MUSSELBURGH boss Joe Hamill is confident his team will get back to their best after ending an eight-game winless run.

Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale was Musselburgh’s first win since a 4-1 victory over Blackburn United at the end of November.

Gregor Woods scored his first goal for the club, while Darren Downie and Jordan Smith both found the net in the final 10 minutes on Saturday.

 

Hamill described the victory, which came seven days after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Tynecastle, as “unbelievable”.

He said: “On Saturday, to a man, we were brilliant.

“Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, they must have been one of the in-form teams in the league. They had a cracking result away to Dunbar last weekend where they beat them 4-1.

“They had other results before that and we knew it was going to be tough but the boys stood up to it.

“The things we asked of them, the tactics, they did, but three goals and a clean sheet were different class.

“I will say it again, there will be more downs even between now and the end of the season.

“There are seven or eight games, plus the League Cup, but as long as everybody sticks together – not just the players but everybody round the club; the fans, the supporters, the committee all need to pull together and we will get through it.

“We work hard in training and hope to get through it sooner rather than later.”

East Lothian Courier: Musselburgh Athletic's (blue) wait for a win finally came to an end as they defeated Lothian Thistle Hutchison ValeMusselburgh Athletic's (blue) wait for a win finally came to an end as they defeated Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale

Despite the winless run, Hamill felt that his team had only put in a couple of poor performances, picking out the showings against Newtongrange Star and Whitehill Welfare.

On other occasions, he said, they had been unlucky and not got what they deserved.

Now, he is challenging the team to ensure their season does not fizzle out.

Burgh sit fifth in the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division but just one point behind fourth-placed Jeanfield Swifts.

The Perth side have three games in hand but Hamill was keen for his team to apply some pressure and pointed to two of the top teams dropping points as proof of the competitive nature of the league.

He said: “Everyone can take points off everybody else.

“Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Tranent Juniors drew 2-2 and Hill of Beath are one of the in-form teams just now.

“Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts just beat Linlithgow Rose.

“I didn’t underestimate the league but I did not realise every game was going to be difficult. There are no easy games between now and the end of the season.”

East Lothian Courier: Musselburgh Athletic boss Joe HamillMusselburgh Athletic boss Joe Hamill

Away from the league, Hamill will be heading to familiar surroundings in the recently drawn League Cup.

The former Hearts midfielder made the short move along the A1 from Haddington Athletic to Musselburgh Athletic earlier this term.

Now, he faces a return trip in the group phase of the competition.

Hamill, who turns 38 today (Friday), said: “They are another team who are flying.

“It is going to be tough but I am looking forward to seeing everybody there again.

“It is a game we will need to be up for.

“Haddington got a wee bit of a bump in the road against Leith last weekend but they won 5-0 at the weekend.

“It is going to be tough and they are playing good football.

“I am looking forward to it but my focus is making sure Musselburgh get the result and hopefully we do that.”