FOUR East Lothian football clubs will attempt to write themselves into the Scottish Cup history books on Saturday.

Dunbar United, Haddington Athletic, Preston Athletic and Tranent Juniors are aiming to reach the third round of the historic competition.

Victories over the weekend could be rewarded with ties against clubs from the second tier of Scottish football – and 90 minutes from the chance to play Premiership opposition.

Dunbar host Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale at New Countess Park knowing they have already defeated the Capital club this season.

Haddington face a trip to former Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) stalwarts Brechin City, while Preston play former Junior heavyweights Auchinleck Talbot.

Tranent, who knocked out two Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) teams last season in their Scottish Cup debut, will look to make it a hat-trick when they face Broomhill.

Kevin Haynes, in his debut campaign in the Dunbar hotseat, felt there was “a buzz” about the town ahead of the contest.

East Lothian Courier: Dunbar United (in blue), pictured against Dalkeith Thistle, are getting ready for a third home game in the Scottish Cup. Picture: Gordon MaitlandDunbar United (in blue), pictured against Dalkeith Thistle, are getting ready for a third home game in the Scottish Cup. Picture: Gordon Maitland

He said: “Some of the players have maybe not had the experience of the big Scottish Cup.

“It is new to them, the first time they have played in it, and there are boys in my squad who have never played senior.

“Now, East Lothian clubs are getting the opportunity to play in the big cup and it is the first time for some of the boys.

“It is an occasion we are really looking forward to.

“As a player and a supporter, it is massive for our club as well. It is our first time competing in the competition and we want to do well and get into the next round.”

Dunbar were 3-1 winners against their opposition back in July but Haynes felt that Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale were an improving side.

The Seasiders did not have a game on Saturday and their manager went to watch their opposition as they lost out to Civil Service Strollers in the South Region Challenge Cup.

Haynes said: “Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale are in a bit of a false position.

“I think they are a good side, they keep the ball pretty well and are starting to climb the table.

“They have put results together and at one stage we were nine points ahead of them and it is now only three.”

Meanwhile, Scott Bonar described Haddington’s trip to Glebe Park as “the biggest game I have been involved in”.

East Lothian Courier: Haddington Athletic (maroon) came from a goal down to beat Deveronvale in a penalty shootout to set up a contest with Brechin City in the Scottish CupHaddington Athletic (maroon) came from a goal down to beat Deveronvale in a penalty shootout to set up a contest with Brechin City in the Scottish Cup

He called on the people of East Lothian to get behind the team and make the trip to Angus in the hope of springing a famous victory.

He said: “Going there as underdogs suits us massively.

“We want to go there and enjoy the occasion.

“There is no pressure on the players, we have said to them to go and thrive on it, to express themselves.

“We want them to be brave and get on the ball rather than go there and struggle with their performance with anxiety or nerves.

“Just go and be positive so it lives long in the memory.”

The Hi Hi should not be short of confidence, going into the encounter on an 11-game unbeaten run in the league this campaign.

They also picked up a victory over Leith Athletic, who sit second to them in First Division Conference A, in the South Region Challenge Cup over the weekend.

Bonar added: “It has been ideal preparation but the last six weeks have been like that.

“We have had a lot of hard games, against Dunbar, Rosyth and Deveronvale twice; it’s been ideal preparation.”

Jack Lynch told Courier Sport that his Preston Athletic squad would go into the contest with no fear. They will be underdogs – despite home advantage – when 13-time Scottish Junior Cup winners Auchinleck Talbot arrive this weekend.

East Lothian Courier: Preston Athletic (blue), pictured against Glenrothes, are out to spring a cup shock against Auchinleck TalbotPreston Athletic (blue), pictured against Glenrothes, are out to spring a cup shock against Auchinleck Talbot

Lynch said: “I expect them to be the best team I have faced as a manager.

“Auchinleck could easily – and will do given time – do what Kelty Hearts have done and they will go through the pyramid system.

“I would have had any of the League Two teams coming instead and Auchinleck, you did not want them.”

Tommy Sloan’s Ayrshire outfit sit top of the West of Scotland Football League, having lost just one of their 17 fixtures.

However, Preston come into the game buoyed by their own impressive form and sit second in the First Division Conference B, with a single defeat in 11 encounters.

Lynch said: “This is the best squad of players and group of guys I have had since I have been at the club.

“I can drop one person, whether it is through injury or holiday or whatever, and bring somebody in who is not weakening the team.

“You are replacing one player with someone of the same quality, which makes picking the XI even harder.”

Finally, Tranent made it to the second round last season before going down to League One’s East Fife.

East Lothian Courier: Tranent (maroon), pictured against East Stirlingshire in pre-season, face Lowland League opposition in Broomhill this weekendTranent (maroon), pictured against East Stirlingshire in pre-season, face Lowland League opposition in Broomhill this weekend

Calum Elliot has watched Broomhill, who sit 13th in the Lowland League, and was looking forward to the game.

He said: “We are a good side, a really good side, and we have a good record this season.

“You are always wanting more but we will be definitely going there hoping to win that match. We will be giving everything to win.

“It is a 50-50 game and both sides are pretty evenly matched. They will fancy their chances and we will fancy our chances – it is which group of players deliver on the day.”

Elliot’s men have ambitions of joining their opposition in the fifth tier of Scottish football.

The Belters sit a single point behind Penicuik Athletic at the top of the East of Scotland Football League (EOSFL) Premier Division, although their Midlothian rivals have a game in hand.

The former Hearts striker said: “Our bread and butter is the league – it is the main focus – but for the club, the players and the people that come along and watch our matches, we get that the Scottish Cup is something that has a great affinity to them.

“We want to go and do well on Saturday and see what happens but we will be under no illusions that is it going to be a tough, tough match.

“The boys will be up for it.”