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This afternoon we had to face Insch in the 1st rd of the Chatton Rovers cup. We had already played and beaten SAIC in the first round but a cock up from the match secretary meant that the original match was declared null and void. Our pre match preparations were also all to cock when at 1.25 we had 10 players stripped waiting to k.o. at 1.30. Andrews, Sim and M.Woods, all named in the starting line up had failed to appear and so a change to the original formation was required as we had to begin with 10 men. During the week the founder member of Halliburton FC had died and although only Stuart Marlow and Mark Michie from this afternoons squad knew George Sang, a minutes silence was held by way of respect. We started the match with Michie moved from centre back into goal behind, N.Milne, Marlow, Fulton and Murdoch. In midfield we had Keith, C.Robertson, Morgan and England with Anderson ploughing a loan furrow up front! We had a strong wing at our backs as play got underway and thankfully just after the ko M.Woods and Sim arrived. After a quick change M.Woods came on to partner Anderson up front. Insch were well on top and they were in the main dominating the middle of the park. Halli were simply flat with no one looking likely to inspire. Against the run of play however we grabbed the lead in spectacular fashion. Morgan did well in the centre to feed Anderson who collected turned looked up and from 35 yards brilliantly beat the keeper who had been standing off his line. That lead was not to last long. Keith surrendered possession 25 yards from goal. Murdoch was skinned and a low ball into the box was met and knocked home by an unmarked Insch player. Insch then went on to claim the lead in 35 when they yet again far too easily cut through our rear guard before shooting low past Michie. At this point Insch we well worth their lead as we continually gave the ball away too cheaply. (H.T.1-2). Andrews was by now on the side line and ready to, indeed begging to, go on up front. He did get on but in his more customary position with Michie coming out of goal into the centre half slot. Fulton joining Robertson in the middle and Morgan taking over from substituted England. Despite under performing throughout the first period we were still in it but as play resumed Insch once again began to dominate. Halli continued to produce appalling control and distribution, the ball coming back off some players as if they had straight edges on their legs and feet! Marlow then swapped Morgan back into the middle pushing Robertson up front and bringing Woods back to wide left. These changes definitely helped as we then went on to control the game for 20 – 25 minutes. In 75 minutes we should have levelled the score. N.Milne went on a superb run jinking his way past countless opposition players before teeing up Robertson. The ball fell beautifully for the makeshift striker and as the crowd roared in anticipation they were left gasping as he smashed it over the bar from all of 4 yards! A little after this Robertson was sent through on goal but decided against an early strike instead favouring to take the ball on. His heels were clipped and he crashed to the ground. The ref waved aside a strong penalty appeal to leave Robertson distraught. We kept pressing and Michie found himself following a ball in on goal. After a moment of bagatelle with the keeper and a defender, the ball was claimed by the keeper. (F.T. 1-2). In fairness the best team won the tie on the day with Halli unable to raise their game to an acceptable level over the piece. Insch had in fact enjoyed the lions share of play and had also hit the post in the second half. N.Milne gets the Hallitopman award with a first class display. It was very unfortunate for Sim not to feature after originally being in the starting eleven. Our squad has to sort its self out and quickly. Late and none arrivals at both training and for matches are not doing anything for the morale of the side. It is all wrong to have team mates wondering around prior to ko not knowing who will be playing where or when players will be arriving. Over all we must get much more commitment from a lot of the lads. Hopefully when the festive period is over we will get a more settled squad and we can jump start our season before it is too late. It will be interesting to see how things go after that?