Match Report 4

           

 

 

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MATCH DETAILS:-

 

DATE :-

16th August 2003

FIXTURE:-

Halliburton V Don Athletic

K.O. :-

2:00PM.

COMPETITION:-

League

VENUE:-

Hazlehead

COLOURS:-

Royal, Royal, Black.

SUMMARY:-

Stuart Marlow

RESULT:-

Halliburton 1 Don Athletic 1

SCORERS:-

Robertson

TEAM:-

GOALKEEPER:-

Michie

DEFENCE:-

N.Milne

Robertson 4

Marlow

Sim 4

MIDFIELD:-

Keith

E.Milne 4

Graham 4

Morgan 4

FORWARDS:-

Anderson 4

G.Woods 4

SUBSTITUTES:-

McDougall 4 replaced N.Milne Half Time.

HALLI-TOPMAN Dave Graham

 

 

 

REPORT:-

Manager Marlow had been forced to increase the size of the squad this week when it became apparent we would again be struggling for todays match. Youngster Dave McDougall was signed and listed as our loan sub for our contest with Don Athletic. Michie, N.Milne, Marlow, Robertson, Sim, Keith, E.Milne, Graham, Morgan, G.Woods and Anderson were on hand to try and pick up our first 3 points of the campaign. Everyone is by now well acclimatised to the tropical conditions we have had to endure in our opening matches and today it would be no different . Don Athletic were to enjoy the upper hand throughout the first half as Halli were pushed back. We were being over run in the midfield and too often in defence we were being pulled all over the place as the visitors dictated the play. Michies handling was not as proficient as normal and the big man looked uncomfortable on a number of occasions when the ball came at him off the fiery surface. Graham was showing up well in his unaccustomed midfield role displaying a good touch as he battled to supply his forwards. He went on a couple of strong runs but could not ignite any explosive attacks for us. We had been under more pressure than Athletic but had looked likely to weather the storm until Michie fumbled a pretty simple catch. His mistake proved costly as the ball fell sweetly for Mathieson of Athletic who slotted it into the net in 43 mins.(H.T.0-1). N.Milne had taken a knock and asked to be excused from the second half. This meant a change around in the positions. McDougall came on to make his debut up front as Anderson was moved back into sweeper and Marlow across into the right back berth. We also went with a reformed rear guard when Robertson was instructed to sit in behind the midfield in an effort to thwart the Don Athletic dominance effectively meaning we played with 3 at the back. This move did pay off and another only 10 mins into the half also gave us a better shape. McDougall was switched to wide left, Morgan into the centre of the engine and Graham up into attack. Michie made a good save in 70 as we began to tire but credit to everyone on the park for continuing to put in total effort throughout this half, that may have been questioned by Morgan who seemed to being going through the menopause such was his mood!! Keith was another angry man but only with himself as he loudly blasted himself for having, by his standards, a howler. We did start to create chances with G.Woods missing a couple, one good chance in particular when he headed over unchallenged. E.Milne wasted a free kick before with time running out Michie sent a speculative long ball forward. Robertson turned to follow it into the box and in fairness the man of many goals has hit sweeter strikes, however it had the desired effect and the keeper was beaten at the near post. Robertson then was forced into the position made completely his own---head in hands, arse in the air when he headed a great, match winning opportunity, over the top in the dying seconds. A reasonable result given that we once again came from behind. Good performance particularly in the first 45 from Hallitopman Graham.