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I'm beginning to think that we at Annan Athletic have a bit of a Scottish Cup jinx hanging over us.

Thinking back on our attempts to qualify for the competition over the years, before we became an SFL club, I remember far more disappointment than celebration.

In those days we used to have to qualify via the aptly named Qualifying Cup. We had to reach the semi-final stage to reach the first round proper.

When I joined the club, late in the year of 1997, we were preparing to visit Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup third round.

Although I knew I wouldn't be involved (I hadn't even played a game at that time) I was still very envious when my mates left me behind.

It was made easier as I told myself I would be involved in many a game like the Inverness one. Well, I've managed only two in my 12 years - against Brechin City in 2000 and then against Morton in 2006.

Here I am in 2009 and I'm sitting waiting for news of the when Annan Athletic's name will be missing once again.

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The long trip up to visit in the awaits us on Saturday and we are expecting a very tough match from the champions.

The manager had them watched at the weekend and we will look forward to training on Thursday night to prepare and give ourselves the best chance of progressing through this difficult fixture.

I'm sure we will be down on paper as being the favourites to win the game, but I can assure everyone that no-one within the club is taking this for granted and I have already said in a previous blog that this is a fixture we would rather have avoided.

I've been on some websites and read some articles on the game and it's certainly true that Cove see this as a chance to avenge the last year.

It'll add a bit of spice to the game and I fully expect it to be a tight encounter.

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I'm sure it was at a similar time last year when I tipped for the title after coming up against them in a 4-1 defeat away from home. As it turned out, I was proved correct and, , I'm plumping for them to be playing Second Division football next season.

This may not come as a big surprise as people will say that they are and they should have no problem with regards being promoted.

Livi still have to get the job done and will face some difficult away games throughout the season but I just can't see them dropping many points on their home turf at all in the remainder of the season.

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Well, the shock win never happened and our Alba Challenge Cup run finally ended at Dens Park on Sunday.

We played a fantastic side in the semi-final and they really do have an incredible squad at their disposal.

Obviously, we wanted to win the game but it was always going to be a difficult task and in the main we were determined not to embarrass ourselves as players or as a football club and I think we managed that.

We received a standing ovation from our supporters after the game and I think they appreciated the difficult job we faced and also the effort and commitment every one of the players put in during the game.

You should know that your support for the team was greatly appreciated and we look forward to more of the same in the coming weeks.

Looking over into the stand and seeing the Dundee players missing made me realise the extent of the challenge facing us.

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