Football: Haddington Athletic ready for cup clash with Dunbar United

Haddington Athletic extended their impressive run to just one defeat in their last seven games with the commanding victory on Saturday.

A strike from Gabri Auriemma and a Tom Davies effort had Haddington two goals up at the break before a second-half demolition of their visitors.

Davies would score another three, while Ross King and Riley Haston also got on the scoresheet.

Bonar was pleased with the result, the club’s best in the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League, which saw them move back into the top half of the table.

The manager said: “We have been threatening to do that to teams.

“We have been creating loads of chances in some of the games and just not taken them – you could sense it.

“The last few games we have done really well.

“Saturday, we scored at the right times of the game to demoralise our opponents.

Haddington Athletic were comfortable winners against Glenrothes last weekend. Image: Garry Menzies

“Them going down to 10 men obviously helped us but they went down to 10 men against Tynecastle and drew 4-4.

“I have found them quite a decent side and was delighted with the way Tom Davies got four in the game.

“He is starting to show the reason why I brought him to the club.”

Haddington’s season started promisingly with six wins from their opening seven league encounters.

However, injuries and a small squad of experienced players has led the manager to bring through a number of the teenagers starring for the club’s under-20s side.

Bonar was hopeful of players returning over the closing weeks of the campaign and increasing the number of available options.

He added: “It has been consistency in selection.

“I have not been able to pick the same team twice since August!”

Haddington Athletic were comfortable winners against Glenrothes last weekend. Image: Garry Menzies

The Millfield men still have four league games to play – against Sauchie Juniors, Jeanfield Swifts, Dundonald Bluebell and Crossgates Primrose – before the end of the campaign.

Before then, they also have a third-round League Cup tie with Dunbar United to contest.

Bonar, who succeeded Joe Hamill in the Haddington hot seat, was keen for his side to finish strongly.

He told Courier Sport: “We have still got Dunbar in a massive game in the cup.

“We are all looking forward to that.

“We have been beaten by them twice but I don’t know if they have been the better side.

“They got a penalty in one of the games when maybe a draw would have been a fair result.

“It would be good to get them in the cup and the players are relishing another derby against them.

“We have still got league games left and we want to give a good account of ourselves.”