Apart from gaining a draw with none other than Tynecastle earlier in the term, the Albert Park side have otherwise nosedived to defeat in all of their other outings.

An incredible 42 goals have been conceded in eight league games, with only six goals scored, while Royalists' cup record has been equally poor.

Blasted 6-0 by the Civil Service Strollers in their last outing the Albert are now anchored at the foot of the league table, a spot they have seen quite a lot of in recent seasons. Hawick's senior side appointed a new manager at the start of the term in former Coldstream team boss Tom Blaikie, in a bid to change the flow of the tide that had been sweeping them to a low ebb.



New players were brought in, and the coaching structure changed, but matters have remained the same – the Albert are still losing.

Talking of his side's current situation, Blaikie told the Hawick News: "Different players have been brought in during the season, and different formations have been tried. But things are not working. It's not for the want of trying because I so want to turn things around.
"Teams don't have to work hard to beat us, and we shoot ourselves in the foot by giving away bad goals. The Civil Service match is a perfect example."

Blaikie added: "I need a magic wand, but unfortunately I haven't got one. However, I am the manager and the buck stops with me. We play Tynecastle tomorrow, and I find this a bit frightening as they are unbeaten in the league and going very well."

Also speaking of the Albert's troubled times, club secretary Dougie Purves said: "When Prof Blaikie was brought in as manager the committee had high hopes that things would change. We weren't looking for miracles like jumping from the bottom of the league to the top.

"However, we were looking for an improvement, and this hasn't happened, and indeed our playing record is worse than it was last season. There was a bit of promise at one time but that's gone out the window, and our show against Civil Service was just diabolical."

Purves added: "There has been a lot of changes in personnel, and this has not been a good thing as we've never had a settled side. At present we are not even getting the basics right, and its all been very, very disappointing."

On a lighter note, Hawick United bid for silverware tomorrow when they take on Jed Legion in the final of the Wright Cup at Ancrum. United manager George Shepherd is hoping to guide his side to a triumph and he told us: "It's a big game for us, and a big occasion as well. The boys are really looking forward to playing in a cup final, and they will certainly be up for it. It would be great to bring the cup back to Hawick."