After victories over Dunbar United and Leith Athletic in the first two rounds of the South Challenge Cup, the Hi Hi’s were rewarded with another home tie in the last 64 with Lowland League side, Spartans, providing the opposition at Millfield last Saturday. Having played two tier 5 sides, Deveronvale and Brechin City, earlier this season, Haddington were keen to test themselves against another side from this level. Unfortunately home manager Scott Bonar was without several regulars through injury and suspension, and this proved to be a big handicap against a side who were second only to Bonnyrigg Rose in the Lowland league. A crowd of over 300 saw the visitors pin the home side back in the opening exchanges but the Haddington defence held firm. Watson and Jones tried hard to get their side a foothold in the game but visiting goalkeeper Carswell was rarely troubled. The city side made the break through on the half hour mark. Seamus Russell lost possession on halfway and when the ball was quickly played through, Brown was taken out by Dale Cornet after he beat the goalkeeper to the ball. Henderson scored from the spot and Cornet was unable to continue and was replaced by Robbie Stirling. Guy McGarry came close to equalising in the second half when he blocked a clearance from Carswell but his effort landed on top of the net when a cut back to Hill might have been a better option. Spartans made sure of a place in the fourth round when Brown beat Stirling with a low drive in the 68th minute. The home side tried hard to get back into the match and substitute Aaron Congalton almost pulled one back but his 20 yard drive was just inches wide. A disappointing outcome for the Hi Hi’s but they stuck to their task throughout a competitive ninety minutes. Promotion remains the key objective at Millfield this season.
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