Conditions were far from ideal when Haddington entertained LTHV in a Premier Division match at Millfield last Saturday. Despite the poor weather, a crowd of almost 200 turned up to see what was expected to be a tough contest. Lothian Thistle HV arrived at Millfield in a confident mood having been on an impressive run, winning away to league leaders Linlithgow Rose the previous week, and they started strongly taking the lead in the 2nd minute. An all too familiar start for the Hi Hi’s in recent matches ! The home side set about turning things around and in the remainder of the first half, they played some of their best football of the season to date. They quickly restored parity when Guy McGarry headed in a corner kick from the left. The home side were playing with confidence and it was no surprise when Ethan Williams pounced on a rebound to put his side ahead in the 30th minute. Then on the stroke of half time skipper Gabri Auriemma rounded a fine move by netting with a low shot.
Ross King had a glorious chance to extend the home lead early in the second half after substitute Lucas McGarry was impeded in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Lothian goalkeeper Swain saved the ensuing penalty kick. An almost identical foul on McGarry by the same player presented Haddington with a second spot kick. On this occasion the kick was entrusted to Zach Szemis but he also saw his kick saved. Skipper Auriemma eventually put the result beyond doubt when he finished off a flowing move with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Shell shocked Lothian conceded a fifth when some quick thinking from Dylan Tait saw him beat Swain from all of 25 yards.
