The first step on the road to Hampden was taken this afternoon at a rain swept Lawsondale. Luthermuir were the visitors for this afternoons 2cnd round Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup tie. Wood was handed a starting slot after returning from a long term injury and he filled the right back berth in a defence completed by G.Fulton, Young and Duncan. Sct Marlow was in goal and in midfield Mutch after some deliberation started wide right alongside R.Fulton, MacDonald and Simpson. In attack were Wallace and Webster and in reserve we had Marlow, Hamilton, Brown and Laing. Laing was in truth in with little to no chance of being risked however he provided a welcome boost to the squad. Luthermuir appeared to be missing a couple of what would be described as their top players from our previous encounter earlier in the season. Halliburton of course had a number of stars missing. As referee Mitchell got the game underway keeping a watchful eye on any potential accruals, Wood smashed into a tackle which saw his opponent bouncing off him and the ball bulleting into the stomach of Mutch. Muirs keeper showed some deft footwork when he brilliantly toe poked the ball out for a corner with his standing foot whilst wildly slashing at it with his right foot!! In 15 a Mutch corner kick was headed partially clear but landed at the feet of Webster who rifled us into the lead with a half volley from the edge of the area. Minutes later Wood gained possession on the half way line and played a one two with Mutch before sending in a dangerous cross which just evaded Simpson. Our defence backed off in 25 to allow a cross field run in from the right and Sct Marlow pulled off a great save, seeing the ball late, but he brilliantly tipped it over the crossbar. Simpson did well to collect a wing pass from Duncan and after cutting inside his man sent a cross just too deep for the inrushing Mutch. Young was winning everything in the middle and was at his happiest sliding about in the dubs ! Both he and G.Fulton had totally closed the door through the middle as Halli although wind assisted, dominated the match at this point. In 40 Webster picked up on the left and sent a fantastic cross field ball fully 50 metres into the path of Mutch. The wideman having been at the centre of a fitness dilemma prior to the match galloped forward and won a corner kick (H.T.1-0). We turned to face the wind with the message to get closer to the Luthermuir players and to gamble a bit more in front of goal. Our first real opportunity fell to Wallace on the hour mark when Muirs keeper Howe fumbled a catch. Unfortunately Wallace had turned his back and the keeper grabbed the loose ball. This in fact turned out to be one of very few chances in the second half as Luthermuir began to boss things with the wind advantage. We were being pushed further and further back as Muir chased the equaliser. Mutch did well up the wing but appeared to injury himself when he stubbed his foot in the ground in the act of crossing the ball into the danger area. Thankfully he was ok as seconds later Webster indicated that he was struggling and would need to come off. Before that could be done Wood collapsed with cramp, which he later described as “Worse than the pain of my triple leg break”!! Possible however that his memory was playing tricks!! Hamilton went on for Wood with Mutch pulled back into defence, Wallace into midfield, R.Fulton up front Hamilton in at centre back and Young into midfield, why make only one change when 5 are far more confusing to the opponents? Young immediately got stuck in and thundered in to a number of challenges. Luthermuirs pressure finally paid off in 75 however they were well assisted by Halliburton. Skipper G.Fulton resplendent in Captains Armband moved in to clear a loose ball however Mutch had other ideas and slammed it back to his own keeper only way too hard and the ball went out for a corner kick. The script was of course completed when Muirs Scott Robertson rose to head the corner home unchallenged. With 15 mins remaining Halli started to push and did carve out a couple of chances. R.Fulton missed out on an opportunity to square a ball inside for Young then G.Fultons deep free kick was scrambled clear by the visitors rearguard. (F.T.1-1) Probably the correct result with the old “Game of two halves” never more evident. The replay will now take place in a fortnights time and no doubt Luthermuir will have their big players back, with a bit of luck Halli could also see the return of a few from injury as we have no game next weekend allowing more recovery time. Excellent display from Young who picks up Topman and great battling from Mutch who did well to last the 90 minutes.