RICHIE Weir has urged his Ormiston Primrose side to keep it in their own hands in their bid to avoid relegation.

A draw at Easthouses Lily MW on Saturday pulled the county side level on points with Newburgh, who sit third bottom of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Second Division.

Ormiston pulled off a remarkable escape last season to avoid relegation on the last day and the long-serving manager is confident that his side can match that feat again in 2024.

He said: “Last season, we found ourselves in the same predicament.

“We kept ourselves within touching distance and then went on that run last season.

“That is what we are capable of this season.

“There are a few games coming up and two or three wins could pull you away from the bottom three and other teams are thinking we are going on a run like last season.

“We are heading in the right direction.”

East Lothian Courier: Ormiston Primrose manager Richie WeirOrmiston Primrose manager Richie Weir (Image: Newsquest)

Edinburgh United are currently the team just above the relegation zone but they are only two points better off than the New Recreation Park men.

Ormiston twice led in Midlothian at the weekend and held the lead going into the dying seconds, only for the hosts to equalise from a corner.

Despite the setback, Weir was pleased with his team’s showing and felt it highlighted that they were capable of getting results.

 

 

He told Courier Sport: “I’m happy with a point but definitely would have been a lot happier with three points.

“The way we played in the second half and the chances we created, we had enough to win a couple of games.

“Their goalkeeper had three wonder saves and kept them in the game.

“Their goalkeeping coach was saying they did not know how he kept them in the game.

“It was one of those days where every opportunity he pulled off a save.

“It’s a point at Easthouses, which is a very hard place to go.”

East Lothian Courier: Ormiston Primrose face Vale of Leithen tomorrow (Saturday)Ormiston Primrose face Vale of Leithen tomorrow (Saturday) (Image: Newsquest)

The quest for league points takes a back seat this weekend as Ormiston are in second-round King Cup action.

First Division Vale of Leithen make the trip to East Lothian looking for something to cheer about.

The Borders side have suffered consecutive relegations and are staring the possibility of a hat-trick of demotions in a row in the face.

Currently, the Victoria Park side sit bottom of their division with 11 defeats from 11 games and 11 points from safety Weir was hopeful that his team could pull off something of a shock against the former Lowland League side and secure their place in the next round.

He said: “Hopefully, home advantage will play into our hands.

“They have not had the best couple of seasons.

“It will be a tough game but one we fancy our chances of winning and getting into the next round. Winning the game is significant with the confidence we have from how we played on Saturday.

“They are coming in off another defeat and there will be hard work in training.

“Vale of Leithen will present a different style to how we have matched up against Easthouses Lily."