HADDINGTON Athletic were celebrating a cup double at the weekend after a nerve-jangling penalty shootout triumph.
Two youth cup finals were played at the club’s Millfield ground on Sunday, with the Hi Hi represented in both.
In the under-13s final of the Colin Campbell Cup, Haddington Athletic Colts edged to a 2-1 victory over Arniston Rangers YFC, Jack Fraser and Josh Fitzgerald finding the net.
Scott Bathgate, head coach of the winning side, was “ecstatic” with the result.
He said: “We are absolutely delighted for the boys. They have worked hard all year and to get a bit of recognition is fantastic.
“It was a very closely contested 70 minutes – from the first minute to the last. We did enough in the end to edge the win.”
Both sides were cheered on by a bumper crowd on the day of the final.
The head coach said that it was not just the players who were in awe of the turnout.
He added: “It was a fantastic turnout of family members, friends and supporters on Sunday cheering on both sets of players.”
Then, a six-goal thriller between Haddington Athletic CFC’s under-17s side and their counterparts from Newtongrange Star finished 3-3.
Callum Moises, Sam Holmes and Aidan Grosse were all on target for Haddington, who conceded a last-minute goal to send the tie into a penalty shootout.
There, Haddington kept their nerve in a “ridiculous” shootout which saw the home side lifting the Craig Gowans Cup after triumphing 17-16.
Colin Bowsher, head coach of the older age group, was delighted with Haddington’s success in the finals.
He said: “Both Haddington teams have been fantastic through the season.
“They played really well and deserved the cup wins in the end.
“Both teams are in a good position in their leagues as well.
“It was absolutely amazing on Sunday.
“Both games generated large crowds and the park looked absolutely amazing.
“John Henderson does an amazing job with the park and everybody had a great time.”
READ MORE: Musselburgh Windsor celebrates platinum jubilee with day of awards
There could be further cup success for East Lothian’s young footballers as well.
Musselburgh Windsor Whites are aiming for a cup double of their own.
The under-14s side were due to face Craigroyston CYFC in the final of the David Innes Cup this evening (Wednesday).
Then, on Sunday, the club’s under-16s are involved in the final of the Chairmans Cup against Edinburgh City Whites at Dalkeith’s Kings Park.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, at Edinburgh’s Saughton Enclosure, North Berwick’s under-15s lock horns with Corstorphine Dynamo in the final of the Fife and Lothians Cup.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here