Falkirk Women secured their first victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Livingston WFC at The Falkirk Stadium on Sunday.
Falkirk had a strong opening to the game, with some good chances being created in their attacking half.
The most notable of these came from Emma Lawson just three minutes after kick-off. The break of the ball found her in open space with a view on goal however her shot was sent wide.
After a short spell of defensive play, Lawson won the ball back in Livingston’s own half. The girls then came together in a stunning bit of play to keep possession and press up the pitch.
Following this, Anna Dickov played a ball through for Olivia Murphy to run onto. Murphy then picked out Emma Lawson in the box who tapped it into the net giving Falkirk the lead.
Murphy and Lawson teamed up once again to secure the second of the day.
Emma Lawson chipped the ball over Livingston’s keeper before being brought down in the box. The ball was rolling towards goal, but Olivia Murphy bagged the last touch to extend Falkirk’s lead 25 minutes in.
Down the other end of the pitch Charlotte Ferguson was called upon with a stretching save as a Livingston shot curled towards goal.
As half time approached Falkirk had more chances, none of which were successful and they went into the break with a two-goal advantage.
The first chance of the second half came when Falkirk was awarded a free kick, Gemma Mason sent the ball in, but it was comfortably saved by Alex Reid.
A free kick then went Livingston’s way; they opted to go for goal however it was sent straight into the hands of Ferguson.
Falkirk then defended well following a series of corners from the visitors, keeping the scoreline at 2-0 with half an hour left to play.
It was another link up between Murphy and Lawson after Ceri Thomas played a good ball forward, however Lawson couldn’t get the shot away. Gemma Mason then picked up the loose ball. She had a shot at goal, but it was high and over the bar.
With 10 minutes to go, Maisy Stewart had a great chance when she fired a shot towards the bottom corner, however Alex Reid loosely captured the low ball, preventing a third for Falkirk.
It was a red card for Livingston’s Eve Donald with ten minutes to go, as she was sent off following her second yellow of the afternoon.
The final whistle blew and it finished 2-0 to Falkirk, who secured their first win of the season and bagged the three points.
Next up, Falkirk head to Hamilton Academical on Sunday 6th of September, where the team will aim to continue their unbeaten run.
FALKIRK XI: Ferguson, Thomas, O Murphy, Lawson, Mason ©, Eadie, Dickov, Stewart, Hegarty, J Murphy, Armstrong.
SUBS: McCroary, Murray, Townsend, Neillie, Stoddart, Butz, Bryce, McArthur, Janowiec.
LIVINGSTON XI: Reid, Frew, Donald, McGurk, Cairney ©, Daly, Rogers, Strain, Canavan, Gill, Mason.
SUBS: Gibney, McCormick, Dodds, McGarvey, Brown.
Match Report by Connie Inglis
Cover Image by Michael Hulf
