Another big crowd turned up at Millfield last Tuesday to see the Hi Hi’s take on Coldstream in the East of Scotland League Cup quarter final. Premier Division Haddington were strong favourites to progress to the semi finals but the Borderers produced an impressive performance that belied their current position in the First Division. At one stage in the second half a shock result looked to be on the cards but the Hi Hi’s dug deep and won the tie in extra time.
There was little between the sides in the first half. Haddington came closest to opening the scoring when Guy McGarry hit the bar from close range minutes before the interval. Coldstream shocked the home side when they hit the opening goal early in the second half and what a goal it was. Windram saw his free kick from the right headed clear but he was first to the loose ball and his left foot strike from outside the box was destined for the top corner as soon as he hit it. Moments later the visitors spurned another chance when a loose ball was volleyed high over the bar from a good position. The Hi Hi’s hit back and started to dominate and Coldstream keeper Hall was fortunate to see a low shot elude him and come back off the post. Manager Scott Bonar sent on under 20s striker Riley Haston and he posed a few problems for the Coldstream defence. the equaliser arrived when Haston collected a through ball only to be upended by goalkeeper Hall. Ethan Williams scored from the spot and with no more goals, the tie moved into extra time under the Millfield lights. The home side moved ahead in the first half of extra time thanks to another spot kick. This time Ethan Williams was the player fouled after a trademark run into the box and he drew a late challenge from a Coldstream defender. Once he had recovered from the challenge, he confidently dispatched the penalty kick past Hall. Riley Haston put the match beyond Coldstream in the opening minutes of the second half of extra time when he collected the ball outside the box and his fine 25 yard shot found the bottom corner.
So the Hi Hi’s will contest their first semi final since 2018 but all credit must go to Coldstream who put in a terrific performance,
