JOE Hamill has called on his Musselburgh Athletic team to keep playing football on the deck – even after dropping two points on Saturday.

Goals from Conor Thomson and loan signing Aaron Murrell saw Musselburgh come from two goals down to rescue a point against relegation-threatened Hill of Beath Hawthorn (see match report on Page 46).

The player/manager had mixed feelings about the result but praised his team for sticking to their principles in challenging conditions.

He said: “I thought we were very good.

“I know football is about opinions and they had chances but we tried to play football on a poor pitch just because it cut up and it was soft.

“I said to the players to play the conditions but never get away from trying to get the ball down and still play.

“We will give teams chances, no matter who it is, because we want to pass the ball, keep it moving and it will make mistakes.

“That will give chances but I want the boys to play football, otherwise what’s the point in having good players if we just thump it?”

The draw in Fife saw Musselburgh remain fourth in the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Premier Division.

Murrell’s strike to secure a draw was the on-loan Spartans man’s second goal in as many games for Burgh.

East Lothian Courier: Joe Hamill is urging his team to keep playing good football, despite dropping points in challenging conditions in FifeJoe Hamill is urging his team to keep playing good football, despite dropping points in challenging conditions in Fife

Hamill praised the new addition and told Courier Sport: “It was some finish.

“Just the angle we were at, we were right behind it all the way.

“It was a great finish and I am happy for him.

“I have known Aaron for years and his goal record at Spartans was unbelievable.

“He got a move to Dundee United and then Berwick Rangers and he certainly knows where the net is.

“He just needs game time and to come in and score two goals in two games is a great way to start.”

Hamill, who swapped fellow East Lothian side Haddington for Musselburgh earlier this season, will be hoping that the 24-year-old can continue his fine form in front of goal this weekend when Musselburgh head to Whitehill Welfare.

The Ferguson Park outfit are propping up the 18-team table at the moment but the former Hearts midfielder was taking nothing for granted.

He highlighted the strength of teams in the division and pointed out that many thought Newtongrange Star were certainties to be relegated a few weeks ago, only to win three games in a row and lift themselves off the bottom.

Hamill said: “A couple of defeats and you shoot right down the table.

“A couple of wins and you are sitting pretty.

“We are just halfway and I have said to the committee there are going to be plenty of ups and downs between now and the end of the season.

“We might go on a run of not winning and we are unbeaten in six or seven games just now.

“If that run continues, I will be happy but I know there are going to be weeks where it is not great.

“We will just work harder to try to turn it round.

“Our aim is to finish as high as possible and take it from there.”