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Our season resumed this afternoon when we travelled out to meet Stonehaven Athletic in a league encounter. This of course was our first match without Gary Longmuir who had so tragically died on March 10^th. The squad had attended Gary's funeral last Wednesday when around 500 people gathered to pay their last respects. No way will we ever be able to replace Gary within our team and it would be unfair to even try, however the best way to remember him is to carry on and try to put in the same effort that he produced in every one of his 520 appearances for the club. I am certain that Gary would have been well pleased by our performance this afternoon, as every player involved turned in a 100% display, to earn us a well deserved 3 points. Manager Stuart Marlow had wanted to field the boys who had played alongside Gary the most over the years and included himself in the starting eleven which was, Andrews, N.Milne, Marlow, Robertson, Michie, Keith, E.Milne, Morgan, Shaw, G.Woods and M.Woods. The subs were Fulton, England, Sim, Wood and Merchant. Following a minutes silence respectfully observed by both sets of players we got down to the job of continuing our recent good run in the league. The bright sunny day coupled with a rock hard surface and strong wind made the conditions difficult to defend in as we faced the wind and sun. Stonehaven came at us and Robertson was left for dead out wide, a low cross in was allowed to drift past Michie and we were lucky to survive as an attacker just failed to connect. Robertson and Marlow then combined to clear before Shaw came close. A neatly worked free kick saw G.Woods nod down for Shaw who should have done better with a close range header. G.Woods then had two shots blocked as the half ended level (H.T0-0) We burst into action with E.Milne almost reaching the ball before they had kicked off! M.Woods quickly shut down in the centre and found his brother. He in turn found E.Milne who had his shot blocked. The Woods then both tried long range efforts which flew over much to the relief of the ref who was breathing out of his arse and welcomed the rest. Athletic went in front when N.Milne was turned in the box a cross was then met unchallenged and headed home. Michie produced a great challenge inside the 6yard box to keep us in it before Robertson headed us level off a left wing corner. Morgan was now buzzing and dictating play then Keith went on a strong run through the middle as we went in search of the winner. Our chance arrived when Merchant went down in the box with 2mins remaining. G.Woods slammed it home only to have his celebrations cut short when the ref ordered a retake as N.Wood had been inside the box! The big man produced an even better 2nd effort and almost took the stanchion away with a piledriver. We now looked to be on course with only 2 mins left, however the home side amazingly were also awarded a pen when M.Woods tripped in the box. Andrews however rose to the occasion and conjured up a world class stop down to his right to ensure the 3 points went north. As the ref blew for time the Woods brothers became involved in a bit of handbags on the touch line when Graeme sprang to his little brothers defence after a big boy from Stonehaven picked on him. (F.T 1-2) Fantastic result to keep our already impressive run of results going. 5 wins from the last 6 games sees us climb the league and if we can continue this form we shall undoubtedly end up in the top quarter. Topman today Tony Morgan.

Stats in League so far.