Slick Finishing Sees Haddington Take All Three Points

Haddington ran out worthy winners against a good Blackburn United side in an open and entertaining encounter. The home side took the lead in the opening minute and doubled their advantage half way through the first half. Blackburn created chances and missed a penalty before pulling a goal back four minutes after the break. However, Haddington were not to be denied and restored their two goal advantage minutes later. Despite both sides creating chances Haddington held on comfortably to maintain their promotion challenge. 

Despite going down 5-1 to Super League leaders Bonnyrigg Rose, Haddington gave a good account of themselves in their East of Scotland Cup tie last Saturday and went into this key McBookie.com East Premier League encounter with Blackburn United in good heart. The Millfield side lie second in the table and faced a tough match against fifth placed United who also have a chance of promotion to the Super league. Today’s encounter would decide nothing in terms of promotion but defeat for either side would make promotion that much harder. The sides drew back in September.

The sides kicked off in Spring sunshine and Haddington took the lead in their first attack. The ball was played into the middle and Moffat slipped it wide to JONES who finished smartly into the far corner, giving United goalkeeper Marley no chance. The perfect start for the home side and a warning to United about the real threat carried by the Haddington front two. Haddington were clearly encouraged by their start and 2 minutes later Berry crossed to Moffat who gave Cropley a shooting chance, but he missed his kick. With 8 minutes played Haddington looked to have doubled their lead. Jones supplied the cross and Moffat had the header but although the ball looked goal bound, it was hooked off the line by Browne. The home side appealed for the goal but referee Daniel Graves, without the benefit of assistants, decided the ball hadn’t crossed the line. 

Blackburn were slowly getting into the game and had a chance from a corner which wasn’t cleared, but the header from Campbell went wide. Jones was causing lots of problems with his pace and he shot wide in Haddington’s next attack before  Cropley sent an effort past. 

After 19 minutes United won a free kick on the left after Cairney lunged in. The cross was headed away by Inglis and dropped for Williamson who fired over. Two minutes later Ross shot over after Campbell had headed a cross down to him. The game was fairly even at this point but Haddington increased their lead after 24 minutes. Berry sent a cross in and MOFFAT rose unchallenged to head home. 

With 26 minutes played United got a great opportunity to get back into the game. After three consecutive corner Alysandratos came out for a cross and took out a Blackburn player. Referee Graves pointed to the spot without hesitation. Young stepped forward and sent his shot against the left post. The ball came flying back and struck a United player as he raced in on goal and ended back in the arms of Alysandratos’s arms - a real let off for the home side. 

Just after the half hour Ross put in a good cross for the visitors but the header went gently into the home keeper’s arms. Although two goals behind the visitors were playing well but lacking a cutting edge. 

Haddington were always dangerous and won corners on the right and left but they came to nothing. 

After 38 minutes Alysandratos pulled off an acrobatic save but it was one for the photographers from the colourful keeper. 

The game was still very open with both sides looking to pass the ball and the second half promised to be close.

Half Time  Haddington Athletic 2;  Blackburn United 0

There were no changes for either side after the break.

Blackburn started the second half on the front foot and within 4 minutes had reduced the deficient. A ball was played in by Young from the left and as Cunnngham attempted to clear it, his glancing header gave his own goalkeeper no chance. The goal was no more than the visitors deserved for their first half performance  and they  won a corner in their next attack but the cross was overhit.

Haddington went down the other end and won a corner but it came to nothing.

However, the two goal lead was quickly restored.

Inglis chased a lost cause wide on the right and put over a fine cross. As the visitors appealed that the ball had gone out of play, the cross arrived at the back post. The ball was headed back across goal and MOFFAT did what he does best and put the ball beyond Marley. 

Blackburn reacted positively to this set back and after good work by Ross, Campbell has a great chance, but he headed wide.

After 57 minutes United made a change withdrawing Gartshore and introducing Spence. Two minutes later Ross again put in a fine cross but Campbell couldn’t connect. 

After 61 minutes United took off Heath and introduced Warren - Black. They clearly thought they could still get back into the game and won a corner as they pushed forward. They played their final substitution card after 67 minutes as Hutton made way for Cowan.

Haddington were still very dangerous and the “old firm” of Jones and Moffat combined before the latter headed wide. 

Blackburn kept pressing and won another corner before Ross send a free kick well over.

After 75 minutes Cropley sent a good ball down the line. The ball was crossed into the area allowing Moffat to turn and shoot, but he didn’t work the keeper. It was Cropley’s last contribution as he made way for Brown.

With 10 minutes remaining Spence shot over for United.

Haddington were still attacking with real menace and twice in two minutes they nearly added to their tally. Firstly great work by Jones allowed Berry to play in Moffat, before his shot was blocked. Then Moffat played in Jones but his audacious chip brought out a fine save from Marley when the keeper looked beaten. 

Haddington looked secure now but first Ross then Spence tried their luck with shots for United.

With time running out Jones and Moffat again combined but a great tackle by Black stopped the striker. In the last minute Cunningham had a header for the home side.

Haddington deserved the win and their pace and clinical finishing up front was the difference between the teams. They were well served by Jones and Moffat with Hamill solid at the back.

Ross was best for the visitors who might have taken a point with better finishing. 

Haddington have no fixture next Saturday while Blackburn host Kirriemuir Thistle.

Full Time  Haddington Athletic 3;  Blackburn United 1

Haddington Athletic 
Alysandratos, Cairney,Tufail, Hamill, Cunningham, Inglis, Hill,Berry, Moffat, Cropley,  and Jones, Subs Devlin, Quinn, Paterson, Brown  and Cockburn

Blackburn United

Marley, Gartshore,Heath,Mildren,Browne,Williamson,Martin,Young, Campbell,Ross and Hutton Subs Cowan, Warren - Black and Spence

Referee Daniel Graves

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter