This afternoon Halliburton opened their 32nd League campaign with a Division (2) East away tie at
Luthermuir. Todays hosts have tumbled down the ranks in recent years after a tumultuous run had
seen them promoted from the bottom division right to the upper Premier League. Our hosts would
have every intension of stopping the rot and climbing straight back up the ladder. We had run
them close last season in the Scottish cup but would have to be at our best this afternoon if we were
to get off to a flier.

Goalkeeper Sct Marlow, Defender Bews, Midfielder MacDonald and Striker Fisken were all
missing due to holidays, work or suspension. 5 new signings had been made in midweek however
only 2 of those were available today and they, Dougall & Alexander joined Marlow and Young on
bench. Veteran Mark Michie was drafted in as goalkeeper and played behind Ellis, G.Fulton.
Wood & Duncan. In midfield were Mutch, R.Fulton, Morgan & C.Michie with Webster and Laing
partnered in attack.

The customary first match photos were taken before Ref A.Barrie blew his whistle to signal the start
of the season. Straight from the KO Luthermuir stormed forward and inside 10 seconds a wicked
low ball whistled across our 6 yard box and out for a goal kick. The home side had posted their
intentions and continued to press. Webster got our first effort in on goal with a decent low shot
which was at the perfect height for the home keeper.

We had weathered the early storm and grabbed the lead in 12 minutes. Laing picked up some 20
yards from goal and waltzed past 4 defenders before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball,
albeit slowly, into the net from a tight angle. In 15 M. Michie kept us in front with an excellent save.
Duncan was roasted down the right and his colleagues in defence were caught short as the winger
cut inside to send in a low shot which looked in all the way until the veteran redhead somehow
contorted his old bones and got a hand to the ball to turn it away for a corner kick.

In 20 Halli came agonisingly close to a 2cnd goal when Webster broke through on goal. He had
Morgan racing into play and screaming for a square ball as the keeper advanced. Webster tried to
beat the goalie who did well to block away the effort. Morgan slid in at the back post however the
angle was too acute and his effort hit the side net. In 30 M. Miche rolled back the years with
another stunning stop. The bigman was left isolated when 3 Muir players converged on his goal
but amazingly got across his area to throw himself at a shot which he turned over the bar.

Wood made a crunching tackle wide right to halt an attack then Halli lost a soft goal. As a
Luthermuir supporters vehicle burst into flames in the car park we won a corner kick which was
headed clear by the home defence. They broke forward at pace, Halli were caught flat footed and
the score was level. Mutch came close when he forced a save out of the keeper however in 40 R.
Fulton gave away a totally needless free kick on the edge of our area and the set piece was rattled
into the net (H.T.2-1).

Webster had been an early casualty having been forced out of the action with a recurring
hamstring injury which now looks likely to keep him on the sidelines for a considerable period. He
had been replaced by Alexander and at half time we were forced into a second change when
C.Michie also reported a recurring injury. His place was taken by G. Young who went on in central
midfield with R. Fulton going wide left.

Early in the second half sub Young made a late challenge to give away a stone wall penalty kick
which was converted to see Halli fall 3-1 behind. Mutch was finding space on the right and made a
number of telling runs. Ellis also did well on the hour with a darting forward run however could not
get a telling cross in. In 65 Muir scored a 4th this time with a blistering shot that gave keeper M.
Michie no chance. The home side had a corner kick headed away by Morgan but the skipper got
little on it and it fell sweetly to the feet of the home centre who hit a beauty into the top corner.

In 70 M.Michie got up well to divert a cross away but took a thundering challenge from an attacker.
Halli were now storming forward and created a number of opportunities forcing some smart saves
out of the Muir keeper. The keeper was beaten in 80 when Laings goalscoring instincts took him
into the right position to tap home a loose ball. This handed us a lifeline and Laing came so close to
a hat – trick in 88. He chased a long through ball and somehow got a foot to it as he took a forearm
smash in the face off the keeper ! The ball agonisingly rolled goal wards but a defender got back
to clear off the goal line (F.T.4-2).

No complaints with this result. Luthermuir were the sharper side and we at best may have snatched
a draw. Not the best of starts however we have an early opportunity to redeem ourselves when we
play in our 2nd league game on Monday at home to McTeagle. Hallitopman this afternoon has to
be awarded to veteran Michie who produced a number of excellent saves but had no chance with
the goals.