Halliburton travelled to Sheddocksley for the second time in three days, but this time on league business as they faced an encounter with newly-promoted FC Polska whom Halli had despatched 6-3 in a cup tie last season. Both teams were locked on 6 points after 4 games so three points would be vital. After a day of glorious sunshine, the heavens opened about an hour before kick-off and the rain would get progressively worse as the night wore on. This lead to the pitch being the complete opposite to Saturday – soft and skiddy. Halli had to make three changes from the weekend rout of Bankhead – Nick Duncan had a prior engagement as a waiter in Inverness for the night, Laing was coming to terms with his unfortunate leg break and Hendry was also missing. In came the fit-again Mutch, MacDonald and Simpson. This meant Halli lined up with Scott Marlow in goal; a back four of Bews, G. Fulton, Young and Simpson; a midfield of Mutch, Captain Morgan, MacDonald and Ellis; with Fisken and R. Fulton up front. Options looked extremely bare on the bench – Wood and Webster both nowhere near full fitness and the same could be said for the other substitute, though for differing reasons. In the most unlikely selection since Norwich Neil’s momentous debut at Bucksburn a few seasons ago, trialist Stewart Duncan literally filled the number 14 shirt and the final space on the bench. The match kicked off amidst driving rain and it was fairly obvious from early on that the conditions would mean this would be more of a battle than a decent football match. Both teams struggled to get to grips with things early on but finally it was Polska who started to control things with their big, bald, orange-booted number 5 dictating play. They created a few chances but all ended up being blazed wide or ballooned over. When Marlow was called upon his handling was sound considering the extremely tricky conditions. The same couldn’t be said for his kicking however as he continued to produce his best Jonny Wilkinson impressions throughout the first half by sailing the ball into touch at every opportunity. Morgan had Halli’s first effort at goal when he tried an acrobatic volley from the edge of the box which only just dipped over the bar. Polska nearly opened the scoring in spectacular fashion – the left-back latched onto a loose ball and sent a howitzer of a strike in from all of 35 yards which clipped R. Fulton’s heel on its way just past the upright with Marlow scrambling. All Halli were managing to create came down the right with Mutch sending over a few inviting crosses which Polska were managing to deal with comfortably, until one made its way to Simpson at the back post but his cushioned volley was blocked for a corner. With about ten minutes of the first half remaining disaster struck thanks to some catastrophic communication in the Halli defence. A long ball was played high and deep into the Halli half where G. Fulton was clearly waiting for a shout from Marlow that the ball would run through to him, but Marlow was hesitant and by the time he did shout it was too late as G. Fulton had decided he needed to try and intercept and could only watch in horror as he glanced a header past the onrushing Marlow and into the bottom corner of the net for his second career Halli OG and what will surely be his first appearance on Rory McGrath’s next Own Goals and Gaffes compilation. Halli were clearly shell-shocked, particularly G. Fulton whose bottom lip was quivering for the next few minutes. Polska nearly added a second when Bews brought down his man right on the edge of the box, but Young did well to block the resultant free kick with his knee. Young then nearly brought Halli level from a corner, but he timed his run too early and showed he was learning well from his defensive partner by heading towards his own goal rather than the Polska goal and the chance was lost. Just before half time came the moment that would ultimately turn the entire game on its head. Bews was beaten down the left flank and proceeded to haul down his man to concede a free kick. As Bews was lining up to defend the kick on the edge of the box, the Polska number 17 made a direct beeline for the Halli hatchet man and blatantly elbowed him in the face. As Bews prepared to retaliate the Polska nutter did it again and Bews was sent sprawling. Incredibly, the ref did not see either incident and despite intense protestation from the Halli players and bench he could not send the Pole off though he knew he’d been done and was going to be keeping a very close eye on them from now on. Halli were not prepared to accept this though and there was a long hold-up as what started as a spot of continental handbaggery escalated into a serious flashpoint. Soon after the half time whistle blew and just as well as the Halli players were fuming – Mutch in particular told to wash his mouth out with soap by the sidelines. (HT 0-1). As the half-time jelly babies were devoured it was clear Halli were going to do all it took to win this game. Straight from kick-off Halli were clearly going all out to pummel their opponents into submission. Fisken screwed their first effort wide and he then missed a golden opportunity to equalise. Halli were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box as Fisken was felled. With the keeper hugging the post lining up his wall Fisken took the kick quickly, but with the goal gaping the ball drifted wide. The Halli injury curse struck again soon after when Simpson pulled up injured. Coach Ritchie turned to his bench. He turned to Wood – no deal, injured. He turned to Webster – no deal, injured. He turned to Big Al, to Sheila, to Amber, to the heavens – no deal. Then he spotted out of the corner of his eye, someone already stripped and ready for action. You could see both the Halli and Polska supporters scouring the match programme for information on Halli’s mystery rotund number 14. A debut for trialist Stewart Duncan as he joined Fisken up front with R. Fulton dropping to left mid and Ellis to left back. Would the self-proclaimed “impact” sub be able to turn things round?? You could sense Messrs Spielberg and Lucas waiting in the wings for their latest Hollywood script if he could. First signs were encouraging as Duncan produced a mesmeric touch to knock on a high ball but the move petered out. Halli were starting to get extremely frustrated as countless corners and throw-ins were scrambled away by the Polska defence. Young, Fisken and Bews all had headers but none of them could hit the target. The referee was also getting frustrated with Polska’s diving and general antics leading to him letting the game flow and basically any tackles went – the Stuart Bews dream scenario!! R. Fulton then picked up the ball just in the Polska half, he drove past a couple of men before unleashing a fierce, low drive from 25 yards which was so unlucky to crash off the post. Finally the Polska number 17 received a card, though only yellow for felling Ellis. Incredibly, after incessant Halli pressure the next goal was Polska’s with less than half an hour left. Fisken tried to thread a ball through to R. Fulton but miscued it and the ball was headed away. Unfortunately with so many Halli players forward looking for the equaliser, G. Fulton and Bews were left exposed as Polska broke on the counter attack and sure enough the attacker broke free and danced round Marlow before slotting into the empty net. This cued wild Polska celebrations and disbelief in the Halli ranks. Surely it wasn’t going to be Halli’s night. In fact Polska should have had a third when again they broke clear down the right. The ball was squared low into the middle where Marlow should have gathered comfortably, but with the conditions being as greasy as his barnet the ball slipped away from his grasp and the Polska man had only Mutch on the line to surely tie up the three points. However, the fledgling physio had other ideas and produced a heroic block on the line. Halli regrouped though and the corner and throw-in counts continued to grow – Fisken had a back-header from inside the six yard box brilliantly tipped over by the keeper and Duncan saw a cute backheel also smothered on the line. Polska were defending for their lives and Morgan, Young and MacDonald all tried their luck from long range but to no avail. At last with about 15 minutes left Halli pulled one back. Marlow finally managed to keep a goal kick from hand in play and it sailed over the Polska defence where Fisken was waiting to bring the ball down, hold off his man and slot the ball past the advancing keeper. Duncan was quick to grab the ball out of the net and sprint back so the restart could be taken as soon as possible. However, on his way back to the centre circle his body realised there was to be no pint at the end of this sprint and proceeded to shut down. The medics were calling for the defiblirator but Duncan’s adrenaline kicked in and he threw the ball the rest of the way and staggered back for the restart. Halli continued to pour forward and with a slice of hope and belief restored were level within five minutes. Ellis put a long throw-in into the box where Fisken controlled on his knee before swivelling to thunder a volley in off the bar. At last Halli were level and from here there was only going to be one winner. Polska were dead on their feet, with one of their subs making the ridiculously brave decision not to wear shinpads especially with Young careering into tackle after tackle like a man possessed. And it was Young who struck the decisive third with just minutes left. He picked up the ball on the edge of the box, took one touch before arrowing an exocet missile of a shot into the bottom corner with the keeper well beaten sparking wild scenes of celebration as every Halli player piled onto the goalscorer in the centre circle including unused substitute Webster whose hamstring briefly made an incredible recovery to join in the chaos. Rumours of Sheila being on top of the pile remain unfounded. Halli had to get their minds on seeing out the final minutes but even managed to wrap up the win with a fourth. Duncan tried to take the ball into the corner to waste time but was duly tackled. Fortunately Morgan won it back and did brilliantly to beat three men down the line and send in a great cross which the unmarked Fisken was waiting to side foot home on the volley to complete his hat-trick. Four incredible goals in 15 incredible minutes. Shortly after the restart the final whistle blew and the remarkable comeback was sealed to joyous scenes. (FT 4-2) EPIC. The only word that can sum up this game. Tough conditions, frustration building but Halli still dragged themselves off the floor to conjure up three points which lift us up to fifth in the table. It would be nice not to have to come from two goals down every week though!!! Top man goes to Greg Young for the second successive game for tackling like a man possessed and the Polska players were clearly scared of the big man. His performance topped off by the stunning third which shows what amazing things can happen with a pair of new boots!!! Next up is Monymusk on Saturday who are now four goals ahead of us in the table, hopefully some injuries will clear up by the weekend. News on trialist Duncan’s Tuesday morning condition – serious but stable!!