NEXT STOP: QUEEN’S PARK (H)

The Navy Blue Train returns to The Falkirk Stadium this Saturday as we host Queen’s Park in the William Hill Championship

Kick-off is at 3pm, Saturday 11th January.This weekend we play our first game of 2025 as we take on Queen’s Park for the third time this season.

The Bairns haven’t played a league game since 27th December due to last Friday’s fixture against Airdrieonians being called off due to a frozen pitch, and will be looking to get back to winning ways after a wild 3-3 draw with Dunfermline last month.

The last time we welcomed Queen’s Park to The Falkirk Stadium was the first SPFL game of the season as we kicked off our campaign back in August. We came away with a win on the day in a close game that saw Calvin Miller and Sean Mackie goals either side of a Dom Thomas screamer.

The reverse fixture featured another narrow scoreline, but another win for The Bairns, with an Aidan Nesbitt goal being the difference at Hampden.

Since that game in Glasgow, we have suffered just one defeat and will be looking to maintain our four point lead at the top of the table by making it three without defeat.

Our last game finished a point apiece as we left East End Park disappointed, following a rollercoaster ride of the game that finished 3-3 two weeks ago. Falkirk struck first in the 24th minute through Callumn Morrison, who lashed the ball into the top corner in his first start since Falkirk’s two-nil win over Dunfermline back in August, sending the 2,900 away fans into raptures. The celebrations were short lived though, with the referee awarding Dunfermline a penalty just a minute after the opening goal. Chris Kane converted the penalty to even the scores.

Falkirk found themselves ahead again nine minutes into the second half. Ethan Ross was fouled 20-yards from goal and some quick thinking from Dylan Tait saw him find Aidan Nesbitt with a quick free-kick, and the midfielder made no mistake, firing his shot across goal to put his team in the lead once more. Again, though, the hosts found another equaliser, and once more, it was from the penalty spot. This time, Sean Mackie was judged to have handled the ball in the box, and Matthew Todd stepped up to score from 12-yards.

The visitors thought they had won it late on when they scored their third in the 85th minute. Liam Henderson tapped in from close range after a corner kick bounced about in the area, sparking pandemonium in the away end but, following the theme of the game, the home side managed to score a 92nd minute equaliser when Kyle Benedictus headed home a corner at the back post.

Our visitors this weekend had a December to forget, losing three consecutive games to see out 2024. The Spiders started 2025 strongly though, bouncing back from their poor run to cause an upset with a two-nil win against title contenders, Livingston.

A Jack Turner brace was enough to secure all three points last Saturday, with Livingston left to rue missed chances, including a penalty kick.

Queen’s Park currently occupy fifth place in the league standings, while Falkirk remain six points clear at the top.