Report

In blustery conditions Halliburton welcomed Rothie Rovers to Lawsondale for their first home game of 2012. A decent although not full squad were available and Fisken & Young were given starts. They joined Sct Marlow in goal, N.McDonald, Simpson, G.Fulton & Woods in defence. Mutch, Webster & K.Jaques in midfield and S.Jaques in attack. Fisken was up top and Young in the midfield. In reserve were, George, S.Duncan, Laing & Brown. Rothie have of late been on a poor run but started this afternoons encounter strongly, taking the play, wind assisted to Halliburton. It took 6 minutes for Halli to carve out a chance when good play saw Mutch throw a ball up[ the line which was knocked on by Young to Fisken, he crossed in for Webster who flicked in S.Jaques. The red head firing high over the top. In 8 Simpson produced a fabulous tackle inside the box to prevent Miller of Rothie progressing as the visitors continued to dominate the opening stages. Their pressure paid dividends in 14. G.Fulton needlessly gave away a corner kick which was poorly defended allowing McKinnon to turn it in at the front post 0-1. In 22 Halli got their first shot on target when Webster drove a left foot effort directly at keeper Mitchell. Young made a good challenge in midfield to released Mutch, his cross was turned out for a corner which Mitchell took unchallenged. In 25 Miller of Rothie curled in a good free kick which was well held by Sct Marlow. Wood did well in 28 and picked out N.McDonald, he found Fisken but his low drive cross was well defended. In 31 Webster sclaffed a shot after receiving a Mutch throw in as Hall began to push for an equaliser. N.McDonald broke forward but was caught in possession then Young won it back with a sliding challenge out wide. (H.T0-1)

Halli came out eager to get right back into this match. Good link play saw Webster feed K.Jaques who then rolled it through to brother S.Jaques his first touch however too heavy. The visitors were forced into a change when Robertson was replaced by trialist  Downie. 2 mins later and Halli again contributed to another goal for Rothie. A good shout for offside, saw Halli hesitate enough to give Stuart the space to drill past Sct Marlow. This prompted a poor display by Simpson, who reacted in the wrong manner to criticism from the side. 0-2. Only 2 mins later Halli had a massive chance to pull a quick goal back when a long ball forward saw little of no challenge from S.Jaques on the visiting keeper and the ball went harmlessly out for a goal kick. In 589 Laing went on form N.McDonald as we switched to a 3 – 4 – 3.Halli won a corner in 68 which was swung across and broke to the edge of the Rothie box, S.Jaques met it well but the keeper did well to hold it. A Webster free in 67 was met by Young but the keeper got a hand to it and turned it round the post, N.Duncan glancing the resultant corner inches past the post. Halli wer now on the case and pulled back a goal in 70. Webster found Mutch who saw his shot headed on by Laing, again the keeper turning it out for a corner kick. The ball went deep and K.Jaques drilled the ball low into the 6 yuard box where Young was well placed to tap it home 1-2. In 74 Wood tried from distance with Laing helping it on and safely into t Mitchells hands. Red mist and Red Card followed when in 78 Fisken was on the wrong and of a sore one, he retaliated and there was only one correct outcome. 3-4-2 now but this had indeed hampered Halliburtons chances of a leveller. Halli threw everything at Rothie as we launched waves of attacks, the visitors stood up to this and not even a sizzling drive from 35 yards drilled in by Young could get the equaliser we deserved.  Right on the final whistle Simpson who had stayed up after a free kick for Halli made a fantastic challenge to ensure Halli finished on the ascendency when he thundered into prevent a Rothie clearance. The ball broke to K.Jaques who swung it into the area, only for yet again the visitors defence to clear. (F.T 1-2)

No real complaints, although a draw would not have been an unfair outcome. Two league defeats on the bounce do nothing to ensure Halli get into a safe position in  the  league table. With a very difficult cup tie scheduled for next week against reigning Premier League Champions Kincorth, it will be extremely hard to stop the rot. Our aim of course has to be climbing the league table and of course our forthcoming League Cup Final. This afternoon was not the end of the world but we must start to pick up points and secure our first division status before we slip into the danger area of the table. Greg Young was picked out by Rothie as the Hallitopman after a powerful midfield display. Not enough Halli players produced this afternoon, something that can not happen next week when we face Kincorth.