The Hi Hi saw action last Saturday for the first time in fully eight weeks at a sodden Paties Road, hoping to build on the victory earned in their last outing against the league’s other capital side Spartans.  They were without the services of regular goalkeeper Andrew Stobie, recalled temporarily by parent club East Fife, and fielded a trialist in his place.  There were starts too for long term absentees Mitch Faichney at right back, and Ross Ferguson, who partnered Marc Robertson in attack, while Jackie Myles made a welcome return in midfield after some months travelling abroad.

In the second half there were several golden opportunities for the Hi Hi to score but finding the net has been their biggest problem all season and it was the same old story yet again.  Subs John McLean and Ross Rollo both found themselves with real chances but they couldn’t take them, and Myles had a decent opening but hit his shot high and wide.  0-0 looked the likeliest result but United grabbed the three points with a goal in the sixty eighth minute after Haddington pressed the self-destruct button.  An uncharacteristic error from centre half Frazer Paterson saw him lose possession to an opponent just outside his own penalty area and the United man advanced into the box for a shot which the ‘keeper ought to have dealt with, however he could only parry it into the path of former Millfield man Mark Kelly, who finished from close range. 

While there was disappointment at the outcome of the game, this was by no means a particularly poor Haddington performance and there were quite a few positives as far as individual performances were concerned.  Until goals become less scarce however they’ll find results hard to come by.  Stoneyburn Juniors visit Millfield tomorrow, having beaten the Hi Hi in the opening league game of the season.  This is the sort of fixture Haddington must win if they’re to climb the South Division table.