falkirk’s way throughout the closing stages of the match, but it was Genk that came closest to scoring as they hit the woodwork on two more occasions.
The first came after some good play at the edge of the area led to a big opportunity inside the Bairns’ box, which crashed off the woodwork, and the second came moments later following a strike from the edge of the area which rattled the crossbar yet again.
The action came to an end shortly after, with Falkirk edging out a competitive KRC Genk side as part of our celebrations for the club’s 150th year.
Thank you to KRC Genk for joining us in celebrating such a huge milestone in the club’s history. Good luck for the upcoming season!
Falkirk Starting XI: Nicky Hogarth, Leon McCann (7’), Coll Donaldson ©, Brad Spencer, Ross MacIver, Ethan Laidlaw, Finn Yeats, Deniss Melniks, Ryan Strain, Ethan Ross, David Ninkovich.
Substitutes: Joe Hastings, Liam Henderson, Ben Parkinson, Craig Sibbald, Paul McGovern, Lewis Neilson, Scott Tanser, Connor Allan, Alfredo Agyeman.
KRC Genk Starting XI: Tobias Lawal, Jeppe Erenbjerg, Aaron Bibout, Nikolas Sattleberger, Ayumu Yokoyama, Daan Heymans ©, Josue Ndenge Kongolo, August De Wannemacker, Christian Akpan, Emmanuel Sarfo, Kenan Haroun.
Substitutes: Lucca Brughmans, Emile Doucoure, Kayden Pierre, Jarne Stuekers, Bryan Heynen, Brad Manguelle, Robin Mirisola, Noah Adedeji-Sternberg, Sami El Morabet, Wout Kapers, Jelle Driessen, Kiyan Achahbar, Djoully Nzoko, Tinus Moorthamer.
