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On a day more suited for ducks than footballers Halli faced Ellon Thistle in the 2nd Rd of the Dickie Trophy at rain swept Hazlehead. Our normal park was waterlogged but a pitch was found and it was game on. As has now become normal we were struggling for bodies with only 12 available, one of them, Anderson would be a late arrival. Michie went in goal, Wood continued his comeback trail at right full back alongside Marlow, Fulton and Sim. Keith, C.Robertson, Morgan and N.Milne were in midfield and Westland partnered M.Woods in attack. Ellon looked very strong early doors but it was Halliburton who went into a lightening quick lead when after only 3 minutes we were one up. M.Woods broke on a great left sided run and fired home a superb opener. The goal fest was now underway with another 5 to come before the break! Ellon equalised in 8 mins when Wood was left with 2 men to cover. They went in front in 15 when a decent cross in from their right should have been dealt with easily by Marlow who failed to make contact, the ball headed past Michie. The same Ellon striker, Smith, then completed his hat-trick in 18mins. This time he was aided by Wood when he fresh aired an attempted clearance paving the way for Ellon's 3^rd. With the rain continuing to pelt down we pulled a goal back in 25. Marlow cleared to Morgan and he sent a super ball through into the path of N.Milne who had made a great run. Milne did well to move forward then square into Westland who slotted superbly home from the edge of the box. Game on. Michie dealt with a low effort competently as play continued to flow. Halli were right back in it but were hit with a sucker punch when in 40 mins Ellon grabbed a 4^th to regain their 2 goal advantage. (H.T. 2-4). Anderson had by now arrived to provide us with cover, credit to the sub for showing great commitment, many players would have simply not turned up in weather like today's. Morgan had picked up a hamstring pull but decided to battle on. Michie was in action taking a cross well then soon after he saved with his foot after Sim allowed his man to cut inside. We then had a chance when Marlow nicely picked out C.Robertson and the midfielder was unlucky to see his shot blocked. On the hour Mr. Boyes awarded us a penalty an easy decision following a blatant hand ball. M.Woods grabbed the opportunity to go top of our scoring chart when he slotted home from the spot. In 70 mins Anderson replaced Marlow in the sweeper role and was quickly into action when he out jumped a much taller attacker to head clear. He then had to show a quick pair of legs to get across to slide into a challenge out wide. N.Milne popped up in 75 minutes to level the proceedings. He did well to get in in front of a defender before prodding home from 6 yards. Unfortunately when making contact with the ball he fell awkwardly and dislocated his right shoulder. After some tender loving care from Jim Ritchie it was decided the best option was a trip to casualty. As he made his way back to the pavilion however, his shoulder popped back into place! He then bravely made his way back to the park to rejoin the action. Morgan thought it best to instantly test the shoulder and played a pass to Milne which was behind him, Milne gingerly attempted to retrieve it but the ball went out for a throw. Not long after this Milne moved onto a ball on the edge of Ellon's area but it was obvious his mind was more on self preservation than crunching into a challenge! Michie continued to perform miracles in goal doing very well to take a low drive into his chest. He then gathered another effort at the second attempt to keep us in with a chance of victory. We grabbed that chance in style in 85 minutes. Westland who had moments earlier treated us all to a display of heading ability surpassed only by some one with a fifty pence forehead, cushioned a neat lay off back to Morgan, he then released C.Robertson who although pursued by a couple of Ellon loons waited his time before calmly slotting the ball home to beat the keeper. The remaining 5 minutes were played out with neither side managing another attempt on goal and the ref blew to see Halliburton into the next round of the cup. (F.T.5-4). Excellent result coming from 2 behind twice in the match to win showed great determination. Good performances all over the park in particular Michie, Fulton, N.Milne and M.Woods. The keeper picking up an early xmas present wins Hallitopman.