Boosted by their first Premier League win four days earlier, when they had defeated Thornton Hibs 2-0 at Millfield, the Hi Hi visited Edinburgh United’s Paties Road last Wednesday night fairly confident they had it in them to add another three points to their early tally.

United had endured not inconsiderable turmoil over the previous two or three weeks, with a change in management late in the close season and three straight defeats starting their campaign, conceding 13 goals without scoring.

Sure enough, the visitors were on top pretty much from the outset and they found themselves ahead in the ninth minute, breaking forward before Kayne Paterson showed impressive composure deep in the box to pick his spot. Two minutes later, the lead was doubled, Paul Devlin netting from the penalty spot after Danny Noon was fouled by Dimingo.

Haddington could have been three or four up within the opening quarter of an hour had chances been taken; as it was, though, they had to wait until the 36th minute to add a third, Andrew Sinclair the scorer this time after Paterson’s progress was thwarted and the loose ball fell to Noon to set up his strike partner. United had little to offer and looked rather disjointed at best – Paterson caused their defenders regular problems and he was heavily involved in the build-up to the fourth goal on 52 minutes, scored by Sinclair after Devlin set him up.

A superbly executed free-kick from Paterson with 64 minutes played made it 5-0, the ball arcing into the top corner from 25 yards, and a second Devlin penalty with 20 minutes left rubbed more salt into United’s wounds – Sinclair was brought down by keeper Swinburne, who was red-carded and replaced by left-back Kesson, formerly a goalkeeper with Dalkeith Thistle.

With light fading, Sinclair completed his hat-trick three minutes from time, Bob Berry providing the cross from the right – by no means did the 7-0 scoreline flatter the Hi Hi, who won’t encounter opposition as weak as United again this season.

On Saturday, Haddington paid their first visit to Dundee since 2002 and their first ever to Lochee United’s Thomson Park – the teams had never previously met. Lochee were relegated in June after 12 Superleague seasons, and are many people’s favourites to claim the title and a quick return.

Skipper Michael Fairnie returned to start in midfield after injury, alongside debutant Craig Hume who had served a four-game ban.

Lochee had the first goal effort in the third minute, McComiskie forcing Hi Hi’s keeper Liam Amos to turn the ball over the bar, but the visitors soon settled and for a good chunk of the first half they played the better football. Andrew Sinclair, Ricky Miller and Kayne Paterson all had chances to score but the closest call came on 21 minutes when Devlin’s corner was met towards the back post by the head of Andy Forbes – had he got his angle right, a goal looked a certainty but the connection wasn’t as he’d have wished and the ball flew over the bar.

Devlin wasn’t far away with a low drive a few minutes later and Sinclair forced a save from home keeper Gray. Lochee weren’t without chances, though, with a Hagan snapshot bringing Amos into action, and they went in front after 33 minutes when a free-kick was headed in at the near post by defender Kirk – not a great goal to concede, the United man having been allowed far too much space.

Devlin tried for an immediate response with a shot sliced badly behind by Gray, but Lochee had the final word in the first half with a McComiskie effort which wasn’t far off target.

The Dundonians finished the first half the stronger looking team, after the Hi Hi’s spell of superiority, and they maintained their position through much of the second half, though there was never much in it. Wasted opportunities brought frustrated comments from home supporters and Birse really ought to have scored just before the hour mark but put the ball over the bar with the goal beckoning.

The result remained in the balance until five minutes from the end, when Lochee were awarded what the Haddington players reckoned a generous penalty – Miller was deemed to have fouled McComiskie, questionably from a Hi Hi’s perspective, but they were doubtful any offence had taken place inside the box. Amos saved McComiskie’s spot kick but the United man was quick to follow in on the loose ball and tuck it into the net – after this there was no way back for the Hi Hi, though manager Johnny Harvey was encouraged by the positive aspects of a decent performance against a good team.

Dundonald Bluebell are the visitors to Millfield this Saturday and there’s much at stake for both teams as they look to assert themselves as genuine promotion contenders. Dundonald came up from the South Division a year ahead of the Hi Hi and acquitted themselves well last season – they suffered a disappointing defeat against Falkirk Juniors last week, though, and will be keen to bounce back.