DUNBAR United are not hitting the panic button, despite picking up just two points from their opening four games of the season, according to manager Kevin Haynes.

The Seasiders enjoyed an impressive start to life in the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) last term.

However, points have been harder to come by in the opening weeks of the new Premier Division campaign.

Haynes described the results as “frustrating” but added: “It is not panic buttons, it is not overly upsetting, it is more frustration than anything else.

“We do have good players, good attacking options, and they are creating multiple opportunities.

“It is just that finishing touch, which will come eventually sooner rather than later, hopefully.

“The second season was always going to be more difficult and, equally, the league this year is more competitive than last year.

 

 

“There were two or three teams that offered less quality than the rest, whereas this year everybody can beat everybody.

“Dunipace, who are newly promoted, beat Musselburgh and they are one of the favourites to win the league.

“It is going to be very, very competitive this year.”

Dunbar began the season with a point against Hutchison Vale before going down to consecutive 2-1 defeats away to Glenrothes and Musselburgh.

A further 1-1 draw with St Andrews United at the weekend has them sitting 12th in the Premier Division table.

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Haynes said: “Frustration is probably my overriding emotion.

“We are playing well, creating lots of chances and we are just not converting them at the minute. We have done more than enough to take probably nine points out of the first four games.

“It is just coming down to missed opportunities and missed chances.

“We are playing relatively well and it would be a lot worse had we been really, really poor and not creating anything, but it is just a frustrating part of the game that does happen.

“It is not as if they are just falling to one player and that one player is missing umpteen chances.

“It is falling to an abundance of players and, as a team, as a whole, we are not converting.”

 

 

Saturday brings a break from league action for Haynes and his side, who will welcome West Calder United in the second round of the East of Scotland (Qualifying) Cup.

The West Lothian side are aiming for back-to-back promotions and currently sit top of the pile in the EoSFL Second Division.

Ten points from the opening four games have also included 16 goals scored along the way.

Haynes described the upcoming cup contest as “a nice distraction” from the league and was hopeful that it could kickstart the season.

He said: “If we go and win 3-0, people will say it is expected, we are two divisions ahead, and if you get beat then it is a massive blow and something that people use to start questioning the squad or the club or myself.

“It is a no-win situation.

“The boys will be focused on getting the job done.

“Whether it is 1-0 or 3-0, we need to get that win and be in the hat for the next round.”