Ten Man Haddington Deserve Points In Entertaining Encounter

Although Tayport enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes they went in at the break on level terms. However, it was a very different Haddington who emerged for the second period and despite going down to ten men just before the hour, the home side showed real character to battle on and take all three points. 

It was second hosting third when Tayport turned up at Millfield today for a McBookie.com East Premier League match. The sides are locked together on points with Haddington sitting second on goal difference -  with three games in hand. However, the sides behind them are breathing down their necks in the hunt for the automatic promotion place behind Musselburgh Athletic, who look likely to secure the championship. Haddington boast an unbeaten home record but lost to Tayport back in September and have never beaten the “fifers”. This match would decide nothing in terms of promotion but a loss would dent both sides chances as the season reaches it’s climax,

Haddington were first into the attack on a bright but sharp afternoon with a brisk east wind blowing down the pitch. Hill played in a corner and when it was not cleared, Jones played a dangerous ball across goal. After 5 minutes, top goal scorer Moffat had a heading chance but his effort went tamely past, After 7 minutes Haddington produced some terrific football down the right. A great combination amongst Cairney, Cropley and Jones created an opening for Moffat, but his shot was well saved by Sorley. 

Tayport created their first moment of real danger after 9 minutes. Great footwork by Tulleth gave him a shooting chance but he fired over. A minute later O’Brien shot over but it was an indication of Tayport starting to gain some momentum in the game. 

The ever dangerous Jones then shot over for the home side before Cairney saw yellow for the home side. 

O’Brien was next to try his luck for the visitors but it was easy for Alysandratos in the Haddington goal. 

After 21 minutes the Greek goalkeeper pulled off a great double save from McConnachie. Firstly he turned an effort wide of his goal but when the ball came back in the keeper saved again -  McConnachue looked certain to give Tayport the lead both times. A minute later Haddington nearly went ahead, Jones fired in a terrific shot from range which came back off the inside of the post - end to end stuff!

Tayport thought they’d gone ahead after 25 minutes but the referee ruled the effort out for offside. 

With 32 minutes played Tayport nearly got the opener but this time Gill’s shot came back off the far post. However, it only took a minute for the team from Fife to go ahead. Gill played the cross in from the right and ROBERTSON was on the end to shoot past Alysandratos - no more than they deserved. 

The goal seemed to shake Haddington and Gill sent in a curling shot which Alysandratos saved well. Cropley was then yellow carded as Haddington sought to steady the ship after the goal. 

However, with 40 minutes gone Haddington equalised. They won a free kick about 30 yards out. JONES took the kick and smashed an unstoppable effort in off Sorley’s left hand post - a terrific finish!

The sides went in on level terms at half time but Tayport must have felt they should have been ahead after a half where they dominated the midfield in a thoroughly entertaining game.

Half Time  Haddington Athletic 1; Tayport 1 

Neither side made a change at the break and Haddington nearly went ahead in the first minute of the second period. Jones sent in a terrific cross from the left and Moffat headed onto the crossbar. Minutes later Jones sent a free kick past. 

Tayport were under a bit of pressure in these opening minutes and Sturrock saw yellow after 50 minutes. 

A minute later Jones nearly put the home side in front. He sped in on goals in his usual supercharged fashion leaving others in his wake, before chipping over the bar. 

Tayport won a corner in their first attack of the half and Conway headed over.

The game was much more finely balanced at the start at the half and Jones and Moffat combined to win Haddington a corner, from that corner there was a terrific goalmouth scramble but the ball was cleared. In Haddington’s next attack Hills cross was headed by Paterson but his effort was straight at Sorley. 

Tayport were still dangerous and after 58 minutes Tulleth fired a shot against the bar with Alysandratos beaten. 

A minute later and Haddington were down to ten men. Cairney made a dangerous tackle out on the right and took the long walk back to the clubhouse. The referee was right on the spot and the dismissal was instant. 

Haddington seemed to gain in stature after the sending off and Hill sent in a dangerous cross from a free kick.

With 66 minutes gone Tayport had a good chance. The ball was cleared as far as Roberson who controlled it well on his chest before volleying just wide. 

Haddington then broke forward and Jones brought a good stop from Sorley. 

After 68 minutes Tulleth spotted Alysandratos well off his line and from ten yards inside his own half, send his down wind effort just wide of the goal.

Haddington’s Hill was then yellow carded for a foul. 

Tulleth again tried his luck after 73 minutes but shot over.

Haddington then replaced Cropley with Quinn before Tayport’s Suttie was booked. 

After 77 minutes Haddington took the lead their second half play deserved. They took a short free kick on the left and Moffat was on hand to turn Jones’ cross home - the 10 men were now in the lead for the first time. 

The same two players nearly combined again a  minute later after another great run by Jones - but this time Sorley saved Moffat’s shot. 

O’Brien was then yellow carded for an attempt to foul Jones. O’Brien was then substituted for Sutherland.

With 5 minutes remaining Alysandratos saved comfortably from McConnachie. 

Haddington looked fairly comfortable now despite being down to ten men and Quinn showed great pace to break on the right. In the last minute Hill blasted over for the home side.

This was a match in which each side dominated one half but surprisingly Haddington were better when down to ten. 

The Haddington promotion push goes on and this is a setback for Tayport but not terminal. It was an entertaining game of football with a lot of open attractive play but Haddington finished the stronger and deserved the points. Best for the home team were Hamill ( always calm at the back), Jones with his pace and eye for goal and, in the period after the sending off, their Captain Inglis who was everywhere as the game opened up. 

Tayport will be disappointed in their second half effort and were well served by the enterprising Tulleth.

A word about referee Paul Hanson who got the big decisions correct. 

Haddington host League leaders Musselburgh in a vital East Lothian derby on Wednesday night before visiting Kirriemuir Thistle next Saturday. Tayport host Tranent Juniors next Saturday

Full Time Haddington Athletic 2; Tayport 1 

Haddington Athletic 
Alysandratos, Cairney, Brown, Hamill, Paterson, Inglis, Hill, Berry, Moffat, Cropley and Jones, Subs Devlin, Quinn, Torrance and Cockburn (GK)

Tayport Juniors 
 1 Sorley, 2 Conway, 3 Sturrock, 4 Rollo, 5 Suttie, 7 Mackie, 8 Gill , 12 McConnachie 14 Robertson 16 O’Brien and 17 Tulleth Subs 20 Anderson, 13 Christie, 18 Paterson, 15 Smith and 10 Sutherland

Referee

Paul Hanson 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter