Haddington strike late to seal share of the spoils against Sauchie

SAUCHIE Juniors and Haddington Athletic each shared a point as their encounter at Beechwood Park ended all square.

There were six changes to the team that suffered defeat against Edinburgh University just the week before, midfielders Euan Griffiths and Brian Morgan were both suspended, this meant a first start for Craig Comrie.

Conor Kelly would lead the attacking line in his fourth debut for the club, and there was also a return to first-team action for Ross Hutchison, having been sidelined since mid-December as he recovered from knee surgery. 

The game’s first chance would come from the visitors, a free-kick taken by Robbie Peffers only for the opportunity to sail over the bar.

Hutchison and Connor Willaghan forged attacks from the fullback position, getting dangerous balls into the middle of the box but not enough to be a threat. 

Craig Reid delivered a free kick following Comrie's foul on his teammate Ryan Quinn, which was cleared by Scott Davidson's head.

Tom Davies would attack Sauchie’s right-hand side, taking on Willaghan before forcing a close-range save from Sean Robertson.

The home side started to ease into the game, Kelly linked up well with Danny Smith, who made the visiting keeper make a save of his own.

Sam Collumbine had a chance for the opener, but this was again met by Jamie Smith’s save hands.

A series of corners from Smith would also be cleared from danger by a resolute Haddington defence before reaching their targets in the centre.

A first chance of the second 45 came when Davies’ edge-of-the-box free-kick hit the Sauchie wall.

The deadlock was broken as a corner from Smith was whipped in for captain Davidson, who headed to Kelly to slot home.

Jon Tully spoke about Kelly’s immediate impact: “Connor showed why he’s played at this level for so long, his hold-up play, his talking, and he always knows where to be to score goals. This why we got him back in is for those reasons.”

Kelly had an immediate chance to grab a brace, a great cross by youngster Grant McDermott, but Corey Robertson had disposed of the opportunity.

Attacker Finn Malcolm also provided a cross for Collumbine, but the midfielder could not direct his shot goalwards.

The visitors then went on the ascendancy, with Peffers having another free kick but this time having his attack cleared by Finlay Miller. 

Eight minutes from time, substitute Grant Rose scored an equaliser, getting on the end of a Davies cross to bring his team level.

Searching for something in the game’s closing stages, Smith had a free-kick in a dangerous area, unable to do anything with the opportunity, however.

Reflecting on the game, Tully said: “It feels like a defeat to concede a goal so late in the game. 

"We feel they started the game better, having created all the chances in the first 10/15 minutes, but we grew into the game, started to take control, and were the better of the two sides.” 

Despite the late leveller from the Hi-hi, there were some positives for the interim boss regarding personnel.

He added: “Great to see Hutchy (Ross Hutchison) back, he played for 20s last week to get minutes back in the legs and again. 

"So you can see how much of a boost that is to himself and the team. He’s been a main part of Sauchie's success over the last few years.

“Craig Comrie as well, getting 76 minutes, I thought was fantastic. Sam Collumbine and Danny are back doing what they do best.

“Credit to the two young guys that got on, they did superbly after playing 90 minutes the night before in a quarter-final. 

"It shows that the 20s squad is sitting very well and pushing for places in the first team, which is fantastic for the club.”

Sauchie Juniors: Robertson, Willaghan, Hutchison (Miller 65’), Davidson, Trialist, Collumbine, Harrison (McDermott 46’), Comrie (Chalmers 76’), Kelly, Smith, Malcolm

Substitutes Not Used: Burt, Grant

Advertiser Sport Man of the Match (Conor Kelly): It was a dream start for Kelly, with the striker re-opening his Sauchie Juniors account following his return to the club. The number nine proved to be busy all afternoon, making things difficult for the visiting defence and getting involved in every one of his team’s attacks.

This Saturday sees attentions turn to the East of Scotland League Cup, with the team welcoming third-division Hawick Royal Albert to Beechwood Park for a place in the third round at stake.