Harthill Village AFC

Markinch Royals 0 Harthill Village 4

Was one of those games where the home team were so far out of the game that theyb were lucky to get NIL. Very very one sided affair with the only disappointment being that we did not score a right few more .

Pre match was given the news that Gaz has decided to give it a go with the Juniors at Steelend and we wish the big man well but by the same token hope that he will return this season at some point .

Squad of 18 - all except Lee .

After scoring very early it was clear that it was only a matter of time and for the rest of the game we created chance after chance .Broony got the first from a free kick . Before half time big Wully headed us 2 up - yes - not a typo it was a header ! Then Craigy got the 3rd before half time .

Second half was target practice but miraculously we only added another from Craigy .

Im not going to do a separate assessment this week as it was so one sided but I will comment that Mark Brown came on second half and made a very big impression in the centre of defence .

On to Round 3 and the mouth- watering tie against FC Shamrock from Dundee .Guaranteed to be a big crowd for that one .November 18 .

Before then we have 2 trips to Bathgate ,firstly against Livi Utd in the Knockout Cup then against Shotts in the League .

Livi Utd is a 10.30 kick off so players should report to Bathgate no later than 930 .

Already missing Spade and Dug and possibly Bingo - any centre halves out there ?? lol

In discussions with a couple of guys at the moment about joining the ranks , details will be posted should we get these sorted out .

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On the face of it a very straightforward 3 points in the League but that is entirely due to a collective effort from some of the guys who have not being playing regularly .

Missing - Basher ( away playing Soldiers ) lol

Spade - injured yesterday

Gaz - suspended

Broony- away for weekend

Dug - injured

Marky - working

We didnt always play great today but there was a desire to get the 3 points and that attitude is vital if we are going to achieve anything this year .

I normally give an assessment of each players performance but this week it was far more about the team effort and as I team I reckon we achieved 6 or 7 out of 10 .

That said it was be absolutely wrong not to make mention of a couple of guys who have been out injured and played next to no football this season .

Blacky came straight in at centre half and never put a foot wrong .Can be well chuffed with his comeback game and Mainsy who also went straight into the team in centre midfield and played very very well .

I shall mention only one other player individually and that is Bingo who I thought was magnificent today - has always been competitive but is now playing far more calmly and is extremely effective for it .

Goalscorers were the usual suspects in Deano 4 ,Craig ,Buntsy and Stevie .

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Gutted that game is off tomorrow - was really looking forward to it . Now scheduled for next Sunday 21st .

Coming to a very important part of the season with loads of big games coming up so it is vital that we get the training started lads .Im not concerned about the general fitness levels but there are loads of things we can work on to keep the team tight as a unit .

Everyone should report to St Kentigerns for a half seven start on Monday night . £3 a head to cover the cost . No excuses please .

The more we put into this guys the better chance of a reward at the end .

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Hopefully have a decent squad for the trip to Fife .

18 on Sunday and we add Dug ,Basher and new signing Mikey Gray but Gaz will serve his one match ban for Sundays red card .

Still trying to confirm numbers and sort transport .Details will be sent out tomorrow .

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Superb performance against a very decent side .From first whistle we were attempting to play the right way with some excellent passing .Just the final ball evading us . After a terrific cross from Duncy ,Deano headed us in front and there only looked like being one winner .Craig Arthur slotted a cracking second before half time . A fantastic passing move early in second half carved Poznan open and Broony slotted the third -wi a wee bit of help from their big keeper mind you . Deano made it 4 and game was finished .Gaz managed to get himself a second yellow and walked but Poznan were only able to get one back and even a man short we could have added to our tally .

Overall a very encouraging display and great 3 points .Improving all the time lads - keep it going .

Asbo -  Made a couple of superb stops - 8/10

Scott - much more assured performance from young Scott - learning all the time .7/10

Bingo - did a fine job on the big striker who was a real handful - 7/10

Spade - Organised everything at the back -always tries to play from the back - 7/10

Broony - wee man was on fire all day - terrified the full back ,linked up the play but also defended brilliantly - this is why I signed Broony - with correct focus a terrific player - best game in a Harthill jersey - 9/10

Stevie - Just gets better and better for us ,tireless in midfield but composed in possession - fine display 7/10

Gaz - top player who makes us tick - silly first yellow ultimately cost him - 6/10( one off for getting sent off lol)

Duncy - wont keep repeating myself but first class again . 7/10

Wully - never flustered and defended when required as well as supporting the front 2 - 6.5/10

Craig - another fine performance from the wee man - great finish for his goal . 7/10

Deano - always a handful for any defence and grabbed another 2 - unlucky not to get the hatty 7/10

Buntsy - replaced Craig and unlucky not to score - played well 6/10

Timothy- battled for every ball and drove forwrad regularly - big push to start on Sunday - very good player 6/10

Lee - returned from injury and did well - caught a wee bit at the goal we conceded but can be pleased with his return - 5/10

Billy - went on late and never put a foot wrong - very steady 5/10

Marky - also went on late and on the "wrong" side but very very positive going forwrad ,could have had a couple of goals as well - 5/10

Not used - Mainsy and wee Buntsy .

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After the disappointment of a wash out last Sunday against Stirrup it was good to get a wee run about on Monday night against the Juniors . Despite having no keeper ,even including big Ally who was  nowhere near fit and gave away the 2 goals it was encouraging to have 16 guys available despite the torrential rain . Sandy Thomson had a wee half hour for us and is keen to sign after his 2 match ban is up .

Kenny Park has decided that he wants to play Junior and I certainly wish Kenny well . The offer he got  was too good to turn down .

Jamie Lawrence has also been in touch to let me know that he is ready to start back after the injury which has kept him out for more than a year .

A change of job also means that Calzo will be available on Sundays .

Mikey Gray has indicated that he will be signing and that being the case we have a very strong squad of 25 . It is going to be difficult to keep 25 players involved but we will play it by ear and see how it progresses .

This Sunday we travel to Bathgate Sports Centre to face Livi Inn Poznan who are a very capable side and are likely to give us our hardest test of the season so far .We need to be right on it tomorrow guys as this now starts a run of very competitive games in 2 cups and the League .

Unfortunately Basher is unavailable and Blacky injured however he is getting close to a return .

Squad for tomorrow is 

Asbo Bingo Spade Scott Dug Lee Billy Mark

Broony Timothy Calzo Duncy Gaz Stevie Wully Wee Buntsy Mainsy

Buntsy Craigy Deano 

20 total .

Players should be at Bathgate no later than 2pm .

Mon the Village !!

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Weather not looking great for this Sunday with the game scheduled for Craigswood which is murder at the best of times .However we need to expect that it will be on until we hear otherwise .

This Sunday we will be missing Asbo who is away for the weekend ,Craig Arthur who is also away ,Mainsy,Lee and Blacky are injured ,Mark Brown is working .Mikey will complete his registration in time for next Sunday against Poznan.

We will have Broony in goal and we have Dug back from holiday .It is vital that everyone else turns up as this is possibly the smallest squad we have had this season .

I intend checking Greenrigg tomorrow in case Craigswood is unplayable and hopefully the game can be switched if necessary.

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The Schedule here has now been updated to show all of the fixtures for the next 3 months . 

Some big games in there guys!!

Mon the Village !!

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