No fears for Haddington Athletic as next chapter of Scottish Cup fairytale awaits

The East Lothian men caused the shock of the round in their second preliminary tie away to BSC Glasgow just two weeks ago, knocking out the Lowland League high-flyers – who got all the way to the fifth round before facing Hibs in last season’s competition – with a 3-2 victory.

That result was unprecedented for the HiHis, who are taking part in the Scottish Cup for the first time, so anything they can achieve in the competition from now on will be seen as a bonus. Cornet just wishes they could allow fans in to make Saturday’s occasion all the more special.

“We’ve had a decent start to the season and the boys are playing with a bit of confidence. We are not really fearing going out and playing against a team that is two tiers above us, it’s a free hit for us because we aren’t expected to win the game,” said Cornet.

“Not having any fans is a bit of a nightmare considering it is our first-ever home Scottish Cup tie, but at least our committee will be able to watch it. Our president Drew [Donaldson] has been involved with the club since he was in his 20s [over 50 years]. Everyone is toiling just now, so it would have been a big occasion for the locals. We’ve got a good wee set up down there and they are all nice folk.

“It is a big game, if you get through the preliminary rounds it means a lot to the club financially, so it’s a bit of a shame they can’t get a good backing from the fans and boys’ families.

“We just have to hope we can get through a few more rounds and then by then the restrictions will be hopefully be down.”

Haddington, managed by former Hearts youngster Joe Hamill, will have to do without their 36-year-old player-boss, who was sent off late in the previous round. The Millfield Park men have the bonus, however, of being able to wake up on Boxing Day at a reasonable time, unlike their Highland League visitors, who’ll make an early morning journey down from Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire.

Hamill has left no stone unturned in their preparation for tomorrow with three training sessions this week, their final run through taking place this morning ahead of a Christmas Eve sleep dreaming of what might be coming on Boxing Day.

Cornet continued: “I would imagine it will be Boxing Day they will be travelling down, which isn’t nice. I watched their highlights from this week and they look a big physical, really good side and they are doing alright up in the Highland League as well, so we know what it expect.

“I doubt we will change how we play, we play positive football, we always try to get the ball forward. Against BSC I think they were a bit shocked because with 15 minutes to go in the first half we started popping it about them a bit. We’ve kind of shut the back door a bit this season, because last season we lost far too many goals, but we’ve hardly conceded much at all this season.”

Elsewhere, East Lothian neighbours Tranent continue their first foray in the competition as they welcome Lowland League East Stirlingshire to Foresters Park.

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