Sauchie eliminated from East of Scotland League Cup by Haddington

IT WAS the end of the road for Sauchie Juniors, as their defence of the East of Scotland League Cup came to a halt in the third round following a defeat against Haddington Athletic.

Two changes were made from the side’s narrow league victory over Glenrothes the week before; Finn Malcolm returned to the starting eleven to lead the forward line, replacing the cup-tied Conor Kelly.

Youngster Grant McDermott was handed his inaugural start for the first team.

Interim manager Jon Tully, who also manages McDermott and his under-20s teammates, spoke to Advertiser Sport: “Grant has done excellent for the 20s this season, he has made an impact when coming on for the first team in previous weeks and deserved his start.”

The game was always going to be an enthralling contest, the two sides familiar with one another as league opposition and having battled out the final of the competition last season, in which Sauchie won 3-2 after extra-time.

The game’s opening chances came in the first three minutes, when Aaron Ewins met a through ball from Sauchie’s John Binnie for Danny Smith before Smith could take his shot.

The hosts had their first saved by Sean Robertson from a Ryan Quinn attempt before Tom Davies fired the rebound wide of the mark.

Wilson Ngomo provided a low pass into the box for Luke Kennedy, Robertson poking the ball in front of Kennedy for the midfielder to round the goalkeeper and strike into the net despite captain Scott Davidson’s best efforts to clear off the line.

Smith would turn provider as the visitors looked for a quick response, giving the ball to Malcolm, but only for the striker’s effort to be caught by Haddington keeper Jamie Smith.

Malcolm would have another attempt, a shot over the bar inside what was a dangerous area, this pass being provided by McDermott.

Once more, Sauchie’s number ten looked to provide a threat, a free-kick delivered deep into the box and cleared only as far as Tom Harrison, the side’s other under 20s inclusion, unable to find the target.

There was a series of chances for Malcolm to get his team back into the game, which were met comfortably by Smith in between the sticks for the Hi-hi.

The East Lothian side looked to get their second, a corner from captain Craig Reid to Quinn, to which the attacker headed downwards but to the waiting hands of Robertson.

Kennedy was also in amongst it for goal number two, a cross-park pass to Davies, whose perfectly weighted pass then met Quinn to finally score and see off the tie.

Searching for what would be a consolation goal, Sam Davidson also had an effort that just avoided the top corner of the net when Smith’s corner met him outside the box.

Reflecting on the game, Tully offered: “It’s really disappointing for the club to go out at this stage, we feel it was a game we shouldn’t have lost. It says it all when their keeper gets man of the match.

"We gave away a really sloppy goal right at the start of the match and then got caught on a counterattack. All our possession and attacking just weren’t at their usual standard, which cost us big time.” 

He added: “There wasn’t really anything to take from the match, we knew we would have had a lot of the ball, but we just couldn’t find the right pass or decision in the final third. 

Credit to their keeper, who had a good number of good saves and collected a lot of crosses.” 

Sauchie Juniors: Robertson, Hutchison, Sc. Davidson, Binnie, Collumbine, Harrison (Comrie 63’), Smith, Sa. Davidson, Chalmers, Malcolm, McDermott (Hamilton 69’)

Substitutes Not Used: Severin, Smith, Grant, Burt

Advertiser Sport Man of the Match (Wilson Ngomo): The Hi-his midfielder performed tirelessly throughout the game, his speed, passing, and crossing proving problematic for his opponents and beneficial for his team in the final third.

The Sauchie Juniors faithful will have to wait until Wednesday, April 30 to see their team back in action as they travel to New Countess Park to take on Dunbar United in a 7:30pm kick-off.