IN ONLY their third season in junior football, Kennoway Star Hearts paid their first ever visit to East Lothian on Saturday to meet a fellow promoted side in the Hi Hi.

Millfield boss Johnny Harvey made three changes to the team that lost at Armadale a fortnight ago – there were recalls for Gareth Thom and Wayne Sproule, while 18-year-old goalkeeper Nils Bleakley made a second start.

In perfect conditions, things started badly for the Hi Hi as the visitors were allowed to take the lead as early as the third minute – they broke forward quickly after a Haddington attack faltered and youngster Brodie Gray cut in and finished at the near post.

Recovering from the early setback, Haddington came close in the fifth minute through Kayne Paterson but Hearts keeper Sutherland brought out a good save.

It looked as if Haddington must eventually find the equaliser but as it panned out the Hi Hi’s momentum waned and the visitors remained in front at the break.

The start of the second half brought no immediate upturn in Haddington fortunes and the first close call came on the hour when Kennoway weren’t far from claiming a second goal. For the Hi Hi, Sproule got in a shot on goal from the edge of the box three minutes later but it was straight at Sutherland.

Bleakley did well to touch over a well-struck shot from Shaw but he was replaced shortly afterwards by the more experienced Amos, a late arrival, as manager Harvey looked to instil more confidence in his team.

Chris Inglis replaced Arran Ponton at the same time and the changes were vindicated within two minutes when the equalising goal finally materialised – Paterson touched the ball into the path of Fairnie, who struck home only his second Haddington goal.

One or two further chances came and went before the Hi Hi took the lead with seven minutes left, Sproule delivering a cross deep into the box from which top scorer Paul Devlin directed the ball into the net via the back of his head.

Kennoway thought they’d a good penalty shout but the well-positioned referee saw Andy Forbes’ challenge as legal, and the Hi Hi made certain of three points deep into injury time when a nice move involving Fairnie and sub Scott Wright set up Sproule for a curled shot.

In the end it was a deserved three points for Haddington, who have now won their last three home games.

Their attention now turns to the Scottish Junior Cup and a first-round tie for the first time since 2004 – they’re set to venture to Lanarkshire to face Larkhall Thistle, 10th in the West Region’s third tier. It’s expected to be tough but the Hi Hi will travel hopeful of making the second round.