BonnybridgeICT

We did fail to perform on Saturday. However, the game was sitting at a stalemate and going nowhere until a dreadfully poor decision by the linesman gifted Falkirk a 'goal'. A turning point like that completely changes the game. Would we have scraped a draw had Falkirk not got that goal?.... while the game ended up 4-0, who knows what might have happened if we had taken the game into halftime level.

Falkirk's first goal was a shocker - couldn't believe it when the linesman didn't flag. At the time my eye was caught by the falkirk player who scored, thinking he's a mile offside... when he tapped the ball in, I calmly looked to the linesman and waited for the flag. I was stunned as he untethered his labrador and sauntered back up towards the halfway line. Have just watched the tv highlights now and still can't believe the decision - the inactive player surely becomes active as he wallops the ball into the net!?! The game was a non-event up till that point with neither team playing well. The gift of a goal gave Falkirk the momentum, woke up their fans, and practically handed Falkirk the game. Esson straight red card was a farce. He had already been booked so probably would have went anyway, but a straight red? The Falkirk player was running across goal and not straight towards it. As we've seen with Celtic in recent months where Boruc (on Dargo) and McManus, their 'last man' escaped a straight red on the basis that the player was moving away from goal. All that said though, we were rubbish. We missed the simple cutting pass up front time and time again, and then on other occasions just tried to walk the ball into the net. Very frustrating to watch. Sometimes a shoot on sight policy isn't such a bad idea, especially when Falkirk's goalie had been dodgy early on and repeatedly dropped the ball like it was a hot tattie. I also thought our midfield was posted missing for much of the game, and we lacked a bit of fight in the middle. Lionel was a major liability at times by trying to do too much. Only consolation was the sight of Lionel booting about 4 footballs over the tents and out the stadium. Hopefully that'll be just enough to tip Falkirk financially over the edge Oh, and other plus point was Pressley having to go off after his arthritis played up. Full marks to the singers in our fans who kept the away support noise going even though the team was letting us down. The chants of "you only sing when you're winning" summed up the great effort of our fans despite the score.

I was sitting near the front and saw the stewards giving the group near the front a hard time.... the first time they started doing the bouncy. Also, did anyone else see one of the stewards carting off someone to the side and taking down details?... wasn't sure what all that was about. A small minority of the stewards are total jobsworths at Falkirk. I got told off at the last Falkirk away game for having a foot rested against the vacant seat in front. Took my foot down but the steward wasn't too happy when I pointed out umpteen Falkirk fans who were doing exactly the same. Absolute fun police, which isn't what is needed when they are trying to attract folk into football grounds at ?21 a head.

yes they do. i find that most jjb's do sell the local teams strip, so im surprised the inverness branch doesnt follow suit. maybe something to do with keeping it to the club shop? the jjbs near me just mostly sell rangers and celtic and scotland. but then dunfermline or raith rovers arent in the spl. With a club like ICT, it is probably down to the club to have the commercial awareness to approach prospective retailers and negotiate a deal (whereas it will be the opposite way around with big SPL and EPL clubs, with retailers approaching them). I would therefore imagine that either they haven't even thought of the idea of approaching JJB or Tesco, or have ruled it out on the basis that these retailers maybe won't be offering the kind of return that the club is looking for. They'd likely be worried that direct sales would suffer.

Perhaps not representative in any way, but selected Djebi-zadi for the first time last night in my FIFA 09 team playing online - absolutely fantastic at left back! Kept a clean sheet in a couple of games against glory hunters playing with Barca and Man United thanks to LDZ. The guy is a legend for Caley...... on FIFA anyway.

I tried to get numbering/name put on at my local JJB and got a knock back on the principal that if they ruined the shirt they couldn't replace it. The assistant also queried why I would want SPL numbering on my Caley shirt anyway - had to explain that we were actually in the SPL.... that's the central belt for you.

Living so close to Falkirk I actually like the place and I genuinely, hand on heart, hope they do well in the First division next season.

Any idea of what the 'unique ICTFC memento' is that you get for sponsoring a player? I'd be quite happy to splash the cash if I got the item I sponsored (match shirt etc) as a keepsake, but from the sounds of it more likely to now be a poxy certificate and biro from the clubshop.

It's my local game so i'll be there! Hoping to sing 'are you Brewster in disguise' to Hughes if things are going well.

The club could even do some sort of 'pre-order pay up front offer' before the start of the season so that they would know how many long sleeve or keeper shirts to order in initially - it would be zero risk for them as they would have all the cash in for the (possibly) lower demand shirts being bought in. They could still then order in a small stock for general sale throughout the year if demand prevailed but at least by catering for the main demand at the start then they could take full advantage of potential extra sales. Not sure if pre-ordering would be something that the club would consider. I'd certainly be one of the first in line to get my cash out for a new long sleeved away shirt and keeper jersey.

Agreed... I much prefer long sleeve versions of footie shirts so it would be great if that option was available. It's also a shame that the keeper shirts haven't been available for a few seasons now too. In general, while it's good that the club are fair with the fans by not changing both kits each season, i'm personally disappointed each year by the range of kit and merchandise on offer. While it wouldn't be sensible for them to end up with loads of unsold 'old season' kit, training gear etc at the end of each season, as things stand the club must surely be losing out on potential additional revenue.

Had to laugh at Barr referring to Duncan as a 'boy' in the press - it read like Barr was some veteran player spreading the wisdom of this wealth of experience. I think it went to his head that he was wearing the new Scotland away strip.

I don't remember getting charged for parking at the 2-1 game.... mind you, I was there really early so I don't even recall there even being a steward at the away fan car park bit. I'll be there for this game...... no excuses for me as I just live 5 mins along the road!

Can't wait to listen in on the drive home from work. Wonder if any ICT fans will be allowed on to speak.... nah, will probably be the same old usual self obsessed nonsense from the Rangers mob. Back page of the Sun today is great, with the simple headline 'BUTCHERED'. My ICT mug has been brimming with tea all day for the benefit of the Rangers fans in my office. :thumb04:

The Bonnybridge ICTFC supporters club is going wild too. Tennents currently being drunk out of a champagne glass!

fantastic.

Highlights on BBC website now.......

The team had a bit of fight about them today which was great to see. After so many defeats on the run, a point against the league leaders (regardless of how 'tired' they were) is a great stepping stone for us on the road to recovery. Hopefully it will get everyone feeling positive.

I wonder if they're currently considering applying to FIFA to get the World Cup put back a few weeks.... would only seem fair and would save the trophy engraver having to scrub out England's name from the cup.

Can't wait for Saturday.... I love a good funeral - will be there for sure. I might also buy a match programme just to help boost their funds for next season. Wonder if both of the Livi fans will turn up to see the match.

Would agree with one of the previous posts that Hoolahan from Livi looked awesome against us. If Livi were to get relegated then he would surely be a prime target for Premier League sides.

was at the game today and would agree with some of the previous posts - we seemed to be afraid to hit a decent strike on goal. I can remember a few opportunities where all you wanted to happen was for the player in posession to just belt it.... they ended up passing it wide which allowed Motherwell to regroup. Did anyone else find it bizarre that the amateur stewards at Motherwell allowed home fans to sit in amongst us?!? There was never going to be any trouble obviously but I can't think of it ever having happened before. Also, what about those daft wee backless seats that they subjected us to?