REPORT:-
It’s
taken 23 seasons but this afternoon provided us with the opportunity to lift our
first ever league championship. If players were nervous before last weeks semi
final win then today many were openly admitting to feeling the jitters as we
gathered at Hazlehead. Goalkeeper Paul Andrews was gutted at being forced to
miss out on the clubs biggest ever match through and injury sustained playing 5
asides at goals. This of course had forced a change to the line up with Mark
Michie going into Goal. Andy was switched to sweeper, Simmie into centre half.
Neill and Cooper were full backs behind Jason, Gary Longmuir, Ewen and Tony in
midfield. Graham partnered Gary Anderson up front. Stuart, Potts, Mark Wood, PJ
and Jim were listed as subs. Stuart made all the right noises before the match
but in truth everyone was well aware of what had to be done. A good opening was
a must if we were to settle into the game and ease the nerves and we got just
that when we took the lead in only 6 minutes through Craig Robertson. Tony swung
over a corner from the left and Ewen leapt to nod it down for Simmie to strike
on the half volley to put us in front. Mark dealt with an awkward bouncing shot
before releasing Neill, he found Gary A who moved down the wing and set up Jason
right in front of goal. Jase couldn’t control and a good change was gone. We
didn’t have to wait long for the 2nd however as we scored again in
10 minutes. Andy sent in an excellent free kick and Ewen rose to bullet a header
past a despairing keeper. A magnificent goal from Ewen, his 10th goal
from the last 7 games a superb return from a midfielder. It now looked as if we
would go onto hump our opponents big time, but in 15 minutes they pulled one
back to change the complexion of the match. A throw in was sent goalwards and
their centre headed it on. Our marking was suspect inside the box and the ball
was struck past Mark. Plenty of goals from the fans but for a while Halliburton
went flat after a bright opening quarter of an hour. The truth is Fintray never
really troubled Mark and Andy was doing a good job at the back. Neill picked up
a ball in the right back position and stormed forward. As he made it over the
half way line his journey was abruptly halted when he ran straight into a
Fintray defender. Graham was sent through to provide us with his weekly miss but
he was adjudged to have been in an off side position anyway. Gary Anderson broke
free and with nothing else on tried a quick shot which was well wide. Namesake
Longmuir was causing havoc in the visitors box with his searching throw ins and
time and again he launched them in Ewen and Graham both came close when they got
their heads onto these throws. Big Graham got our third in 40 minutes following
another throw the ball was up for grabs as it bawbled about in the 6 yard box.
Ewen and Graham battled with each other and Graham prodded it home to break the
club record (records began 89-90) for goals scored in a season this being his 25th
strike of the campaign. (Ht 3-1). Nearly there but a concentrated effort was
going to be required in the second half. This half proved to be a bit of an anti
climax as very few scoring opportunities were created by us, in fact we became a
bit disjointed and started to give the ball away too easily. Pott’s had
replaced Cooper at half time and went on a good run up the left, he put Gary
Anderson through but Gary snatched at his shot and sent it past. Fintray’s
keeper had to be taken off as he was clearly suffering from an earlier head
knock but we didn’t put his replacement under any great pressure. That said
Jase hit a rasper just over then Gary Longmuir went in a great cross from the
left which had the defence at sea, but we couldn’t capitalise. It’s hard to
remember Mark getting a touch in goal apart from the odd goal kick, so it was
obvious we were now well on the road to the title. Stuart and Mark Wood came on
for Gary A and Neill. Andy moving up front. Mark almost got a goat but the Ref
blew for a hand ball just as he lined up a shot. Finally Mr Lennox blew for time
and the Champagne started to flow!! (Ft 3-1). A magnificent performance by any
club to clinch the title. Irrespective of whatever league you play in to win the
Championship is the ultimate in football. Stuart and Gary have been there every
step of the way so it was great that both could take part in the match that
finally saw Halliburton clinch their first championship but of course it’s a
team game and everyone who has pulled on a Halli shirt this season deserves
praise. Over the season we have been the best side by a long way. A few hic ups
but credit to everyone for taking 22 points from a possible 24 in the games.
Following a hurtful defeat at home to Torphins in February. Another excellent
stat and one which must be closely guarded in our final league match is the fact
that we took 30 out of 30 points away from home. Our pool has worked well for us
with a mixture of youth and experience and with the league cup final looming
this could turn out to be a fantastic season one which everyone can already be
proud to be a part of. Today we became the first club in the AAFA to win a title
in the new century!
