Football: Kevin Haynes hails Dunbar United after title win

The Seasiders were top of the table for the majority of the campaign but it looked like the title was slipping through their fingers with under 10 minutes to play.

Dunbar had already missed two penalties and were 1-0 down at home to Camelon Juniors, while Kinnoull led at Preston Athletic to put them top of the standings.

However, the destination of the title would swing back in Dunbar’s favour as a Cammy Dawson double – including a stoppage-time penalty – saw the title secured.

It came on a great day for East Lothian football, as Ormiston Primrose thrashed Lochgelly Albert 6-0 to stay in the EoSFL Second Division.

Dunbar United boss Kevin Haynes celebrates the club winning the First Division title

Dunbar manager Haynes, who previously played for the club, said: “I think it is huge, particularly for the players and supporters.

“That is why I go to football every week. It is not for my personal gain but to help and improve players or a team and that brings success to the club. It helps the community and justifies why people pay money to sponsor a player or invest in some way.

“It is number one for me as a manager. It is the only trophy I have won as a manager. I’ve won as an assistant manager but to be at the head of the club and gaining success is great.”

Going into the final game of the season, only three points separated Dunbar in first place and Luncarty in fourth.

The two sides, along with Kinnoull and Glenrothes, all had a chance to be crowned champions.

Just over 20 miles away, Kinnoull were doing their bit in leading at the Pennypit.

Haynes and the Dunbar coaching staff were being kept up to date with scores elsewhere and knew the consequences if the scores had remained the same.

Dunbar United celebrate winning the East of Scotland Football League First Division title after two goals in the final 10 minutes against Camelon Juniors

He said: “It is actually good.

“You can throw a wee bit more caution to the wind if you need to react to the situation, which we did on Saturday.

“We knew with five minutes to go that we had to win the game.

“We threw on forwards, we played Dean Whitson as a striker, and we played with the two centre halves and that was it.

“We just went man for man with the two centre halves and we knew if it was 1-1 we did not win the league and if we lost 2-1 we did not win the league.

“It was risk versus reward on Saturday and that was helped by the situation in the other games.”

Camelon, who were comfortably in mid-table, made the trip east with seemingly little to play for.

But a first-half strike saw them set to continue their unbeaten league streak in the town, which stretches back more than 35 years.

We are still celebrating, here are a small selection of photos from our sniper Gordon Maitland.

To see more photos plus the match from the DUFC legend that is our Laurie Wood.

Please click on the link below ⬇️https://t.co/RMz5e11vi9

👏🖤🤍🏆🍾🏁 pic.twitter.com/sjuCm2krzW

— Dunbar United FC (@DunbarUtd) May 29, 2023

In response, Johnny Edmond missed from the penalty spot before Sean Stewart smashed a second spot kick off the crossbar.

Haynes said: “We definitely did it the hard way, which, in a funny way, is probably better.

“The manner of winning the game, it was the first time we have gone behind and won a game.

“The significance of that is massive and probably testament to the players and the character they showed on Saturday.”

There was time for a late twist as Dawson headed home to equalise and give Dunbar hope of the title.

Then, in stoppage time, the same player sent the visiting goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to spark jubilant scenes.

Haynes said: “That is why he was brought to the club – to score goals.

“He sent me a message in February or March when we left him out.

“He said he would repay me by winning the league and he was true to his word.

“He deserves massive credit, particularly, as we had missed two penalties, but he is confident in his ability, is a confident boy and backed himself.”