 Div 1
League Match
Reviews
by Steve (COV)
Match 26
Aberdeen 5 Arbroath 2
Jamie McGrath scored for Aberdeen in the opening minute of the game. After just fifteen minutes, Angus Gunn (Arbroath) was replaced between the posts by Max Boruc, before he could make any more mistakes. On the half hour, he was followed off the pitch by Distinctly Minty, to be replaced by Adam Richman. Michael Beale doubled Aberdeen’s lead early in the second half, but despite being hopelessly outclassed, Arbroath fought their way back into the game with goals from Adam Richman and Leighton McIntosh. Parity only lasted ten minutes before Joe Miller put Aberdeen back in front, and Jamie McGrath rounded off the game with two late goals to record a hat-trick.
Albion Rovers 1 Clyde FC 0
Albion Rovers had two heroes here: striker Jim Jeffries who scored the winning goal, and at the other end, goalkeeper Gracie who made nine saves to keep a clean sheet. With defeats elsewhere for the two teams immediately above them, Albion climb into third place. Clyde did everything they could to try and beat Gracie, but to no avail, and he quite rightly picks up MotM.
Alloa Athletic 2 Fraserburgh 0
Fraserburgh’s forwards were kept under tight control by Alloa’s man-to-man-marking, and it wasn’t until the second half that the visitors got a shot in. Not that Alloa did much better, they only had three shots themselves in the first half. But as the game progressed, Alloa had more opportunities, and substitute Kieron Offord scored twice to give them the win.
Celtic 0 Hearts 3
A dreadful start to the match for Celtic: Yutaro Oda and Hector Gorgie both scored for Hearts, in addition to which Callum McGregor was sent off for dissent, all in the first ten minutes. A further six yellow cards followed from this strict referee, four of them for Celtic, two for Hearts. Gorgie scored again in the second half to make it three-nil Hearts.
Edinburgh 0 Livingston 4
Edinburgh started the match just three points behind Livingston, and a win by just one goal would have taken them above their opponents in the table. While Gordon Banks is still fit, they put out their best team, but were rocked when Ched Rashford and Bruce Anderson both scored for Livingston in the opening quarter of an hour. Joel Nouble and Graeme Souness made it four-nil before the end of the game.
Greenock Morton 0 Rangers 3
Rangers had a slow start to the season, losing three of their first four games, but have since been climbing steadily up the table. They started this game in sixth place, and move up to fourth with their ninth win of the season. The scorers were Danilo, Dessers and Raskin. But spare a thought for poor Greenock, the season is now halfway through, they have played every team in division one, and they are still waiting to meet a team they can beat.
Inverness 0 St.Johnstone 5
Two goals for Geddy Lee, and one each for Cammy MacPherson, Tonton Zola Moukoko and Ally McCoist gave the league leaders a five-nil lead before half time. St.Johnstone killed the game off at that point, and with just one forward for each side in the second half, five-nil remained the final score. St.Johnstone have won twelve of their fifteen games so far this season, three more than any other team.
Motherwell 1 Raith Rovers 0
Five of Motherwell’s best players were on the bench at the start of the match, as were four of Raith’s. Motherwell made three substitutions at half time, and started to dominate the match. Even when Raith made their own substitutions fifteen minutes later, Motherwell continued to dominate, and there was something inevitable about Jimmie Dale Gilmour’s winning goal in the 66th minute. Motherwell then closed the game down and hung on to their lead until the final whistle.
Match 27
Albion Rovers 2 Aberdeen 4
At the start of the match, just two points separated Albion Rovers in third place and Aberdeen in second. Aberdeen made a better start, Michael Beale opened the scoring for them halfway through the first half, and Martin Stephenson added a second shortly after the interval. Rubes soon pulled one back for Albion, and when the clock reached 75 minutes, they were inspired to press for the equaliser. Jim Jeffries got that equaliser with six minutes remaining, but with Albion still leaving massive holes at the back, that was time enough for Jamie McGrath to score two more goals for Aberdeen (his fourth and fifth goals of the day) to give them a four-two win.
Arbroath 0 Alloa Athletic 3
The first half hour came and went with just two shots, both of them for Arbroath, but no goals. Alloa were the first to make a change, and they brought on Kieron Offord in place of Luke Rankin. The sub got Alloa’s first shot, and with it their first goal, then it was Arbroath’s turn to make some changes. On came Max Brouc to keep goal and Adam Richman down the wing, but to no great effect. Alloa made a second substitution (Max Headroom coming on) and Jerry Armstrong scored with their second shot of the match. A third Alloa substitution (Dave Tiko) was quickly followed by their third goal from Kieron Offord (his second of the game, and fourth of the day).
Clyde FC 5 Celtic 2
A great start for Clyde, with Lautaro Martinez opening the scoring in the eighth minute, but four minutes later Celtic were ahead, thanks to Hyeongyu Oh and Daizen Maeda. The lead swung back to Clyde with goals from Marko Arnautovic, and a second for Martinez. After that they didn’t look back, Nicolo Barella and Arnautovic increasing their tally to five.
Fraserburgh 3 Edinburgh 4
Miracles do happen! A few days ago, Edinburgh’s manager was in despair, but now he must be smiling. Three goals in the first quarter of an hour, from Elie Youan, Frank McAvennie and Joe Cole were very much against the run of play, but no less welcome for that. Fraserburgh fought back, Tom Marquand scoring twice and Pedri once to level the match before half time. A red card for Sergei Busquets (Fraserburgh) did much to reduce the home team’s advantage, and they pretty much surrendered after Youan scored his second goal, and Edinburgh’s fourth.
Hearts 3 Greenock Morton 2
The final score was Lawrence Shankland 3, Greenock Morton 2. Okay, so Shankland wasn’t on his own, he had ten team-mates on the pitch as well, but he monopolised the scoring with his hat-trick, and collected MotM for effectively winning the game for Hearts. Dion Neon and Lapain both scored for Greenock, but it wasn’t enough.
Livingston 2 Inverness 0
Livingston clearly wanted a win from this game, while Inverness, who started the day with twice as many points as their hosts, would have been happy with a draw. Kurtis Guthrie scored twice to ensure that it was Livingston who got their wish. With two wins this weekend, Livingston have clawed their way out of the relegation zone.
Rangers 3 Motherwell 2
Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring for Rangers. But Motherwell reached the interval ahead, thanks to Sean O’Hannigan and Erik Sula. With half an hour to go, the visitors closed the game down and tried to hang on to their one-goal advantage (as they had done successfully in the earlier match). But Todd Cantwell and Dessers (again) put paid to that idea, and Rangers finished the game three-two winners. Dessers may only be second on the leaderboard, but he has a remarkable 80% shot success so far this season, none of the other leading scorers has a success rate above 70%.
St.Johnstone 7 Raith Rovers 6
Starting the day in third place, Raith Rovers were unafraid to take the game to the league leaders. And what a game it proved to be, thirteen goals in total! Raith led at half time, but once St.Johnstone had overturned that lead, they always had their nose just in front. Geddy Lee scored a hat-trick for St.Johnstone (five in total this weekend), while the division’s leading scoring, Luther Blissett, only managed two for Raith.
 | |  Div 2
League Match
Reviews
by David (HIB)
Match 26
HEADLINES: New leaders Stenhousemuir take over at the top - Ayr still waiting for a 3 pointer.
Game of the Session!!
Hamilton Accies 1-4 Stenhousemuir
Accies (1st place) took on 2nd placed Stenhousemuir in this top of the table clash, and the result means the teams swap positions. The scoreline was a bit flattering to Stennie as the Accies outshot them in the game, but the away forward’s finishing was a lot more clinical. It was the home team who scored first, after only 9 minutes, through Harris, a lead they kept till a minute from the break. At that point Hungary punished a shot pushed out by keeper Fulton. The 2nd half belonged to MOM man Brazil, who scored a hat trick with goals in the 53rd, 55th, and 85th minutes. Stennie take the top for now…
Ayr United 1-2 Dumbarton
When you are bottom nothing ever seems to go well for you, and again here today were it not for Cobden’s 4 saves for Dumbarton (earning him the MOM award) the points might very well have stayed at Somerset Park. Willock actually opened the scoring for the home team on 33 minutes only for Hamilton to volley home a shot that Albinson only partially cleared. A change to Early Cross at the interval allowed the Sons more attack options second half and just after the hour mark Crouch nipped the ball home with a crisp shot. Lots of action and effort from United but they remain winless and bottom, Dumbarton up one place to 4th.
Nairn County 0-2 Stranraer
In an very evenly fought game Stranraer created a surprise in taking all 3 points away home to Stair Park. 4th placed Nairn just couldn’t get enough shots on Rivers to make a difference, although with 2 saves, Rivers gained the MOM award. Stranraer with the 3 points stay 9th but are well in contention with the teams above, and are only 2 points behind their opponents today. Coulston gave them a lead in the 1st half on 39 minutes and Verity cemented the 3 points with his strike 7 minutes from the end.
Elgin City 2-0 St Mirren
14th v 15th here and a chance for either side to make a move away from the relegation zone. Elgin won this well, creating a 5-1 shot total, and move up to 12th with the win. Halfway through a slow moving first half Taylor took charge of the ball, raced forward and despatched it into the far corner for a home half time lead. With Saints hardly moving up a gear second half, it was no surprise when, just after the hour mark, a Hester shot was parried out by keeper Martinez, only for Wright to send it straight back behind him.
Airdrieonians 0-1 Clydebank
The Diamonds used up a few 2nd stringers and went to a 90 minute stall after their Cup Final exertions midweek. Bankies found themselves with a lot of the play accordingly but only had a 31st minute goal from Portugal to show for their 3 created shots. Clydebank move up 2 slots to 6th whilst the home team drops one place to 14th.
Cove Rangers 5-1 Falkirk
Falkirk stalled all the first half and although reverting to Normal after the break, it was too late for them to get anything tangible for this game. Lowly Cove destroyed the Bairns in a 1st half of attacking football, with Jitonio earning the MOM award with his 4 goal haul from the match. After Yousaf (20) and Jitonio (21 & 33) gave the wee Rangers a nice 3 goal cushion, Saints did rally enough for Shanley to pull one back on 36 minutes. Straight from the kick off Jitonio scored his 3rd and Cove’s 4th goal. The 2nd half was less frenetic and had only the MOM player scoring his 4th with 10 minutes to play. What started as 12th v 6th now reads 11th v 8th.
Dundee 1-1 Hibernian
A dour game with few shots and both teams happy to defend and attack on a break – indeed both teams used a marker to watch over an opponent. The first half had no action to speak of, and the game only burst into life a minute after the restart when Tiffoney slipped the ball to Cameron to put the home lads a goal up. The lead lasted 5 minutes as a Brown defensive header was blasted home by O’Rourke for a point apiece the stats agreed with.
Annan Athletic 1-5 Cowdenbeath
I know the scoreline says 5-1 for the Blue Brazil, but Laird in the Beath goals took the MOM award as he made 7 saves. Annan were not disgraced and on a better day they could have scored more then the single one they did score. But Beath are on a roll, scoring goals for fun, whilst seemingly happy giving up shots at the other end. McMillan (11) and (Pike) Bishop (12) gave them a quick 2 goal cushion, before Horn pulled one back in the 14th minute. (Zozo) Bishop (24), McMillan (26) and Moltisanti (34) completed the scoring all in the first half. The second 45 minutes was end to end stuff but there was no more scoring. Cowdenbeath stay in 3rd place but are now a point behind Accies and 2 behind Stennie.
Session 27
HEADLINES: Stenhousemuir remain top with Hamilton on their coat tails, and watch for Cowdenbeath’s push!!
Annan Athletic 0-5 Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians bounced back after an earlier defeat and trounced their hosts by 5 clear goals. The job was made easier by a 90 minute home stall, but the result allows the Diamonds to move up a couple of spots whilst dropping Athletic to 14th. The game was won by half time after Prince (24 & 37) helped by Davis (27) gave the visitors the 3 points. Second half strikes from Gallagher (60) and Davis (81) only showed up the gap in SLs on the pitch. Goodness knows what possessed Gallagher to put in the vicious tackle straight after the last goal but he received the red card – and his team was 5 goals up at the time!!
Stenhousemuir 4-0 Stranraer
Stennie dumped Stranraer by 4 goals and maintain their new found position at the top of the division. Not that Stranraer were disgraced as they turned up with a useful squad and tried to take the game to their more lofty opponents. However the home side have the bit between their teeth now and were in no mood to let points slip. They had only Brazil’ s 23rd minute header to show for a lot of attack first half but during the second 45 minutes they managed to get through the Stair park defence far more easily. Hungary (67) and Hawthorn (69) made the points secure before Cameron torpedoed a shot through a packed defence with 13 minutes left.
Cowdenbeath 5-2 Cove Rangers
Beath maintained their high scoring tactic in this home demolishing of visitors Cove. They average 3 goals scored each game whilst conceding just over 1 goal. Today it was nice to see last season’s rookie keeper Baccalieri showing his new season promise. By the time he was subbed at half time he had conceded a goal (to Jitonio in the 36th minute which levelled the 2nd minute (Zozo) Bishop opener. After the break and the more experienced Laird between the sticks the Blue Brazil went to town to earn their points. (Pike) Bishop in the 50th minute was followed by McMillan 2 minutes later. Aberg made it 4-1 in the 69th minute then a 2 goals in a minute burst from (Pike) Bishop and a consolation 2nd strike from Jitonio with just 5 minutes to go ended the scoring. Cove created 6 shots on target, a very worth while total, and only 2 less than their hosts, but Beath are clinical in front of goals.
Hibernian 1-2 Hamilton Accies
A result that keeps Accies in 2nd place and to be honest a bit lucky to get the 3 points. Scoring from their only 2 shots Fulton in the away goals kept out the 4 Hibs shots directed at him. Having said that it was blunder in the 29th minute from Fulton that allowed Youan to shoot home the loose ball to give the home team a half time lead. De Bolle squared the match in the 69th minute before a Ferguson cross cum shot eluded everybody with 8 minutes to go and it gave the visitors a fortuitous lead. Hibs are 8th.
Clydebank 2-2 Ayr United
Ayr might not escape relegation but there is no doubting their attempts at avoiding going down. Here they again competed and probably (at least temporarily) dented the Bankies promotion drive. In fact they had a 1st half lead, courtesy of a Bryden pile driver right on the referee’s toot for the break. Second half the bankies got it together far better and keeper Albinson had to admit defeat to 2 finishes for Nevin in the 56th and 69th minutes that threatened to give United another close loss. Justice was served however when half time Willock crashed in the equaliser with 11 minutes left to play.
St Mirren 2-2 Nairn County
15th placed Saints gave their more illustrious opponents a scare here and on shots could have taken all 3 points. They in fact took the lead in the 8th minute through Ramsay but it only lasted a minute as Robeston levelled for County, who then took a half time lead after 2 Vutha shots had been kept out by Rimmer, only for Rice to convert the loose ball. It took Saints only 6 second half minutes to square the game when a Watkins cross eluded everybody including keeper Maclean and we were level again. Lots of action after wards but no more goals. Nairn now find themselves 5 points away from 4th place – Saints now 2 points from the clubs above them.
Dumbarton 4-0 Dundee
A Morris brace and one each from Doyen and Chapman gave the Sons a convincing home win and cemented their promotion push, especially in light of the points dropped by Nairn and Clydebank earlier. The scoreline doesn’t flatter them as they created a 7-2 shots advantage. DEE tried hard and created a couple of their own but they were competently dealt with by keeper Vaughan. The goals were spaced out – Doyen (20), Morris (44 & 76), and Chapman (74). Dundee stay 10th, Dumbarton stay 4th but are now 5 points clear from 5th place Nairn and Falkirk.
Falkirk 1-0 Elgin City
Falkirk’s keeper, McGregor singlehandedly allowed the home team to gain the 3 points today as he saved 6 shots from Elgin’s eager forwards. The home team created 4 shots but counted only through a Macari shot 2 minutes from the interval after a goal mouth stramash. The result moves the Bairns up to 5th equal with Nairn,’and Elgin down to 13th.
32 goals here – 27 in the previous session 😊
Summary: 6 points today for Stenhousemuir, Cowdenbeath and Dumbarton - Zero points for Annan Athletic.
Hat trick for Brazil (Stenhousemuir) but a 4 goal haul for Jitonio (Cove Rangers) – indeed he scored 6 in the 2 sessions..!!
RED Card went to Gallagher (Airdrieonians)
Top Scorer so far: Woods and McMillan (Cowdenbeath) and Jitonio (Cove Rangers) – all on 11 goals, Allen (Elgin City) 10
| |  Div 3
League Match
Reviews
by Paul (EF)
Match 26
There was a key match at the top as third-placed Brechin hosted leaders East Fife. Maybe Fran Morillo decided that this was not one to contest – certainly his line-up looked a little under par and East Fife had the better of things throughout. The Fifers went into the lead after a quarter of an hour and added another in the second half to emerge comfortable winners, 0-2. Brechin’s bid for promotion will not be helped by a red card for Hamish Thomson.
In second place, albeit eight points behind the leaders, Peterhead met Stirling at Balmoor Stadium. With only four players above SL20, Stirling were a sorry sight, and stalling didn’t do them much good as they conceded two goals in the first five minutes. To give them credit, they dug in after that and conceded only one more goal, but it was a very comfortable 3-0 win for Peterhead.
There are any number of teams looking for promotion and two of them, Deveronvale and Forfar Athletic, met at Princess Royal Park. Willy Krosnyak went for a strategy he’s employed successfully before, stalling in the first half to protect his reserve keeper, then switching to LongBall with his first choice keeper for the second half. It worked like a dream! After a goalless first half, the FOR completely bossed the show in the second, scoring three times with two for prospective golden booter Rory MacLeod. An excellent win for Forfar, 0-3.
With the top six all playing each other, we move next to seventh-placed East Stirlingshire, who were at home to Partick Thistle. The Shire were the more potent attacking force and they went into the lead after only six minutes with a neat finish from Joao Canceleo. But this was a very finely balanced match, and the Jags came back into it after half an hour with an equaliser from Roy Keane. So the teams reached half time at 1-1. Marc Legowski made two half time substitutions which rather weakened his team but East Stirlingshire were unable to create any chances. The game was decided when Keane pounced on a loose ball to score his second, and the winning goal for Partick Thistle, 1-2.
Ross County are having distinctly average season, with a 6-2-6 records, but they hoped to improve that with a visit to struggling Queen of the South. Despite home advantage, the Doonhammers struggled to get into this match. They started with Counterattacking tactics, but when they went behind after 15 minutes they switched to Longball, matching the County’s approach. On paper they were the better team, but on grass they weren’t. Rob Lye’s men worked better together and added two more goals in the second half to take the three points, 0-3.
In a close match-up, tenth men eleventh – Dundee United v. Montrose. The Tangerine Arabs were much the stronger team here and wasted no time, taking the lead in the first minute. Montrose manged to find an equalised but Dundee United immediately retook the lead and two more first half goals left them 4-1 up at half time. Mark Boland made three half time substitutions and ordered his team to stall, and though Montrose got an early goal in the second half, they were unable to make any further inroads and Dundee United emerged winners, 4-2.
Bottom club Kilmarnock were at home to Queens Park. The Killie belied their lowly placing on this occasion, turning in a very dominant performance. If only they could do this every time, they would be pushing for promotion rather than struggling to avoid the wooden spoon. The home side scored twice in each half with no reply to roll in a very comfortable and impressive 4-0 win.
Finally we’ll look at Berwick v. Dunfermline Athletic. The teams are clear of the bottom two, but not by much and so a win would be significant. Berwick had the stronger outfield , but had their reserve keeper between the sticks and this led to a topsy-turvy match. The visitors went into the lead early on and reached half time still 0-1 up. But then Derek Purvis switch to Counterattack and the BER soon equalised – and then went ahead, both goals from the boot of D_Ward. Now the Pars fought back to equalise at 2-2. It looked as if this would be the final score but with three minutes left a lovely passing movement led to M_Yardley putting Berwick ahead 3-2. The home fans were jubilant – but not for long. Straight from the kick-off, Dunfermline found a dramatic equaliser to square the match, 3-3 the final score.
Match 27
We’re into the second half of the season and leaders East Fife were at home to Dundee United, who had won their first encounter. This time the Tangerine Arabs had no such ambition, their intentions clear from their 5-4-1 Stall formation. The Fifers’ star forward, Scott Shepherd half-volleyed them in front midway through the first half and assisted in their second just after half time. Two more goals quickly followed and East Fife notched up a comfortable win, 4-0.
Second placed Peterhead travelled to Firhill to face Partick Thistle and, with a strong forward line on show, opted for Early Cross tactics. But it was the Jags who struck first through Chris Sutton. The PET pulled their socks up and this improved sartorial elegance seemed to inspire them – goals from James and Gold giving them a 1-2 half time lead. They didn’t let up, and two further goals from the same two players gave them a 1-4 victory.
Forfar Athletic have been moving steadily up the table and faced a mid-table East Stirlingshire team. Willy Krosnyak went for the by-now familiar strategy of Stalling in the first half and LongBalling in the second, but on this occasion the first half didn’t go their way and they trudged off at half time 0-2 behind. This was a game of two halves (aren’t they all?) and Forfar always look super-confident with Mark McCallum2 (SL36) between the sticks. They turned the game around but had left themselves a little to much to do. Two goals came, but they couldn’t find a winner, 2-2 the result.
Brechin City started the season with the best T11 but haven’t quite lived up to expectations, lying fourth in the table and welcoming a struggling Berwick team to Glebe Park. But today, it was Brechin who were struggling, not surprising given then their SL usage was down at 44%. Berwick dominated, scoring twice in the first half and then, having switched to CounterAttack, four times in the second, with a hat-trick for D_Banks. Brechin managed a consolation goal, small consolation in this embarrassing 1-6 defeat.
After a great start to the season, Deveronvale have slipped to fifth in the table prior to their visit toDunfermline Athletic. The Pars went for Normal tactics to counter the Vale’s Early Cross and had a strong team out, while the visitors were trying to hide their Bosman player, Bosman, in midfield. Dunfermline went one up after three minutes and though Deveronvale equalised after half an hour, the hosts immediately retook the lead to take us to half time at 2-1. The action continued in the second half with Daniel Roseblade’s extending their lead to 3-1 before two goals from Gabriel Martinelli pulled it back to 3-3 with fifteen minutes left. The game still had a goal left in it and it was Lewis May who headed the winner for Dunfermline in a most entertaining 4-3 win.
Stirling and Ross County were both on 23 points, both seeking at least a playoff spot this season and so a hard-fought match was to be expected as they met at Forthbank Stadium. The Binos’ Ball Control tactics gave them plenty of possession but left them a bit exposed at the back and after 33 tense minutes, Ross took advantage with a cool finish from Josh Sims. The fans were looking forward to the second half when, just a minute before half time Gabriel Cash saw red – both in the emotional and the literal sense – and Stirling were down to ten men. Rob Lye shrewdly strengthened his attack and the County cashed in with two second half goals to win 0-3 and rise to fourth in the table.
Two Queens met at Hampden Park - Queens Park v. Queen of the South. The Doonhammers tried CounterAttacking in the hope of snatching a goal or two on the break but after going behind in the seventh minute they abandoned this idea in favour of Long Ball tactics. However, on the day Queens Park were just too strong for them, and a second goal just before the half hour mark made it 2-0 at half time. The second half was goalless so it was Bryce Kalmbach’s team who took the points, moving into the top half of the table.
Finally, we go to Links Park where Montrose were at home to Kilmarnock. The Killie’s Opportunistic approach left them offering little in attack and Montrose made merry with their Early Cross approach. By half time it was already 4-0 and a further goal in the second half was the icing on the cake. A hat-trick for Matthew Wright in. an easy 5-0 for Montrose. And more bad news for David Campbell as Jimmy Middlemass was stretched off in the last minute with a nasty looking injury.
Summary
East Fife are still eight points clear after they and second placed Peterhead both managed 6-point Saturdays. Then there’s a six point gap to the chasers, with no less that twelve teams in contention for promotion or playoff spots. And as MSA strikes, your reporter signs off while leaving you with this table, showing current positions and post-MSA T17 rankings
| |
Position |
T17 Rank |
| East Fife |
1 |
2 |
| Peterhead |
2 |
3 |
| Forfar Athletic |
3 |
5 |
| Ross County |
4 |
4 |
| Deveronvale |
5 |
13 |
| Brechin City |
6 |
1 |
| Stirling |
7 |
12 |
| Queens Park |
8 |
7 |
| East Stirlingshire |
9 |
11 |
| Dunfermline Athletic |
10 |
9 |
| Dundee United |
11 |
10 |
| Montrose |
12 |
16 |
| Partick Thistle |
13 |
6 |
| Berwick |
14 |
8 |
| Kilmarnock |
15 |
15 |
| Queen of the South |
16 |
14 |
|
ASON AGING 
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