Guide to Falkirk

Last updated : 18 November 2004 By David Worton
This weeks "Team in the Spotlight" is league leaders Falkirk. With just two defeats this season, an opening day reverse to St Mirren and an 8-1 thrashing at Celtic in the League Cup, the Bairns are looking like favourites to lift the Division One title with Russell Latapy in sparkling form and Scott McKenzie keeping the midfield steady.

Just last week, Falkirk picked up their first silverware of the season with a 2-1 win over Ross County in the Bells Challenge cup. County took the lead through David Winters but goals from Neil Scally and top-scorer Darryl Duffy saw Falkirk come back to win.

Duffy has been possibly the main reason for Falkirk's turnaround from last season where they massively underachieved and finished 4th. The youngster was released from Rangers during the summer and Falkirk beat off competition from teams like St Johnstone and Clyde to land the striker, who on Tuesday made his debut for the Scotland U21's.

One ex-Clyde player at Falkirk, is Craig McPherson. The attacking leftback has been consistently good for the Bairns, since signing from Airdrie. He has already set up a goal for Andy Thomson against Clyde this season and enjoyed an intriguing tussle with Gary Arbuckle.

Davie Nicholls is the other ex-Clyde player at Falkirk, but the link is tenuous to say the least. Nicholls played for the Bully Wee in a preseason friendly against Stenhousemuir but didn't impress and returned to Falkirk. The defensive midfielder has scored several spectacular strikes this season and certainly gives the Bairns a bit of grit in midfield.

So far, Falkirk will be happy with their season. A crucial set of games against St Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Ross County, is followed by away games at their closest challengers; Clyde and St Mirren. These next few weeks will see if Falkirk, who are two points clear with a game in hand, will run away with the title, or whether they'll have a fight on their hands.