The Athletics of Haddington and Penicuik met at Millfield Park in a South League Cup Section 4 match. The game went ahead in bright sunshine following some torrential downpours during the week. Haddington kicked off towards the pavilion and enjoyed the bulk of the early play without putting too much pressure on the Penicuik goal.

Four minutes later Martin headed a net bound Cameron lob out for a corner as Penicuik kept up the pressure. The goal was only delayed as good play by Steel and Milne released Moonie into space on the left. When his cross came over JONES ran in to score Penicuik’s second. Milne and Ryrie were dictating play but Haddington’s defence stuck to their task. Scobie saved at Moonie’s feet and a last ditch Martin tackle robbed McDonald when he looked to be through on goal. Cameron had a drive deflected for a corner but Foster headed the resultant kick over the bar. Myles was booked for a late tackle before Haddington finished the half with a flourish.

Chris Moffat won a corner that was deflected out and Haddington could not capitalise on the second corner before Referee Ross blew for half time. Penicuik went in for their half time refreshment having put on a strong display of possession football in the first forty five minutes.

Haddington changed their formation to counter Penicuik’s midfield dominance and Manson and Grant caught the eye with some determined play. With five minutes of the second half gone, Haddington drew a goal back when Mark Kelly found himself clear on the right wing. His deep cross looked net bound but ROSS FERGUSON headed the ball in to an empty net to bring the home team right back into the game. Foster sliced the ball out for a corner and Cameron gave a free kick away in a dangerous position as Penicuik struggled to get any rhythm into their play in the second half.

However, Penicuik hit back in the 57^th minute when a Cameron header came back off the crossbar following two Moonie corner kicks. Penicuik replaced Milne with Barr as Haddington went looking for the equaliser. Lynch was yellow carded for a midfield challenge before a drive by the hard working Manson was held by Ramage in the visitor’s goal.

With 20 minutes of the half gone, Scobie saved at Barr’s feet after good play by Cameron and McDonald.  A last gasp tackle by tenacious home defender Saunders denied Cameron when he was running in on goal. Montgomery replaced Moonie as Penicuik again held the upper hand. A Ryrie drive was deflected for a corner before the Penicuik midfielder set up the third goal in the 76^th minute. He won the ball in midfield and passed for McDonald to run into space on the left. CAMERON was on hand to net McDonald’s square pass with the Haddington defenders vainly claiming for off side.

With the game over as a contest, there was one unusual incident before the end. Ryan Gay replaced Dean Jones in the 78^th minute and was booked 6 minutes later for having come onto the field of play without the referee’s permission. In the final act of the game substitute Ross Cowan almost added a second goal for Haddington but his drive sneaked past the wrong side of the post.

Final Score: Haddington Athletic 1 v 3 Penicuik Athletic