Tranent Ease to Derby Day Victory

Tranent Juniors collected the three points against a HaddingtonAthletic team who played well, but couldn’t deliver a final ball or convert possession into goals. The game was still finely balanced half way through the second half with Haddington pressing for an equaliser, until Tranent added a second goal against the run of play. As the game progressed the home side looked more and more like adding to their total and did add a third, and could well have had more.

Today saw the last time that Tranent Juniors would entertain their local rivals Haddington Athletic as two Junior clubs, with the departure of both sides to the East of Scotland League next season. However, the match was not without significance, as Haddington were still in with a great chance of winning promotion to the McBookie.com East Super League for the first time in their history, and that in itself, would be a marvellous achievement for the club who were in the South Division just a few years ago. The Hi- Hi s took a valuable point at Fauldhouse United on Wednesday night and now lie third in the league, just behind Fauldhouse by a single goal on goal difference. Tranent sit just below half way in the table, but the “penalty shoot out kings” of the last two seasons, pulled off another major shock in the East of Scotland Cup when they eliminated Linlithgow Rose on penalties last Wednesday night. It’s been a mixed season for Tranent but they were looking to wind up their league campaign on a high starting with a win against their derby rivals. 

Haddington started brightly and might well have scored early on before Moffat had a shot blocked and turned for a corner. After 7 minutes Moffat again had a half chance when he got on the end of a cross but couldn’t convert.

Tranent ‘s first chance came after 8 minutes when Devlin squared his pass just behind Paterson. Haddington were proving the more enterprising side but after 13 minutes, Tranent took the lead. After good play on the right Fiddler played the ball to MCCALLUM who converted smartly - a fairly scrappy goal and against the run of play.

The home side were nearly gifted a second goal when Paterson dwelt on the ball and Devlin robbed him - but the big defender redeemed himself with a good tackle at the expense of corner. 

After 18 minutes the pacy Jones had a good run for the visitors, but shot straight at the goalkeeper.

After 21 minutes Devlin nearly doubled the home side’s lead, but his flicked header was just wide of the far post. After 26 minutes, Smeaton headed a cross from a corner wide. With 32 minutes played Fiddler found McCallum in the box but his clever flick was straight at Alysandratos.

After 33 minutes Haddington should have drawn level. Hill played Moffat in but he sent his shot past the post when he looked certain to equalise.

Tranent went in at the break one up, but there was not much between the sides and Haddington were still very much in it.

Half Time  Tranent Juniors 1 ; Haddington Athletic 0

There were no changes at the break but Haddington replaced Cropley with Quinn after 51 minutes. 

Haddington were pushing forward but the home side looked dangerous on the break and Paterson blasted over after 52 minutes. 

Haddington then had a decent chance but Quinn shot across goal after 53 minutes. 

Haddington then won a couple of corners in quick succession and from the second Jones headed over from a good position. From another Haddington corner just after the hour, the ball was not cleared and when it was played back in, Hill headed over. 

Haddington’s Hill was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a bad tackle on  65 minutes. However, two minutes later Tranent went two up. After good interplay on the break PATERSON finished neatly past Alysandratos.

After 70 minutes Haddington withdrew Devlin to be replaced by Torrance.

Two minutes later they nearly scored. Firstly Jones had a good shooting chance about 10 yards out on the left. He hit the target but Horne saved brilliantly. When the ball broke back to Torrance, he looked certain to score, but Horne threw himself to the other side of the goal to make another fine stop - great goalkeeping.

Tranent brought on Smith in place of Fisher with 12 minutes remaining before Haddington’s Cunningham was yellow carded.

With 6 minutes remaining Quinn had a good run and shot but again Horne saved well.

After 85 minutes Tranent got their third. With Athletic pushing forward Fiddler played MILLER in and he took his time and picked his spot. 

Both sides had shooting chances as the clock ran down but Alysandratos saved well from Devlin, before McCallum blasted wide from range. The last action of the games saw Miller send an effort wide. 

Tranent ran out convincing winners in the end but they never dominated Haddington - they just converted their chances. The result is a blow to Haddington’s hope of automatic promotion but sees Tranent keep up their recent good run of results. 

Best for Tranent were Christie and Hawkins while Cunningham tried hard for the visitors on a day when it was not going to happen for them.

Haddington host Glenrothes next Saturday whilst the “belters” visit East Lothian neighbours Dunbar United for what may be the last time in a League fixture!

Full Time  Tranent Juniors 3; Haddington Athletic 0

Tranent Juniors 

Horne, Miller, Hawkins, Christie, Smeaton, Paterson, Fairnie,Devlin,Fisher McCallum and Fiddler, Hawkins Subs  Dowie ( GK) Smith, Wells and Meikle 

Haddington Athletic 
Alysandratos, Berry, Hamill, Paterson, Cunningham, Inglis, Hill, Declan,Moffat, Cropley and Jones, Subs Torrance, Qunn, Trialist ( Watson)and Cockburn (GK)

Referee 

Craig Ferguson 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter