17 Players were eventually on hand at Monymusk after hurricane winds had made the trip out there difficulty. Trees had fallen all over the place and 6 of our players were late arrivals. When everyone did arrive Webster went through and failed a fitness test. Player Manager Marlow decided on a spectator roll and so 15 were left to choose from. Scott Marlow was in goal, Mutch, G.Fulton, Young & Duncan in defence. Wallace, R.Fulton, Morgan and Simpson formed the midfield and Laing was paired with Jacques in attack. On the bench were MacDonald, Ellis, West and Hamilton. Wood had called off earlier with suspected cracked ribs. As play commenced the wind surged across the park and Halliburton found themselves behind after a few minutes. A ball in from the right held up and deceived G.Fulton and Young in the middle. It fell sweetly for an attacker who put the home side in front. After 20 it was Halli’s turn to have the luck of the wind when an attempted Musk clearance blew back right towards their own goal. The ball swerved back into the 6 yard box and Laing collected, turned but screwed his well stuck shot miles past the post. Wallace had a half chance at the back post moments later but his off balance effort sliced wide. Laing had a second opportunity when he took it upon himself to fire in a free kick from 25yards, unfortunately it is still going after catching in the wind it was last seen flying over John a’Groats. Sct Marlow produced a good stop with his feet when a Monymusker cut inside. Duncan who had required treatment earlier after G.Fulton collided with his nose, did well to rise and head away a right sided raid. Monymusk continued to press and doubled their lead on the half hour. Sct Marlow made a hash of a goal kick which was collected on the half way line by a home player. From this position Halli had ample opportunity to defend this attack however Young was too far off his man leaving Wallace with 2, he was then caught in no mans land and a neat chip pass picked out an attacker all on his own who gratefully controlled and shot past Sct Marlow. At this point it was Morgan versus Monymusk with the diminutive midfielder head and shoulders above the rest when it came to commitment. He was getting about the park and trying in vain to lift his team mates. (H.T.2-0) With literally seconds of the second half played the cup tie was effectively over when we fell 3 behind. Young and Morgan initially did ok blocking an attacker but the ball rolled invitingly into space and from 30-35 yards out Monymusks Cruden met it and exploded a drive into the top corner. Halli were stunned and now had a mountain to climb. Again it was Morgan who looked the most likely to claw us back into the match, but in the main he was scrapping alone as Halli produced nothing of any substance. We were being bossed out of it and in 67 made a double substitution. MacDonald went on in central midfield and West went up front to join a 3 man attack along with Laing and R.Fulton. We went to 3 at the back with Mutch pushed forward wide right. Nothing was going to alter this one not even the introduction of Hamilton which allowed Young to be moved up front in place of R.Fulton. We never came close to pulling a goal back and homeside Monymusk ran out very worthy winners. (F.T. 3-0). A very poor display from Halliburton, spineless in truth. Only Tony Morgan came near the standard reached the previous week. He was in a minority of one and easily picked up the Hallitopman award. Difficult to explain how a meeting of two sides can have such a differing outcome, after Halli lamped Monymusk 6-1 only a few weeks ago! Total credit to the home side who thoroughly deserved to progress in this cup competition.