Match Report - By Steven Mew

Report by Steven Mew

Both City and Falkirk are still searching for their first victory in the Championship after a well contested draw at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

The Bairns, tipped as the most likely side to challenge Dundee United for the title have toiled so far in the league after a very promising league cup group stage. A victory against Sligo Rovers in the Irn Bru Cup last week however gave them a much needed confidence boost going into the match at Glebe Park.

Despite a dominant 5-0 friendly win against local junior side Brechin Victoria last weekend, City went into the game looking to bounce back from a bitterly disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to Inverness a fortnight ago.

Darren Dods made two changes to the side that started against the Caley Jags. Defender Ryan McGeever made an earlier than expected return from a wrist injury whilst new loan signing Connor McLennan came straight into the starting 11 after signing on a development loan from Aberdeen last week. Making way was Euan Spark and Isaac Layne.

City started the game brightly and could consider themselves extremely unfortunate not to have broken the deadlock after just 7 minutes. Kalvin Orsi cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a speculative dipping effort from 30 yards which cannoned off the underside of the crossbar. From the rebound, Finn Graham could only head wide with Falkirk keeper Robbie Thomson still floored after the initial effort.

The Bairns burst into life after this early scare and they opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark. Rory Loy, a summer signing from Dundee was the architect as he flicked the ball into the path of ALEX HARRIS who struck a half volley which squirmed under the body of Graeme Smith and into the net.

The visitors were clearly boosted by this goal and they continued to push forward in the search for a second. Rory Loy had a go from distance but his shot was easily gathered by Smith. James Craigen was next to come close for the Bairns when the ball fell kindly to him at the back post but the midfielder could only screw his shot wide of the goal.

Although Falkirk had much the better of the first half, City showed they were still a threat on the break. Kalvin Orsi advanced with the ball from midfield and dragged his shot wide of the post from the edge of the box when releasing a pass to Finn Graham on the right may have been a better option.

As the interval approached, Falkirk conjured up two glorious chances. Nathan Austin was played clean through on goal but he put his shot past the advancing Smith and just wide of the post. Just two minutes later, some slack passing by City on the edge of the box allowed Alex Harris an opportunity but his low drive fizzed just wide.

With Falkirk perhaps unlucky not to add to their advantage before the break, City knew they had to improve in the second period, and that they did.

It was fairly uneventful up until the hour mark – City were clearly growing in confidence as the game wore on and started peppering shots at the Falkirk goal. Jordan Sinclair had a shot deflected just past the post for a corner and barely a minute later the same player had another shooting opportunity from distance but the effort was wild and well off target.

It wasn’t long before City got the equaliser they craved. A cross from Willie Dyer on the left was flicked on by Kalvin Orsi, the ball eventually falling for FINN GRAHAM who made no mistake from close range, drilling the ball low past Robbie Thomson for his second goal of the season.

Although it was the home side that had the better of the second half, Falkirk were still very dangerous in the closing stages. With just five minutes remaining Conrad Balatoni’s flick on header ended up on the roof of the net and just a couple of minutes later Aaron Muirhead shot just wide.

The Bairns came even closer shortly after – substitute Craig Sibbald had an effort from distance which was deflected and parried away by Graeme Smith.

As the game approached stoppage time, it was City who came close to nabbing all three points. Isaac Layne’s run down the left flank was ended abruptly by a late Tom Taiwo challenge and from the resulting free kick, loanee Connor McLennan headed straight into the grateful arms of Thomson.

Layne himself came closest to grabbing the winner with just seconds remaining. A long ball forward was flicked on by McGeever which sent the striker clean through on goal but his effort was saved by Thomson.

Overall, a thoroughly deserved point for City after a much improved second half performance. A tough trip to take on fellow part timers Dumbarton next week beckons but the squad will head into the game full of confidence as they chase their first win in the Championship.