Today we entertain Elgin City in the Scottish Cup 3rd Round, possibly 1 game away from an away draw v Celtic or Rangers that would financially set the club up to move to the next level.
Our recent form has really dropped off so I’m going back to a formation we have been training since the start of my tenure – the 4-2-3-1 Control – in an attempt to shake things up. This is our most competent formation in the eyes of my AM, and I want the Wing Play formation to be trained for a few weeks yet before giving that a go.
Elgin ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_City_F.C. ) gained league status in 2000 and have been a league 2 team ever since, with a best position of 2nd in 2015/16, where they lost to Clyde in the promotion playoffs. They have a small squad, with better players on average than Civil Service, which you would expect, but I’m hoping the long journey for Elgin and the formational shake-up on our side will work in our favour.
Back to 1-up-top with Lumsden as an AF, Mair and Burbidge on the wings, McVitie and Balfour in the middle. Murdoch steps out of the back 3 as we convert to 2 at the back, Coll & Gibb are back in more natural positions at Wing Back in the Full Back area. This formation definitely suits our players a bit better. Elgin go with the same formation as us, lets see how it pans out.
HT Civil Service 0 Elgin City 1 (Cameron, 45+1)
Elgin were quick out of the blocks, hitting the post in the 1st 30 seconds, and Civil Service were really struggling to get on the ball, but we settled in and started getting a few chances. And the game itself was looking pretty even until just before half time, when Elgin scored directly from a free kick through Cameron. We are going after them in the second half – Gegenpress 5-2-1-2 WB – Glasgow and Murdoch on, Coll & Gibb off.
FT Civil Service 1 (Churchil 81) Elgin City 1 (Cameron, 45+1) Att 216 (48 Away)
A good start to the half, and a disallowed goal from a corner for pushing. Churchill on for Balfour. And in the 81st minute the breakthrough, ping-pong in the area and Churchill was on hand to finish well. 1-1. Tails were well and truly up. But we couldn’t break through. 1-1, a replay trip to deepest darkest Moray beckons in 7 days time. But before then is the 4th round draw – lets see what we could win……
Away to League 1 Partick Thistle, 2nd in the table, Av. Attendance 3959. usually this would be worth £30/40k in gates to the opposition so could possibly wipe our debt – The replay is huge!! Only Cove Rangers & us are left of the non-league teams, and we both have replays, so lets see if we can get through for the non-league boys!! See you then!!