Haddington last entertained Whitburn at Millfield back in 2018 when they were both playing junior football, so last Saturday’s match was their first meeting at Millfield in senior football. The sides had drawn at Central Park back in November so another close match was anticipated. Once again there was a good crowd of well over 200 inside Millfield.
Manager Scott Bonar brought back Robbie Peffers to the starting line up and he was rewarded in the 8th minute when the young midfield player pounced on a wayward header in the Whitburn box, and scored with a well placed shot. The visitors were soon chasing an equaliser and Haddington were pushed back into defence. A superb double clearance from captain Craig Reid and goalkeeper Jamie Smith, kept them in front. Minutes before the interval Wilson Ngomo made a good break up the left and Ryan Quinn was only inches away from adding a second.
In the first part of the second half, Whitburn pushed for an equaliser but came up against a strong defence ably marshalled by Reid. The Hi Hi’s added the all important second goal midway through the half. Young Aaron Ewins threw in his trademark long throw and Grant Rose netted with a superb header. Haddington continued to look dangerous and they added a third with a spectacular strike from Craig Reid. With everyone expecting him to cross a free kick on the left into the box, he found the top corner with an inch perfect shot. These goals knocked the heart out of the West Lothian side and it could have been more with Seamus Russell and substitute Tom Davies missing good opportunities.
This win takes Haddington back to fourth but they have two difficult matches left to play to complete their league campaign.
