Falkirk 15s v Academy 15s
The academy 15s made the trip to Stirling to take on Falkirk at Stirling University and it was Falkirk who were first to threaten when a well struck corner was met with a firm downward header at the back post but the Ayr defence did well to clear the ball off the line.
Falkirk then won a penalty after Ayr attempted a long cross field pass which was cut out by the Bairn’s midfielder. The Falkirk midfielder then slipped in his striker who was upended in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. The resultant spot kick was struck firmly but Louis Kerr sprung to his right to pull off a brilliant save. The Bairns continued to pressure Ayr and the right back forced another good save from Louis after a lung bursting run.
In the 25th minute Falkirk took the lead when an excellent cross from the right was headed home. Falkirk added to their lead 10 minutes later when Louis Kerr got a hand to a great strike but the Falkirk number 9 followed up to smash home the rebound. The big Falkirk number 5 then stretched the lead further just before the break finishing off the 2nd cross after Ayr had failed to clear a corner. The first half was all Falkirk and Ayr seemed strangely lethargic and just slightly off the pace of the big and powerful Falkirk side.
In the second half Ayr looked better and Jai Holland went close after turning his marker brilliantly and driving for goal but his angled shot went wide of the upright. At the other end of the pitch Lee Williamson did brilliantly for Ayr at the back when he diverted a goal bound header up and over his own bar. Falkirk scored again when Louis Kerr couldn’t hold a free kick and Falkirk were again quick on the rebound to turn home the loose ball. However Ayr dug in, rolled the sleeves up and went on to have a better spell which was rewarded when Reece Craig (pictured) finished sharply after good work down the right by Ben Black and Connor McMillan. Reece then nearly got a second after further good work by Black and Thomson, however this time he couldn’t keep the shot down. Falkirk finished the scoring with a nice finish slipped past the onrushing goalkeeper.
Positives for Ayr were the newly signed Louis Kerr in nets who made some great stops including saving a penalty and the always dangerous Craig McGuffie wide left. Falkirk were a very strong physical outfit who also try and play good football and while Ayr are a good footballing side they need to win the individual battles to earn the right to play. Today Falkirk were first to the ball on too many occasions.
However the lads will bounce back and look forward to entertaining Dundee United at Belmont Academy next week.
