Football: Haddington Athletic out to spoil potential title party

The West Lothian side need just two points to be crowned Premier Division champions and visit Millfield today (Saturday).

The Hi Hi have enjoyed their own impressive season, on course for a top half finish in their debut campaign in the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL).

Scott Bonar, Haddington manager, was keen to delay any title celebrations.

He said: “It looks like it is inevitable they will become champions and I will be first to shake hands but there will be no guard of honour at Millfield.

Haddington Athletic (maroon) have enjoyed an impressive run of form in recent months

“I have said to the players that it is like a cup final and we will be looking to go and win it.

“Hopefully, Linlithgow can win it at their own ground.

“Hopefully, it will bring a big crowd and the players thrive on that.

“We will not be surrendering meekly and hopefully we can give them a game.”

Haddington were promoted last term after dropping just seven points in their First Division Conference A season.

Also promoted were Oakley United, who edged out Glenrothes and Preston Athletic to the First Division Conference B title.

However, while Haddington have continued to progress and sit in the top half of the table, the Fife side have endured a campaign to forget with just two points from 26 games.

Haddington Athletic (maroon) have enjoyed an impressive run of form in recent months

Bonar was “satisfied” with the position of his team but felt their league placing could have been even better.

He said: “I am delighted we have managed to stay in the league.

“If we came fourth bottom, I would have been delighted if you had asked me that at the start of the season but there have been games where we have dropped points.

“We are seventh and I am still delighted but maybe it is not a true reflection of how we have played throughout the season.

“The players deserve enormous credit.”

A strong second half to the season – with just one defeat in 14 league contests – has propelled the Millfield men up the standings.

Bonar and his team sit just three points off fourth spot and the manager felt there was no need for an overhaul of the squad as they aim to follow in the footsteps of Tranent Juniors and reach the top of the EoSFL.

The manager told Courier Sport: “We need to keep coaching players to improve.

“They have all signed for next season and we will not be scrambling trying to build squads.

“The nucleus is there and we will just add to that.

“Like any squads, you need a couple of quality players to come in and help the current players there.”