BACK
TO REPORTS
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:-
|
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 |
|
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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.