Hat Trick Hero Devlin Shoots Down High Flying Swifts

Despite being two behind inside six minutes and looking like they were in for a heavy defeat, Haddington managed to turn things around and in the end secure three valuable points in a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

The top fixture in the McBookie.com East Premier League saw third placed Haddington Athletic play host to the only side still unbeaten in the league, Jeanfield Swifts. The Swifts are having a superb season and have lost only once in all competitions - narrowly to Super League pacesetters Bonnyrigg Rose in the Scottish Junior Cup - and are in a fine position to push for one of the two automatic promotion places to the East Super League. Athletic are also having a good season in their Premier League debut but need to keep winning if they are to feature in the promotion run in - they have played more games than the other leading contenders. Both sides came into this key fixture on the back of good wins last week and when they met in October at the Riverside Stadium, Jeanfield came out on top by the odd goal in three.

The crowd had hardly settled down before Jeanfield had opened the scoring. With three minutes on the clock, Kelly's fine cross from the right was beautifully headed home by BAKER at the far post. With the home supporters reeling from this setback, the home defence was breached again three minutes later. McLEISH found himself free in front of goal and although his first effort was blocked, he reacted quickly to turn and fire home the second for the visitors.

There were danger signs for Athletic at this point as Jeanfield looked menacing every time they went forward.

Haddington's first attack won them a corner on their left. Pontoon took the kick and looked to have wasted it, but when it reached DEVLIN he turned smartly and smashed an unstoppable effort past Mitchell into the far corner. Eight minutes played and three goals!!!

Almost straight from the restart, Athletic won another corner and Thom might well have done better when he got on the end of McPartlin's kick.

It was end to end stuff at this stage and Baker almost added a third for the visitors with another header.

With 16 minutes on the clock,  Haddington drew level with a penalty. Pontoon was brought down by Dodd and referee George Calder pointed straight to the spot. DEVLIN stepped up and after some delay gave Mitchell no chance. What a start to the match!

With 25 minutes played things got even better for the home side when PONTON went through on goal after a defensive slip and coolly put the HiHis ahead - what a turnaround !

The game was very open with half chances at either end but in thirty eight minutes Swifts nearly drew level - Deans heading a Dodd's  corner against the crossbar.

It was a great first half which flew past with loads of action.

Half Time  Haddington Athletic 3; Jeanfield Swifts 2

There were no changes at half time and Jeanfueld again started the half quickly - Smith trying a shot from range which Amos fielded comfortably.

After 51 minutes Haddington were awarded a second spot kick - this time Fleming bringing down Wright. Once again the referee had no hesitation and again DEVLIN slotted the kick home easily to complete his hat trick.

Both teams made substitutions as the hour approached but not before McLeish nearly pulled a goal back for the visitors with a great chip which drifted just wide.

After 62 minutes, Jeanfield did pull a goal back. Inglis was adjudged to have fouled substitute  Holden. KELLY stepped forward and gave Amos no chance with the kick.

Athletic nearly added to their lead after sixty three minutes when keeper Mitchell miskicked but Devlin pulled his effort wide.

With sixty eight minutes played, Swift's Kelly had a fine run but couldn't provide a finish.

Jeanfield were searching for the equaliser but it was Athletic who nearly scored when a Martin's cut back was put wide by Wright after a defensive slip.  With just over ten minutes remaining,  Martin had a chance to tie the match up after Ponton's cross had been played to him by Devlin - - but his effort went just wide.

There were to be no more goals in the game.  Haddington were more secure at the back and despite Jeanfield pushing for an equaliser the home side defended stoutly.

This was a game with everything and a great match for the spectators. Haddington looked in trouble early on but they fought back and held on as Jeanfield sought to maintain their unbeaten record.

Best for the home team were Devlin and Fairnie with the defence growing in confidence as the game went on. Kelly was prominent for Jeanfield who will be wondering on the long journey home just how they managed to lose this game!

A word of praise to the referee George Calder who handled the game brilliantly and let the game flow with a sensible attitude to his decision making!!

Next week Haddington travel to Dundonald Bluebell in the Fife and Lothians Cup whilst Jeanfield  are away to Banchory St Ternan in the GA engineering Cup.

Full Time  Haddington Athletic 4; Jeanfield Swifts 3

Teams
Haddington Athletic
Amos, McPartlin, Thom, Hume, Inglis, Fairnie, Wright, Berry, Sinclair, Devlin and Ponton Subs Martin, Noon and Breakley

Jeanfield Swifts
Mitchell, Anton, Mollison, Fleming, Deans, Dodd, Fowler, Kelly, Smith, McLeish and Baker 
Subs Dewar, Gunnion, Holden, McDermid and McManus

Referee George Calder

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter