Andy Donlevy Weekly Update

Last week’s game against high flying Tranent was a great fixture to look forward to following on from the disappointment of not taking any points away to Crossgates the previous week.

Tranent were sitting top of the league going into the game, and between themselves and Penicuik, they have both set the standard for the rest of the league to strive for in terms of quality and consistency.

Both Haynesy and I spent time at Tranent as part of separate management teams of the past couple of years therefore know first hand how ambitious the club are and the massive strides they have taken in the last five or six years.

We both knew it would be a very hard game,  and Calum Elliot has them playing superb football. The opening ten minutes were relatively even, although Tranent started to up the pace and if it wasn’t for good goalkeeping/defending, then we could have quite easily fallen two or three goals behind before Jonesy equalised before half time. The movement of the front six of Tranent are hard to defend against but the lads stuck to it.

The second half was more of an even game and we maybe could have snuck a win but for a great save from Swain in the last couple of minutes.

Over the 90 mins a draw was probably a fair result. If Tranent had gone two goals up early,  then it may have been difficult to come back from that and the game would have taken a different direction.

Thankfully they didn’t and in the end we were worthy of a point. The lads showed real resilience to come back twice against a top side and to finish the game strong. A real positive was the impact the subs made and the attitude they showed was brilliant. The quality in depth is showing as we get everyone back.

I’m sure you will all know, but we added to that quality with the addition of Dean Whitson to the squad on Tuesday.  Dean had ironically lined up against us on Saturday for Tranent. Dean isn’t a stranger as he had a successful loan spell with us earlier in the season and we are absolutely delighted to get him onboard. Both Haynesy and I have worked with Deano at Dalkeith & Tranent and we both know his qualities. It’s a great signing to add to an improving squad.

We are in the weird position of not having a game this weekend,  but this gives us a chance to get some extra training in and further preparation for the big game the following week,  as we look forward to welcoming Lothian Thistle HV to New Countess Park for the 2nd Round Scottish Cup tie.

The previous two rounds have seen the town jumping and hopefully we can get as many through the gates to cheer on the lads again. These are special occasions and one we are all looking forward to.

All the best

Dunny

DUFC