Following their controversial midweek defeat by Broxburn, the Hi Hi’s faced a tough assignment last Saturday when they travelled to Midlothian to meet Penicuik Athletic, managed by former Haddington boss Stevie McLeish. McLeish almost led his side to the Premier League championship last season, only losing out on goal difference to Tranent Juniors. Once again there was a healthy visiting support to back the team, who found the Penicuik Park playing surface a different proposition to what they are used to at Millfield. The heavy surface certainly wasn’t conducive to silky soccer and the match would go into the ‘instantly forgettable’ category. There were few highlights in the opening half and it looked as though it would end goalless but a long ball down the right caught the visitors out and after a scramble in the box the ball broke to a home player who beat Cornet with a low shot.
The Hi Hi’s pushed forward after the break in search of the equaliser but Penicuik were always dangerous when they broke away. The visitors came up against a strong Penicuik defence and failed to create many opportunities. Both McGarry and Auriemma forced good saves from Leiper in the home goal and Russell came close with a long range effort but Penicuik’s first half strike ended up being the only goal of the game.
Blackburn United provide the opposition in a Premier League match at Millfield this Saturday and they will provide stiff opposition. They have been regulars in this league for the past few seasons and like recent visitors, Broxburn, will be hard to breakdown. As Haddington are finding, there are no easy games in this division and you have to be at the top of your game each week. Another interesting ninety minutes is in prospect but with strikers Shaun Hill and Guy McGarry both gaining match fitness after injury, home hopes are high that the points will remain at Millfield.
