LIAM Burns is hoping that the weather gods are smiling upon his side after seeing yet another game postponed.
Musselburgh Athletic have only managed three games since the middle of November, with six postponements along the way.
The most recent came on Saturday when their trip to Crossgates Primrose was one of just two games called off in the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL).
This weekend brings a trip to the Gibbshill Park home of Harthill Royal for an East of Scotland Qualifying Cup clash which has already twice fallen victim to the weather.
Burns described the call-offs as “frustrating” and said: “We had a good start to the calendar year in terms of wins against Haddington and Dunbar.
“We thought we could kick on but we have just not been given a chance with games being called off.
“It is very, very frustrating and it is hard to balance in terms of fitness work.
“I don’t care what anyone says, you lose an edge if you are not playing games.
“Even friendlies, there is nothing the same as the event when the match ball comes out.”
The latest postponement did allow the Honest Toun team to complete a trio of signings.
Burns has added former Preston Athletic goalkeeper Ross Jardine alongside attacking duo Jonny Court, previously of Raith Rovers and East Fife, and Aiden Walsh, from near-neighbours Tranent.
Welcome Walshy!
— Musselburgh Athletic (@MusselburghAth) January 30, 2024
We are delighted to announce the signing of 20 year old striker Aiden Walsh from Tranent.
The youngster has been on Manager Liam Burns radar for quite some time and he is thrilled to finally have Aiden here with us at The Burgh.
Great to have you here Aiden! pic.twitter.com/vQzDXXwLzS
The manager was happy to make the additions and revealed that 20-year-old Walsh was someone he had tried to sign “three or four times”.
He told Courier Sport: “I received word from Tranent that there was a possibility to get a deal done now.
“We managed to do that and, to be fair, it was literally done in about an hour and a half.
“Matty Thomson (assistant manager) at Tranent was brand new.
“We got a bid accepted, agreed terms and managed to sign Aiden for the next two-and-a-half years.
“He is exactly what we are looking for.
“He just gives us something a bit different in the final third with pace and trickery.”
The three signings will help Musselburgh in their bid to reel in long-time league leaders Broxburn Athletic.
Musselburgh’s inactivity on the pitch has seen them slip to third in the EoSFL Premier Division behind Hutchison Vale.
At the same time, Broxburn have opened up a 16-point advantage over Burns and his team, who do still have three games in hand.
The two sides are due to meet at Albyn Park later his month and Burns was full of praise for the title favourites.
He said: “They have won the games and got to where you want to be.
“They have put the physical points on the board but for us it just stays the same.
“We take it one game at a time and focus on Harthill and make sure we get in the next round.
“We treat it as the most important game.
“Over the course of the season, you can be lucky in certain games but the best team wins the league.
“Things go against you in one games, big players are missing or whatever, but you cannot be lucky over the course of the season.
“The team that is best over the year will win the league.
“We take it one game at a time and our frustration comes from the fact we got a good start to the calendar year and just games being off.”
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