Inverkeithing made their first visit to Millfield for the first InterConference fixture last Saturday and returned to Fife with all three points, with the home side feeling a bit aggrieved. With only ten minutes played, the referee adjudged young Seamus Russell’s challenge as a last man offence and sent him off, leaving the home side to play 80 minutes with ten men. The first half ended goalless but the visitors moved ahead within the opening minutes of the second half. The lead only lasted six minutes when home substitute Simpson was fouled in the box and Auriemma levelled from the spot. The Hi Hi’s were showing their fighting qualities and the referee had to show several yellow cards for some over robust challenges from the Fifers. There were only six minutes remaining when Auriemma was fouled in the visitors half and his attempt to take a quick free kick was thwarted by an opponent, two yards away, who broke downfield. The home side expected the referee to bring play back but he allowed the break to continue and penalised home defender King who tangled with an opponent in the box. Inverkeithing took advantage of the resultant spot kick and left the Hi Hi’s pointless for a second successive match.
These two defeats have been a setback for Haddington’s promotion hopes and the games don’t get any easier with a visit to high flying Edinburgh United on Saturday followed by a visit from Conference B runaway leaders, Tynecastle. The next two weeks could define the Hi Hi’s season and they can’t afford many more hard luck stories.
