TEAM:-

REPORT:

The North of Scotland Cup dominated the AAFA fixture list this afternoon and we were to face Peterhead side Balmoor FC in the first round at Hazlehead. The tie had been in doubt all week following incessant rain but the park was passed playable this morning. We lined up Michie, Fulton, Shaw, Robertson, and N.Milne. Keith, Longmuir, Graham and M.Woods. G.Woods and Wood. Subs listed were Sim, Merchant, Marlow,Quirie and Murdoch. A change of referee had been required and Mr. Pirie the substitute ref was to be under close scrutiny as a referees supervisor observed from the side. It was Halliburton who looked good straight from the off with some flowing football. Early on Robertson, making his return from injury, was forced off for treatment to a cut just above his eye. The stopper resumed moments later. We were ripping Balmoor to bits particularly up our right hand side with Fulton, Keith, Longmuir and G.Woods all linking to carve out ample opportunities. We opened the scoring when G.Woods fed the ever willing run of Longmuir, his low cross was missed by a defender and Wood tapped us in front. In 25 the provider turned predator with a finely taken goal. Longmuir picked up on a good through ball from Graham and moved forward prior to picking his spot. Next up we saw M.Woods swing in a teasing corner, the ball broke to Fulton who turned to fire goalwards, this time the keeper blocked the shot. Out of the blue Balmoor pulled one back when we fell asleep allowing their player-manager Jim Ritchie into score. The visitors then levelled the match, again through Ritchie as our back line stood like statues in the 40^th min. We were now sitting back allowing them to play and only when we picked up the pace and reverted to our passing game did we look more like the side that had dominated the opening stages.(H.T.2-2) Halli burst into the second half and Longmuir battled to send M.Woods clear. The wide man went on a strong forward run before unleashing a powerful shot which the keeper did very well to turn over. M.Woods was doing well on the left not only in attack but he was working hard to cover back when required. He is no doubt now benefiting from a long run in the side. Graham was struggling to get into it this afternoon, however the youngster would have his time later on tonight as he made a guest appearance as the strippers assistant at our fund raising night! He was replaced by Merchant who went up front with N.Wood dropping back into the middle. We continued to create chances but could not convert these into goals. We survived a scare when Balmoor broke free on the left, the low shot going just wide. Then in 75 Michie crashed into an attacker instead of crashing into the ball. He was lucky to escape a card and the resultant free kick was cleared. With extra time looming up popped Scholesy (Merchant) to win us the game. Fulton half hit a shot in from a corner and Merchant was on hand to sicken our opponents. (F.T.3-2) M.Woods continues to shine, topman today.