FPC 2 Erin Hibs 4

However, the side was hampered with the losses of both Gardiner and Ramage, although Anderson was welcomed back from a spell in Ibiza to claim his starting place on the left of midfield. Long term absentee Wilson, as well as Pettigrew, Clark and Mullen also missed out, to give the Lanarkshire side a somewhat depleted squad from the numbers seen earlier in the season.

Pather man David Fraser, who, as a result of a steward’s enquiry, has yet to score this season, chose to play Farmer in goals, with Mitchell, J.Hendry, and Hepworth across the back, with Speedie infront of the defence. Galloway, O’Neill, Cunningham, Anderson made up the midfield right to left, with Lynas and Miller up front.

The game started fairly evenly, with neither side creating much in the way of clear cut chances. Midway through the first half however, that was to change, with first of all a neat finish, exposing FPC’s back line, then a dangerous cross resulting in an own goal by John Hendry, to put FPC 2-0 down within the first half an hour. FPC’s best chance came when Lynas hit the bar from close range, and Miller fizzing just over from what had to be at least 45 yards. Or 4.5… This reporter suggests attending FPC’s next fixture to make your own mind up.

Anyway, worse was to come when FPC fell 3 behind, Mitchell claiming there was a foul in the build up, not spotted by the referee, and his shiny new whistle, as yet, still unused. With that, half time was signalled and FPC had some serious work to do in the second half.

After the interval, Barry Lynas was introduced to partner brother Joe, Boyd replaced Anderson, and the younger of the two Hendry brothers, although his name escapes me, came on to play… somewhere. These changes had an immediate impact… As FPC fell 4-0 Behind. The less said about that goal the better, comments on a postcard to Ross Mitchell if you wouldn’t mind.

As the last 20 minutes approached, FPC gave themselves a lifeline, with two scrappy goals from first Hepworth, who’s original shot was going via Wishaw, before taking the slightest of deflections to beat the keeper. Honest. Second was from Barry Lynas, who bundled the ball in, after a mistake by the goalkeeper.

This set up a grandstand finish for a match that was starting to turn ugly, as one mulleted footballer will testify. However, the situation was rectified, and with him off the park, the ugliness of the visiting side diminished significantly.

Sadly for FPC the goals couldn’t be found, and the unbeaten run is over, however, Fraser will be hoping to start a new run with the trip to Airdrie the following week.