This afternoons AFC Trophy 1st Rd Tie away to Hayloft at Shedocksley saw Halliburton arrive for the clash with only 9 fully fit players ! Veteran Mark Michie was called up and included in the starting line up along with Webster who agreed to start despite still feeling the effects of a hamstring strain and G.Fulton who literally rolled out of his sick bed to play. Our loan sub was Marlow who knew full well he should be no where near a playing role , hampered by a continuing heart problem which is currently being checked out, todays and last Saturdays appearance gives confirmation to the saying “There’s no fool like an old fool” ! Sct Marlow was in goal, Bews, G.Fulton, Young and Duncan at the back. Mutch, Morgan, M.Michie in a holding role charged with the responsibility of attacking all kick outs by both keepers and R.Fulton formed the midfield with Webster joining Fisken in attack. Hayloft looked a decent outfit but Halli started on top without however asking any serious questions of the home keeper. After 12 mins Hayloft lamped a long ball forward which Duncan failed to clear with any conviction. The ball was collected 40 yards from goal and the Loft player moved forward going past a number of Halli men before Young moved into block his shot. Unfortunately the Hayloft man got his shot away and Youngs foot crashed into the attackers knee. The home player looked and sounded like he had sustained a serious injury but incredibly he was not immediately replaced, indeed there was word of him coming back on at one stage ! Whilst he was off getting treatment his colleague banged in the resultant spot kick. Soon after the restart the injured man hobbled back to the pavilion and his replacement came into the action. In 15 Fisken brilliantly took a Duncan ball inside and went past his marker, he cut inside and drilled a shot goalwards which the keeper turned away, the ball fell into the path of R.Fulton, however it came at him very quickly and this caused him to fire wide. In 20 we were awarded a free kick some 35 yards from goal and Webster despite struggling with his injury tested the keeper with a crisp drive. Moments later we had a chance after a great surging run from Mutch was picked out unfortunately his first touch was too heavy and this took the ball through to the keeper. Hayloft came close at the other end in 22 mins. A low ball across the area was palmed away by Sct Marlow and Mutch raced in to complete the clearance. Bews took an elbow in the face but the ref missed it, then in 28 Fisken and his opponent both showed total commitment in a 50 / 50 challenge with both men belting into the tackle. Fisken however caught his studs and jarred his knee forcing him off for treatment. He resumed but it was soon evident that he could not continue and Marlow very reluctantly stripped. R.Fulton was moved into attack, M.Michie moved to left back and Duncan went forward into left midfield. Marlow slotted in for M.Michie in central midfield. Marlows first involvement saw him send a good ball wide left for Morgan who raced forward before his run was halted by the full back (H.T.) With our injury ravaged 11 under the cosh Marlow intimated that is was highly likely he would be unable to complete the match, however was willing to give it a go and swapped roles with G.Fulton. In fairness we held our own, just, throughout the second half but with Webster gamely battling on, G.Fulton understandably little more than trotting, Marlow tentative at best and M. Michie beginning to feel the effects of his first full game in manys a long time as well as having to put up with “Are you Ian Dowie in disguise” ? chants from the Hayloft side line, then it was always going to be a struggle. Morgan was playing a real captains role and upped his game to battle in the middle. Unfortunately too few of the other fit players could lift their performance and it was only on a few occasions that we got forward with any real threat. In 60 Morgan made a lung bursting run to get onto an R.Fulton cross field pass and his right foot effort flew just over the top. Duncan was next to feature when he collected off good work by R.Fulton. He moved forward then sent in a rasping shot which rose just enough to fly over the crossbar. In 65 a rare moment of involvement from Marlow saw him nicely intercept a cut back then stab the ball clear for a corner. Webster broke clear but just could not raise the speed to pull away from his man, a fully fit Webster would have left the defender in his wake. G.Young neatly turned a defender to fire past then Hayloft broke forward with M.Michie out paced but with another striker unmarked inside the #10 some what selfishly drilled a shot beyond the far post. Bews did very well with a double tackle on the edge of the box then Sct Marlow only just managed to perform a Paul Andrews clearance when he raced outside his box, waited for the attacker to come, megged him then booted clear, aided by Uncle who timed a body check nicely on another Hayloft man who was storming into close down the keeper. Morgan binned himself in 79. Then with around 10 minutes remaining Hayloft grabbed the decisive second goal. A corner in from the left was partially cleared and the ball collected by a midfielder . Bews and Marlow moved out to close him down but he sold a dummy before firing low through a ruck of bodies. The ball flew into the net off the unfortunate M.Michie . The game was played out pretty uneventfully with the Hayloft lobbing verbals towards our bench suggesting Jim Ritchie was a cheat when he failed to raise the flag for a ball which they obviously could clearly see as out from the other side of the park ! (F.T.2-0). Our chances of taking anything from this effectively ended when Fisken was forced out of the action. By the 60 minute mark we were pretty much down to 8 fully fit men. Great credit to Webster, M.Michie, G.Fulton and Marlow who despite the foolishness of participation were all willing to pull on the shirt and do their best. Good display from M.Michie who in no way let us down. Playing wise Tony Morgan was way out on his own as Topman. One to put down to experience and hopefully we can regroup and get back to winning ways next weekend.