Haddington followed up their opening day success over Glenrothes with tough away games against Hutchison Vale at Ainslie Park in Edinburgh last Saturday and then Penicuik Athletic at Montgomery Park last night (Tuesday).
The Hi Hi’s enjoyed the better of the opening half against Hutchison Vale and should have been a couple of goals ahead at the interval. Luke Kennedy was prominent in the visitors attacks and he should have opened his Haddington goal account. The home goalkeeper caught the eye with a couple of good saves early in the second half but the home side started to hit back. As the match entered the final stages Hutchison Vale had the perfect opportunity to take the lead. Haddington goalkeeper McLellan was late with a challenge in the box but he redeemed himself when he saved the spot kick. Minutes later a high ball into the box from Ross King completely deceived the young Vale goalkeeper and it ended up in the net. Haddington deserved the three points but better finishing could have made it more convincing.
Last Tuesday the Hi Hi’s visited Penicuik Athletic who were also unbeaten after their opening two matches. The visitors made a good start and Robbie Peffers was just wide with a shot from the left and home ‘keeper Dale Cornet, facing his old side, breathed a sigh of relief. A goal was only delayed and Cornet had to pick the ball out of the net when he was beaten by a low shot from Tom Davies that went in off the far post. Penicuik gradually fought their way back into the match and they forced several corners as they looked for an equaliser. Goalkeeper McLellan kept his side ahead with a fine save, low down to his left, as Penicuik looked lively. Tom Davies came close again but his shot was inches wide. Penicuik enjoyed a lot of the play after the break but Haddington’s defence coped well with the aerial bombardment. Gary Windram and Ben Bathgate replaced Robbie Peffers and Luke Kennedy and they posed problems for the home defence. Haddington grabbed the all important second goal in the 83rd minute when Grant Rose played in Tom Davies who gave Cornet little chance with an excellent finish. This was Haddington’s first competitive victory at Penicuik since Hogmanay 1983!
