Since ending their hoodoo against Penicuik Athletic on the first Saturday of 2024, the Hi Hi’s have slipped to three successive defeats. The latest was at Haddington last Saturday when Hutcheson Vale recorded their first ever win at Millfield. The Hi Hi’s won their first encounter of the season at Ainslie Park back in August when only a Joe Tait goal separated the sides. Since then the Edinburgh side have been on an impressive run which sees them occupy second place in the East of Scotland Premier League. Meanwhile the Hi Hi’s have struggled a bit after a promising start to the season. A run of injuries to key players hasn’t helped the Hi Hi’s cause. New signings Mark McGovern and Mikey Robertson impressed in the early stages of the season but both have been sidelined through injury since the start of September. However both were listed as substitutes last Saturday and striker McGovern has been getting match fit playing with the Under 20s in recent weeks.
Two second half goals gave Hutcheson their victory last Saturday but it might have been different if skipper Gabri Auriemma had taken a good chance when set up by recent signing Tom Davies just before the break. The visitors dominated large parts of the game and showed why they are in second place in the league, and in the end the Hi Hi’s could have few complaints with the outcome.
Manager Scott Bonnar will be looking to put three points on the board when his side visit Luncarty in a league match on Saturday. Haddington won fairly comfortably when the sides met at Millfield in August. However the Perthshire side, who look like they may make a quick return to the First Division, may see this game as a chance to get some much needed points as they fight to retain their top league status. Haddington hope to have both Robbie Peffers and Corey Robertson available again but an ankle injury may keep Keir Russell on the sidelines.
