THE Hi Hi’s appeared to be in good shape ahead of their East of Scotland Cup second-round tie on Saturday, having picked up 10 points in four league outings and strung together a run of three straight clean sheets.
Easthouses Lily hadn’t been finding things too easy after a bright start to South Division life in their first season as juniors and on paper Haddington were strong favourites. The pitch passed a 9am inspection but conditions were certainly soft underfoot, though it was clear and dry overhead if on the chilly side at the exposed Newbattle Complex.
Hi Hi’s manager Johnny Harvey was unavoidably detained elsewhere, assistant Grant Dick taking charge for the day, and three changes to the starting XI brought recalls for Ricky Miller, James McPartlin and Michael Fairnie, while Danny Noon was available for the first time in a while and was listed as a substitute.
Having gone not far short of five hours’ play without conceding a goal, Hi Hi’s keeper Liam Amos was dismayed to concede the opening goal only three minutes in, Elliot curling a shot in from just inside the box after Andy Forbes slipped and the striker found himself one-on-one.
Chris Inglis shot wide a few minutes later with the visitors’ first effort, Sean Martin stabbed a shot goalwards following a short corner and McPartlin was thwarted by a fine stop from Hay in the home goal. Plenty of possession fell Haddington’s way but Easthouses were dogged and hard-working, preventing the Hi Hi from making an impression in the home penalty area.
Paul Devlin’s 20-yard drive went narrowly past with half an hour gone and before half-time Martin put a shot over before Bob Berry hit another wide. Although unable to peg Lily back in the first half, there were sufficient positive signs to suggest Haddington could turn things around after the break.
Arran Ponton replaced the injured Martin at half-time. On 50 minutes, Amos prevented Lily from doubling their lead with a terrific save, pushing a close-range headed effort from under the bar and out for a corner.
Otherwise it was becoming a bit of a slog before Ponton came close on 59 minutes, his shot sailing just over the bar, and then disaster struck four minutes later when Easthouses netted a second goal. Haddington conceded possession in midfield and the hosts quickly broke forward – Amos came out to the edge of his box in an attempt to clear the ball but kicked it off Elliot, who was quickest to react when it fell nearby, guiding it into the unguarded net.
A Berry header was cleared off the line amid claims it was a goal and with 14 minutes left Ponton’s angled shot beat the keeper but went just past the post as the Hi Hi made an undignified exit from the competition.
This Saturday’s card sees Haddington at Oakley United’s Blairhall Park for the first time since 1996, for their first meeting of the season with the Fifers. Oakley posted a fine 4-1 win in the Junior Cup at Bathgate on Saturday and will have their tails up – Haddington players will be seeking to make amends for last week’s disappointment.
Off the field, the transfer was completed last Friday of Kayne Paterson to Tranent Juniors, just four months after the ex-Edinburgh United man signed on at Millfield.