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As is now normal call offs were the order of the day in the lead up to this afternoons match against Skene. Wood, M.Woods. Graham and England were all unavailable. Andrews and G.Woods returned and were both included in the side. Andrews was in goal, Fulton and N.Milne were full backs alongside Marlow and Robertson, Keith, E.Milne, playing in his 200^th match, Morgan and Shaw formed the midfield behind a front pairing of G.Woods and in an unfamiliar role, Michie. Subs were Sim and Merchant. Michie had been pushed up front in an effort to inject some physical presence, something that had sadly lacked in our last outing. Skene got off to a flier when they were gifted a goal inside two minutes. Marlow got a clearance all wrong when it should have been either booted to safety or left for Andrews who had infact called for the ball. The attempted clearance came back off N.Milne breaking to an attacker, his shot was parried by Andrews but it again fell nicely into the path of another Skene man who slotted it agonisingly between Andrews and Robertson on the goal line. On a plus we had 88 minutes to claw it back but despite a lot of pressure we failed to ask questions of the visiting keeper. We had a good chance when Robertson swung in a free kick, straight to the head of Shaw unfortunately the midfielder had on his concrete boots and failed to get off the ground. Skene were then handed another goal. N.Milne had ample opportunity to clear but dithered which allowed his man into nick the ball and Andrews was given little chance. Michie was doing well in his new role and seemed to have acquired a touch that had previously never been evident. Credit where it is due , this afternoon he was showing up very well and linked on a number of occasions with G.Woods and Keith. Michie came close to scoring in 35 when an Andrews kick out bounced straight through. The big man got a touch to send it past the advancing keeper only to be clattered to the ground before he could watch it go past the post. (H.T.0-2) Skene were well up for it and pressed forward from the k.o. Marlow intercepted to break up an attack then found Morgan, he squared to Robertson who moved it forward. The ball was swung into the centre and fell to the feet of Michie. He was leaning back and sent a good opportunity soaring over the top. Halli were enjoying all the pressure as we chased the game, the problem we had was our inability to get a shot in! All our good work was counting for nothing each attack fizzled out as we tried to work the ball into the goalmouth instead of having a go. The shape of the side was changed when Marlow replaced himself with Merchant in an effort to introduce a goal threat. We continued to dominate but Skene forced a save out of Andrews who got down to get a hand to a low drive, the ball was heading for his net but Morgan got back to clear. G.Woods was left embarrassed in 80 mins when he cut inside before swinging at fresh air inside the 6 yard box. In 85 mins we launched another attack which was repelled into a counter attack by Skene we were left out numbered and a 3^rd goal was driven in passing through between Andrews legs as it went! (F.T.0-3) A reasonable display this afternoon with everyone putting in a good deal of effort, however bad goals against and no shots made is a recipe for defeat. Well done to Mark Michie who picks up the Topman gong.