Haddington 0-2 Kennoway Star Hearts

For Kennoway it was a chance to strengthen their case as genuine challengers for this season’s East Premier League title.

The home side started brightly and saw a deflected effort from their striker drift wide of an upright.

Ten minutes into the game and Paterson blocked well with his leg`s as the game had a Cup tie feel about it as play raged from end to end.

KSH first effort came from Shaw as his shot from distance sailed over the crossbar.

It was a great game for the spectators as attack seemed to be the uppermost priority for both teams.

Haddington looked to be relying heavily on getting the ball forward to the front two as quickly as possible.

A lot of diagonal ball played into the heart of the KSH defence as Doig, Young and Brewster worked tirelessly as a back three.

Five minutes before half time a ball out of defence from Doig found Shaw lurking on the half way line.

The winger dropped a shoulder and eased past his marker as he drove directly at the Haddington defence, as players moved out of position to close him down he played a lovely pass through to Wilson.

The in form forward took the ball in his stride and slid it under the advancing `keeper.

The second half started much the way the first half ended with both teams continuing to attack in a care free manner.

Haddington claimed for a penalty minutes after the restart as a player went down after a challenge from Young.

The referee waved play on as Kennoway produced a fine counter attack with Wilson and Band combining for Gay to see his effort hit the side net from eight yards.

Another lung bursting run from Kieran Band deep in his own half saw a three versus two in favour for the away side develop.

With Wilson and Gay either side of the young attacker he decided to shoot as the chance was passed up.

Another swift passing move from Gay to Shaw should have brought goal number two but Shaw`s final pass was smothered by the home `keeper with Wilson in a good position for a tap in.

On the hour mark it was the combination of Band and Wilson that created the second goal.

Band tackled for the ball in his own half and followed his run as Wilson nursed the ball forward, Band outpaced the central defender and struck a low angled drive into the far corner of the net from inside the penalty area.

Haddington looked to have reduced the deficit when their number nine showed a great deal of skill and composure when he struck a deft chip beyond the reach of Paterson only to see the ball bounce of the post and along the goal line to safety.

With five minutes left substitute Chris Gay picked out his brother Mathew Gay with a precise pass and again the striker was thwarted with another block from the Haddington shot stopper.

Deep into injury time Doig went on a lung bursting from defence into attack, again the chance fell to M Gay and yet again another save denied the striker a well deserved goal.

Kennoway Star Hearts - Paterson, Young, Doig, Brewster, Craig, Rolland, Partridge, Shaw, Band, Wilson, M Gay.

Subs - Mann, C Gay, Simpson, Sutherland.

Next game for Kennoway Star Hearts is at home against Dalkeith on November 19 with a 1.45pm kick off.