A correction from last week, of course everyone knew Sid is actually Brian Little not Wilson! While on that little paternal matter another 2 ex players have been busy in that department – both Craig Johnstone and Chris Norval welcoming new borns in to the world, congrats to you and your partners. To the business side, Annan had a comfortable 2-0 home win against Montrose on Saturday, but how 8 men picked up yellow cards and another received a red card for 2 bookings in the match is unbelievable. It was not a dirty game and referees do have an unenviable task but some of them do like the power or attention given to them. Or maybe he didn’t like the purple hunting horns Mr. (James) Wield and was it young Mr.Pool took great delight in blowing; they were either trying to scare away the midgies or create a wee bit atmosphere. Off their own bat Callum Glendinning & Terry McClelland successfully raised more than £200 in a collection for the Graham Potter memorial fund. Something must have gone wrong with the abacus though; surely there was more than 476 at the game?

            On to Tuesday, Annan travelled up to the franchise that is Livingston F.C. and this time it was Annan who succumbed to a 2 nil defeat. Harry rightfully said the players could not be faulted for effort, true, they always do give 100%.We are definitely a little shot shy however, we now have 9 points from 9games with 5goals for and 6 against. You don’t need to be a football coach to know you will never score unless you fire something at the target and we don’t seem to be doing a lot of that.

            This Saturday we look forward to the “derby” visit of our friends from the west of the region Stranraer F.C. No strangers, being regular visitors to our pre season tournament, a victory would let us overtake them in to 6^th.spot. On a historical note Annan’s first ever encounter in the Scottish Cup saw them paired with Stranraer at Galabank on 15th. December 1979. A record crowd at that time of 1,250 were attracted to the match. In an enthralling match Annan was defeated 3-1 with Annan’s James “Bishop” Anderson having the honour of scoring Annans first ever Scottish Cup goal. The Annan team that day was Dick Kirkwood, Jim Beattie, Ronnie Kirk, Stuart Rome, Jimmy Fox, John Carmichael, Alan Irving, John Anderson, James Anderson, Willie Smith, and Eddie McGauchie. Subs Colin Anderson and Anthony Sibbring. 

            This Saturday is the deadline for the bus to Cove next week, in this year’s Scottish Cup. We need numbers for it to go ahead. A list is also up for East Stirling a week later. Watch this space for a charity quiz match between the Players an