Four Goal Moffat sees off Dunbar at Millfield

A superb four goal performance by Scot Moffat and another by Bob Berry saw Haddington collect all three points against a Dunbar side who threatened only at set pieces and should have been well beaten by halftime. However, to their credit Dunbar kept going and the result was still in doubt until well into the second half as the visitor's found the net three times.

Haddington Athletic entertained Dunbar United in an East Lothian Derby - the first of the season for the Hi His, although Dunbar have already played their first Derby against Musselburgh last Wednesday night. The home side have started strongly and sit fourth in the table with two wins and only the one defeat, that coming in their last outing at St Andrews. Dunbar have found life in the second tier tough and have only a solitary point picked up on match day 1 at home to fellow strugglers Glenrothes. However Saturday gave them a little encouragement as they lost by only a late goal to Tayport who look a decent side and have started well. These two sides have not clashed in the league since the 2014/15 season when Haddington completed the double over their county rivals on their way to the Championship.  This evening both sides featured goalscorers in form with Haddington's Moffat on 5 in three games and Dunbar's King on 4.

Haddington were the first to threaten on a windy evening and Hill tried his luck from range but his effort was just wide. Debutant Hamilton then put in a good cross which Hill did well to reach but, he headed just over. Haddington were controlling possession and growing confidence as nothing was seen of the visitors going forward and after 12 minutes they took a deserved lead. Good interplay on the right saw the ball reach Berry. His pass found MOFFAT who despite taking his time fired the ball beyond Johnstone in the Dunbar goal. It was the best move of the game so far and no more than the home side deserved.

The goal seemed to kick start Dunbar but despite more possession they carried little threat in front of goal. Both the Haddington full backs were finding space out wide and putting in dangerous crosses. Half way through the half Haddington won a corner and Inglis' cross was met by the head of Berry and his header beat Johnstone but Keith Tait cleared it off the line. From the resultant corner the ball wasn't cleared and Inglis fired in a shot which again beat Johnstone but as with the earlier effort, Keith Tait was on the line to clear.

However a second goal was only delayed temporarily. Cairney found Hill who put in another cross from the right and that man MOFFAT was there to flick the ball past Johnstone to double the lead.

Haddington were in total command and after 25 minutes a Berry shot was deflected for a corner.

Dunbar were just not able to create anything and their only response was to send a couple of King free kicks into the box.

Haddington kept the pressure on and Moffat had a shot deflected for a corner. From the kick Cunningham nearly got on the end of the cross at the far post. Inglis was causing lots of problems with the delivery of free kicks and corners and he nearly found Bauld with another deep cross. Yet another cross found Hill who headed it to Devlin but he slipped his effort wide.

With three minutes to the break there was a shock for the home side. Handling did well to win a corner on the right which King swung over. The ball wasn't cleared and it fell to SZEMIS whose deflected shot gave Cockburn no chance.

It was a forty five minutes which Haddington dominated creating numerous openings but they went in at the break with only the slenderest of leads.

Half Time  Haddington Athletic 2;  Dunbar United 1

No changes in personnel at the break for either side.

Haddington didn't take long to establish their two goal lead again. Hamilton went down the left flank at pace and his fine cross found MOFFAT who finished with real style - his second hat trick of of the league season and his eighth goal in less than four games.

The game was following a similar pattern to the first half with Haddington totally in control and playing some good attacking football.

Dunbar were hardly seen going forward but surprisingly they got themselves back into it after 58 minutes. Again it was a set piece. King crossed the ball and Smith won it and headed it back to MCLAREN who finished smartly. The game was back in the balance again and it looked like there would be more goals. Dunbar enjoyed a better spell now and McLaren shot straight at Cockburn.

Just after the hour Haddington missed a great chance to go two ahead again. With Dunbar pushing forward the home side broke forward at pace. The ball ended up with Jones but Johnstone did well to parry his effort. The ball broke to Inglis and with the goal at his mercy he smashed the ball over the bar! However, MOFFAT had been quiet for fifteen minutes and after 63 minutes he found himself free on the left side of the box and he slipped the ball beyond Johnstone to add his own and his team's fourth!  Astonishingly the second time in three games the striker had scored four times

Both sides made substitutions to bring in fresh legs - four games in twelve days is a big ask for part time players and Dunbar made positional changes to try and get more of the ball in midfield.

With 15 minutes remaining Dunbar once again reduced the arrears to one. Substitute Hogg delivered a free kick into the box and Steven TAIT headed the ball home. All credit to Dunbar who were living on the odd set piece but making the most of their opportunities.

Haddington kept pushing forward looking for the killer goal and looked dangerous but had to be careful not to concede free kicks or corners as they presented Dunbar with their best opportunities.

With four minutes remaining Haddington finally appeared to have wrapped the points up. Hill fired a terrific curling free kick in from the left and BERRY nudged the ball into the net giving Johnstone no chance.

With three minutes left substitute Wright curled an effort just wide of the far post.

With the game deep into added time Szemis got on the end of yet another free kick but smashed his effort off the inside of the post and away to safety.

Haddington thoroughly deserved the win in a game they dominated throughout. They created numerous chances but showed their fragility to cross balls at the back. Dunbar did well to keep the game within distance but lost the midfield battle and conceded too many goals. They have a goalscorer in McLaren but he needs better service.

Best for Haddington was man of the match Moffat, captain Inglis looked assured in the middle and Hamilton had an encouraging debut.

Tonight's result sees Haddington go Third while Dunbar sink to the foot of the table. Both sides are at home on Saturday with Haddington hosting Kirriemuir and United entertaining Dalkeith Thistle.

Full Time  Haddington Athletic 5; Dunbar United 3

Haddington Athletic

Cockburn, Cairney, Hamilton, Bauld, Cunningham, Inglis, Berry, Hill, Moffat, Devin and Jones

Subs  Wright, Temple, Hill, Hamill and Alysadratos (Gk)

Dunbar United

Johnstone, Keith Tait, Steven Tait, Szemis, Smith, Ingram, Handling, Gillon, Ballantine, King and McLaren  Subs Gibson, Hogg, Hall, Kean and McCathie

Referee  Colin Whyte

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter