Football: Scottish Cup history to be made by East Lothian clubs

Dunbar United, Musselburgh Athletic and Tranent all progressed in the first round at the weekend and face intriguing ties at the end of next month.

Dunbar’s reward for knocking out Edinburgh University is a second round home tie with Scottish League Two outfit East Fife, while Musselburgh also have League Two opposition in the form of Clyde after they defeated Gretna 2008.

Tranent’s prize for defeating Hutchison Vale is an all-Lowland League contest with big-spending East Kilbride.

Kevin Haynes, Dunbar United manager, felt his side had done enough to deserve the 3-2 win over the Capital side and his club could now look forward to an historic day.

Tranent (maroon) bounced back from a goal down to knock Hutchison Vale out of the Scottish Cup

He said: “From the players’ point of view, they have to focus.

“We have got five hard games before then and the players have to put that day on the backburner and focus on the bread and butter, which is our league, and to give themselves the opportunity to play in that game.

“From a club perspective, there is hard work now in terms of arranging everything that we need to arrange.

“There is extra stuff like hospitality, programmes and stuff like that.

“The club is on the ball now but the players need to focus on the games before that.

“I have said that every SPFL club would probably bring a decent travelling support.

“It is something new and fresh for them and 90 per cent of them have probably never been to Dunbar before.

“They will travel well and I think we will get a lot of engagement from the community.

“I would be expecting the biggest crowd we have had in my time at the club.

“I would expect us to get four figures at the game.”

Tranent (maroon) bounced back from a goal down to knock Hutchison Vale out of the Scottish Cup

Meanwhile, Liam Burns was pleased to see his Musselburgh team come from a goal down to take the match to penalties and secure their spot in the second round for the first time.

Clyde, who picked up just their fifth win of 2023 on Saturday, will visit Olivebank next month.

The Honest Toun team manager said: “I think it is a good draw and I am very happy it is at home.

“I think given the support on Saturday, I think our supporters deserve another game at Olivebank.

“Every round, I always say I want a home draw and we managed to get that. The committee will be very happy getting a few quid through the gate.”

The Musselburgh boss was also quick to praise giant goalkeeper Daniel Laing for his performance in the shootout.

Tranent (maroon) bounced back from a goal down to knock Hutchison Vale out of the Scottish Cup

Musselburgh tucked away all four of their spot kicks and Laing was on hand to make a difference when the Lowland League side stepped up.

Burns said: “Daniel has got a good record and has already saved a penalty this season.

“He is a very, very good goalkeeper for us and has been in really good form.

“He was good last season and has upped his level even more this year.

“Simply, I would not like to take a penalty against him – he is six foot seven inches and can hang on the crossbar!

“I think if he guesses the right way then he has got a good chance of saving it.”

Finally, Tranent also came from a goal down to book their place in the second round as they defeated Hutchison Vale 4-1.

Ian Little was pleased with his team's character against Hutchison Vale

The victory made it five wins out of five for boss Ian Little and the Belters will now face an East Kilbride side who sit just four points above them in the Scottish Lowland Football League.

The manager said: “It is a home tie against, obviously, a good team.

“They are probably favourites for the league and we have got them the week before in the league.

“It was a good result on Saturday and I don’t think there are any easy games in the Scottish Cup.

“This is no different.

“They are doing really well, have got a really strong squad and we will have to be at our best to get some form of victory.”