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F.C.Byron were our opponents this afternoon in the first round of the Dickie Trophy. We had only 12 players available with one of them, Anderson , due to arrive just in time for the start. Some players were asked to play in unaccustomed roles with Fulton moved forward into central midfield and N.Milne out wide left in midfield. They were supported by Keith and E.Milne. Up front Graham partnered Anderson when he eventually arrived and in defence Sim, Marlow, Robertson and Stubbs formed the back line in front of Michie. England was our substitute. In a bizarre opening we started with 10 men and a sub. England could not be taken on because the team lines were in and to take England into the team would effectively have subbed Anderson leaving us with no sub. We battled away until Anderson came on but until that point we had been very quiet with little or no Halli voices to be heard. Fulton was first to try his luck, his low shot blocked by the keeper. Soon after the same player had another chance but this time he struck his shot past the post. Stubbs was then short with a pass out of defence but got back to produce a crunching tackle and redeemed himself. Robertson was called into action and did well to chase back and clear out on the left. We then fell behind. Stubbs and Anderson tried but failed to link when a loose ball came over it was then switched inside, we scrambled it away but it was met and a ferocious drive tore into the net. We were luck moments later when Sim missed the ball completely throwing the in rushing Robertson. A midfielder from Byron picked up and chipped Michie only for the ball to come back off his bar and straight into his arms. In 30 mins Byron claimed their second. Robertson initially did well to clean up in the box but his pass out was poor. The ball was moved right, Marlow went to block but the ball came off him straight into the path of a striker who netted. We got back into it in 40 mins. when a good through ball from Anderson released N.Milne he was onto it like a gazelle ghosted past four defenders then rifled a bullet with the outside of his left boot. The shot swerved brazillian style into the top corner of the net as the keeper clutched at fresh air!!!---calm down, he miss hit it, the keeper dived over it, it bounced, hit the post and trundled in(they all count).(H.T.1-2). We had given ourselves a chance with the late goal and we were then handed the perfect start to the second half when a defender smashed the ball into his own net. In 50 mins Anderson head flicked a long forward ball into the box and the full back stunned his mates by firing it home! This of course gave us a tremendous lift and we started to produce some quality moves. In particular up our right flank where Fulton, Sim and Keith were linking very well. E.Milne despite struggling with a back injury was now winning most of the high balls in the centre and Halli were in control. We were then forced into a reshuffle when E.Milne was forced to withdraw. Robertson was moved into midfield, Stubbs across to centre half and England came on at left full back. Marlow made a good tackle on the edge of the box to thwart the diminutive left winger as Byron began to turn the screw. We were defending well and almost snatched the lead when Robertson controlled in the box and turned to fire goalwards, the big keeper turning it over the top. Sim was performing well and made a good challenge out wide before surging forward to join in an attack. We won a free kick which was quickly taken and the ball arrived at the feet of Fulton. He made a superb cross field switch cross which was met at the back post by Anderson who leapt like a salmon to guide a sweet header into the net. Robertson was then immediately returned to his best position and Stubbs moved forward as we prepared to defend our lead. Indeed we should have increased the leaad when Anderson broke free and then laid it on a plate for Graham, the youngster went one on one but hit it straight at the keeper. Mins later a great run from Keith set up Anderson who after making a hash of controlling it touched it into the net. The ref blew for offside which left us hanging on. As time ran down Michie ensured we moved into the next round with a stunning save low to his right and then from the resultant corner Sim was well placed to nod one off the line. (F.T3-2) Great fightback. To come from two goals behind is excellent in any standard of football . A good all round performance with Fulton and Sim outstanding. The slimline fullback picking up the Topman.