Athletic Just Fall Short

Armadale Thistle were the visitors to Millfield for an East of Scotland Cup First round tie. The home side were unbeaten in the McBookie.com South Division, whereas the visitors had lost only once (to high flying Kelty Hearts) in the McBookie.com East Superleague. This was an opportunity for the much changed Athletic side this season, to measure themselves against a side two leagues above them.

It was an under strength Haddington team, with a few regulars missing, who took the field before a decent crowd.

The match started slowly and it took a full 6 minutes for a shot at goal - a tame effort from Thistle's Dalrymple. However, it was an early reminder of the class in the visitors ranks. Thistle continued to dominate play and Thomson had a shot comfortably saved by Polowyi in the home goal just before the quarter hour. The opener was not far away though and a minute later,  Dalrymple found Feeney on the left edge of the home box. He checked inside and shot wide of Polowyi to give Armadale the advantage. 

Haddington reacted well to this setback but carried little threat up front. They won a free kick 25 yards out but Lynch fired straight into the defensive wall.

The dangerous Dalrymple nearly added to Armadale's lead when he wriggled free on the edge of the box, but Polowyi saved his effort brilliantly. Thistle looked sure to score on the half hour when there was a goalmouth scramble, resulting from a corner, but Haddington managed to clear it.

After 36 minutes Armadale got a second. McCafferty found Feeney wide on the left and his shot across goal found the far corner. Thistle were well in control now and might well have stretched their lead before the break, with Feeney narrowly failing to complete his hat- trick.

Half Time  Haddington Athletic 0; Armadale Thistle 2

The home side made a change at the break with Fairnie replacing Ponton.

The change seemed to galvanise the home team and they dominated the next 10 minutes. Murray had a couple of half chances for them but despite good possession they could not create an opening.

Thistle still carried a threat and Dalrymple struck the post from a free kick after 57 minutes.
The visitors seemed content to see the game out and both teams gave a run out to their bench.

Haddington kept pushing forward and in 87 minutes got some reward! Following good interplay around the box, Sinclair fired a fine shot past Walker into the far corner. The last few minutes saw Haddington pushing forward, but Armadale were strong at the back.

Haddington should be encouraged by this result. Despite being under strength they competed with their more illustrious opponents and fell just short. Best for them was substitute Fairnie, who looked an excellent player in the second half.  Armadale just about deserved the win. Dalrymple was best and Feeney the goalscorer, a close second. At the back G Brown was solid.

Full Time  Haddington Athletic 1; Armadale Thistle  2

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter