We welcomed Dunbar United to Millfield on Saturday, keen to put the disappointment of the previous weekend’s away defeat against Preston Athletic behind us. Prior to the Premier Division match, there was a minute’s silence in tribute to our former manager, George Bowmaker, who sadly died recently.
In the third minute of the match, Gary Windram drove into the box, and his shot using the outside of his boot, from 15 yards out, found the back of the net.
On nine minutes, Dunbar drew level, from a clinical shot from the penalty spot by Conner Duthie, after a foul by Conor Power.
Around 24 minutes, a cross from Aaron Ewins, playing in an unfamiliar attacking role, floated into the far side post, before Ryan Cameron headed into the Dunbar side netting. Soon after, a couple of free kicks were aimed into the Haddington penalty box. Jamie Smith punched clear the first effort and dived down low for the second, to save from 20 yards.
After 30 minutes of play, there were attempts on goal at both ends of the pitch. Luke Kennedy saw his free kick from just outside the box soar over United’s bar. Then at the other end, a 20-yard blast by Daniel Hall was well over the bar. Into the 34th minute Aaron Ewins heels were clipped as he closed in on goal in the penalty box, with the referee pointing to the spot. Up stepped Tom Davies to score his fifth league match penalty of the season, with the ball hitting the net via the keeper’s right-hand post.
Seven minutes into second half saw the Dunbar goalkeeper push a great Tom Davies effort round the post for a corner. On 58 minutes, Dunbar created a couple of efforts from outside the box, both of which were blocked by the Hi Hi’s defence. Then, from a consecutive throw-in, a ball into the box from Dean Whitson, found a Dunbar player, but his header went over the bar. From the goal kick, the ball was played into the Dunbar box, where Hamilton made a great save/block from Ewins. Ryan Cameron and Aaron Ewins then went close with efforts, before Dunbar had a couple of chances which were either saved by Jamie Smith or blocked by the home defence.
There was drama on 71 minutes when the referee showed a red card to the Dunbar manager, Darren Smith, who appeared to disagree with a decision made by the whistler. On 75 minutes, The Seasiders’ Bob Berry went past Gary Windram, before his pass found substitute Jason Craig who made no mistake in levelling the match from close range. With six minutes left, Dunbar were awarded a free kick just outside the box. However, the attempt was well over the Haddington bar. The away side would rue that miss, as on 85 minutes Haddington took the lead for the third time. Slack play from Gordon Harris saw Cammy Graham take control of the ball. He then raced into the Dunbar box, rounded the keeper and shoot what would prove to be the winner into an empty net.
