[DavidMc]

Falkirk 4-0 St Mirren
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 16th February 08
Brockville Stadium

A poor performance from St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Howard handed Falkirk a comfortable win at the Falkirk Stadium.
Scott Arfield's early header opened the scoring for the Bairns and the youngster doubled his tally following a mistake from Howard.

Howard's afternoon went from bad to worse as his weak punch was turned into the net by Patrick Cregg.

Cregg then put the match beyond doubt with a terrific strike from the edge of the box which flew into the net.

St Mirren's Stephen McGinn had the first effort of the match with a long-range drive which fizzed wide, although it was Falkirk who were having the bulk of the play.

It was the home side who broke the deadlock moments later when Arfield headed Carl Finnigan's cross into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

The home side then caused problems when Darren Barr flicked on Pedro Moutinho's corner, but McGinn was alert on the goalline and cleared the ball.

Following this early promise however, the game became a scrappy affair, with a heavy pitch causing problems for players from both sides.

Andy Dorman then passed up a chance of an equaliser as he shot wide from eight yards out following a flick on from Craig Dargo.

St Mirren started the second half brightly, but it was Falkirk who threatened first as Jack Ross's mis-hit cross left Mark Howard stranded but sailed off-target.

Hugh Murray then went close for St Mirren, but his powerful drive from the edge of the box went comfortably over.

Howard was then at fault as Arfield's tame right-footed shot, again from Finnigan's cross, slipped through the keeper's legs to put the Bairns two goals ahead.

Moments later Howard's nightmare continued as he punched a cross weakly into the path of Patrick Cregg, who headed over the keeper and into the net.

The two quick goals were a sucker punch for the Paisley side, and they struggled to rediscover their rhythm as the home side took control.

Cregg then rubbed salt into St Mirren's wounds as his rifled effort from the edge of the box flew into the net to put the match beyond the visitors.

St Mirren substitute Jim Hamilton tried his luck from a free-kick but his effort was straight at Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik.

Falkirk always looked the more likely to add to their lead and Kenny Milne shot from the angle of the box, but the defender's effort went wide.

Stephen Bradley then tried an audacious looping effort from forty yards out, but this time Howard was able to take the ball comfortably.



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Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Milne, Scobbie, Barr, McBride, Moutinho (Clarke 60), Cregg, Arfield, Barrett (Bradley 74), Finnigan (Stewert 83). Subs Not Used: Supple, Latapy, Aafjes, Robertson.

Booked: Barr, McBride, Ross.

Goals: Arfield 6, 58, Cregg 61, 71.

St Mirren: Howard, van Zanten, Barron, Potter, Maxwell, McGinn (Hamilton 65), Murray, Dorman (Brady 74), Corcoran, Dargo, Mehmet. Subs Not Used: Mathers, Kean, Miranda, McCay, Millen.

Booked: Murray, van Zanten.

Att: 5,803