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Our final midweek match of the year saw us travel to Ellon to face Ellon Thistle. If numbers have been low in previous matches they were almost non existent this evening. Our case was not aided in the slightest when N.Milne phoned at 5.30 to inform that he was unfit. Yet another signing had been made in the shape of Dave Stewart and an s.o.s. had gone out to and been answered by ex Halli player Neil Tennant. Both the aforementioned had expected to be on the bench but found themselves thrust into the heat of battle as we only had the eleven starters. After a stress full journey from Aberdeen in horrendous traffic we lined up Andrews, Stewart, Marlow, Michie, Sim, Keith, E.Milne, Tennant, Morgan, Graham and M.Woods. Tennant had been asked just to sit in and pick up the pieces but early on in was evident that fitness was going to be a problem for him. That said he gave 100% for the cause. Stewart was showing up well and broke up a number of attacks. Marlow blocked a shot out for a corner then Michie twice showed his metal with strong challenges out wide to usher the ball to safety. It was all Ellon and we fell behind in 25. Michie got up to clear but the ball fell nicely into the path of an on rushing forward who went out wide and fired in from a tight angle. Andrews should have saved this without question as he allowed the ball through his hands too easily albeit a fierce drive. Our heads did not go down as we continued all over the park to battle. We launched into a series of attacks and forced their keeper into as save off E.Milne. We won a corner and had the home side all over the place as we ripped into them. We did everything apart from scoring with the ball cannoning off players it found its way out right. Keith sent in a good cross which E.Milne rose to head down and goalwards, a defender was on the line to boot clear. Right on the half time whistle we were gutted when the home side increased their lead. A corner kick was powerfully headed home despite a decent challenge from Stewart and E.Milne. (H.T.2-0) We changed the formation around with Tennant being dropped into sweeper and 45 year old Marlow putting himself into the midfield. This swap was to be crucial as the manager and Morgan shouted themselves hoarse to encourage and drive the rest of the team onto a fantastic comeback. In 55 mins a long ball from Andrews went straight through the middle and M.Woods first timed a sweet volley into the net. We were now back in it and 10 mins later Marlow sent a neat pass through to send Graham one on one with the keeper. He held his nerve and slotted it home. Game on! We were now buzzing and looked the more likely to score again. Ellon were keen on playing the ball about and across the back and M.Woods and Graham were doing well to close this down. E.Milne was crunching into tackles in the middle and Keith was back to his best as he caused havoc up the right. In 70 mins we went into a deserved lead. A great move down the right paid off when Marlow gathered in the box went past a defender and swiveled to fire Halli in front. Ellon were rocking but as expected were not willing to lie down to this. We now had to increase the work load and Morgan and Marlow upped their vocals to ensure that everyone gave 110%. In 80 Morgan chipped a cute pass over the defence into the path of Marlow who was deifying the years to surge forward at every opportunity, on this occasion the pass was just too strong. Morgan got it right however seconds later this time finding M.Woods who calmly rounded the keeper to put us 2-4 up. Ellon kicked off and we went to sleep at the back. Sim came well off his man as a cross was sent in from the left and the winger had a simple task on his hands 3-4. 5 mins remaining and yet again we had to increase the effort. Ellon were awarded a free kick on the edge of our box but our wall stood firm and blocked the effort. Halliburton finished the game on the offensive and when the final whistle blew had gained a much deserved three points. (F.T.3-4). A breathless performance all round. This was a classic amateur game of football. It was a vintage Halliburton performance, over the years we have always done well against the odds. Nothing but praise for every player involved. In the second half Morgan and Marlow stood out as the inspirational figures, but that takes nothing away from any other players. Indeed for his outstanding first half display Michie picks up the Hallitopman award. Tonight however was all about 11 players, excellent display.