Scott Bonar pleased as Haddington Athletic show battling spirit

The Hi Hi’s were nearly flawless as they raced to the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) First Division Conference A title last year – winning 25 of their 28 games and suffering just one defeat.

However, their debut campaign in the EoSFL Premier Division has been interrupted by injuries and absences, which has left them fighting for a space in mid-table.

The manager said: “It is intense. We only had a three-week break and it has been all strains and injuries.

“This has been catching up with us but we never had a game for three weeks and had a good rest. I did not organise any friendlies.

“From a personal point of view, I’m delighted with how we’ve done. We can improve, with personnel and players coming back and available.”

Haddington have lost only three of their opening nine games in the league.

Haddington (maroon) and Musselburgh could not be separated over 90 minutes last month

That is despite the team missing key players, including Guy McGarry, Shaun Hill and Gabri Auriemma, for extended periods of the season.

Bonar described sitting in 11th place in the league as “not the best” but urged people to look into “the mechanics” of the situation.

He said: “We have had a lot of injuries. I’m not looking for excuses but at one stage we had nine players out. We had only 10 first-team players and had to play 16 and 17-year-olds.”

Zach Szemis had fired Haddington into an early lead from the penalty spot against high-flying Sauchie on Saturday before the Beechwood Park side hit back with two goals.

It looked as if another narrow defeat could be on the cards for Haddington before Corey Robertson popped up with an injury-time effort from the edge of the box to secure a point.

Bonar felt the togetherness and hard work of the squad was key to their success.

New Haddington Athletic manager Scott Bonar is pleased to be welcoming back players

He said: “It’s just a continuation of bringing in new players and younger ones and getting the togetherness as well.

“A couple came in and maybe struggled to accept how hard we have to work.

“We have not got the budget to go and spend a lot of money on players. We have got to find a gem here or there and develop our own.

“Team spirit is second to none.

“We had a couple of wee chances and were not giving in.

“We were starting to win tackles and you could see Sauchie were getting further and further back – you could feel the goal was coming.

“We had 100 fans there; we had a great travelling support and it was good to send them away happy.”