Haddington manager Scott Bonar was without quite a few regulars last Saturday when Edinburgh University visited Millfield for the first time. The students haven’t found life in the top tier of the East of Scotland league easy since their relegation from the Lowland League last season, but, although they’ve only won one league game most of their defeats have been by the odd goal. So given the absences in the home squad no one at Millfield was expecting an easy ninety minutes.
Team boss Bonar brought youngsters Aaron Ewins and Wilson Ngomo into his starting line up and there was a recall for Ali Simpson. Striker Grant Rose also returned after suspension. There was little between the sides in the opening forty five minutes with neither goalkeeper overworked. Haddington were more to the fore after the interval and Wilson Ngomo missed an early chance after being put through by Luke Kennedy. The Uni defended well and restricted the home side to few chances. Ali Simpson picked up a knee injury and was replaced by Mikey Robertson and Robbie Peffers came on to replace Joe Tait. A good run by Peffers opened up the visitors defence but his low ball eluded his teammates. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 78th minute and it was Aaron Ewins, newly turned 18, who collected a pass from Gary Windram and drove an 18 yard shot low into the net. In the closing minutes Haddington looked set to be awarded a penalty when Luke Kennedy was fouled in the box but the referee thought otherwise. Given the number of players missing this was a good performance from the home side, who had no failures, and the three points moves them up to fourth place in the league.
