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A depleted gathering converged on Inverdee as our numbers fell due to injury, holidays and work. It has been 8 months since we last played Highland in the league, our first match of the season. Missing today were Michie, G.Woods, Shaw and Sim to leave us with only 13. We did have the bonus of the return from injury of Fulton who was fit enough to start as a sub. Andrews was in goal, N.Milne and Wood at full back, Marlow and Robertson in the centre of defence. Keith, E.Milne, Morgan and M.Woods formed the midfield behind a front two of Graham and Merchant. Fulton was joined on the side by England The park was rock hard and dust was flying as the match kicked off. We started out on top although not playing anywhere near as well as we can. We were far too quiet with only Marlow and Andrews generating any noise in the form of encouragement. We came close twice to opening the scoring. Firstly Merchant did well to appear from no where to latch onto a low ball in from the left. He fired just wide of the near post. Robertson then tested the keeper. The centre back was up for a corner which landed nicely for him to strike a shot which the keeper did well to turn round his post. Robertson then hit his own bar when trying to defend a front post cross into the giant centre forward. Highland were beginning to make in roads down their left side and they took the lead in 25 mins. Robertson was caught in two minds between two players and Morgan just failed to close down as a low drive flashed past Andrews. They went two up only 5 mins later when again they ripped us to bits down their left side. Keith who in fairness was struggling with a heavy cold, looked to be labouring as he tried to chase back. The winger cut inside went past a couple of our men before skinning Marlow to shoot low past Andrews. At this point we were flat with absolutely no spark about us at all. We did almost pull one back in 40 when E.Milne picked out Morgan with a neat pull back. The diminutive midfielder muscled in a header which a defender on the line made a banquet of clearing for a corner.(H.T 2-0) We were quite simply under performing. Fair enough E.Milne, who was replaced at the break, Keith, Morgan and Robertson were all struggling with various aliments but that does not account for the atrocious passing we were producing. Right from the off we contrived to gift them the ball 3 times, Morgan and N.Milne the culprits. Slowly we began to gain some self belief as the penny finally dropped that we could get back into this match. We were being beaten by a poor side. Credit to them for putting the ball in the net but we were allowing the opposition an easy ride so far. Merchant tried in vain with a long range shot then Graham fell over his own feet! M.Woods then got us back in it with a screamer, a 40 yard flyer which beat the keeper all hands down. Marlow then picked up a soft booking when his opponent collided with his left boot following a late challenge on the sweeper. Robertson was moved forward as we went with three at the back. With time running out Marlow hit a decent half volley which the keeper saved at the second attempt and our chances of getting anything from the match were gone (F.T.2-1) A very flat performance with too many under achievers this afternoon. We did look better second half but lacked a goal threat. Topman goes to Nic Wood just shades N.Milne