AN EAST Lothian team through to the last eight of a premier cup competition have been told they have “nobody to fear”.

Dunbar United’s under-20s’ side are in uncharted waters as they travel to Greenock in the last eight of the Challenge Cup.

The Seasiders have negotiated a tough draw to reach the quarter-finals and fly the flag alongside Dundonald Bluebell as the last representatives from the East of Scotland Development League.

Stuart Allan, manager of Dunbar United’s under-20s, outlined the scale of what they had already achieved.

He said: “I think it is especially big with being only our second ever year in under-20s.

“There are more than 100 teams that enter the cup from Glasgow to Perth, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“To reach the last eight is quite a big deal.

“We are a very young team and about 70 per cent of the players are Dunbar-based.”

READ MORE: Video: Goalkeeper Sean Brennan the hero as Dunbar United progress

It has been a difficult journey through the rounds for the New Countess Park side, who sit fourth in the East Region table, four points adrift of league leaders Whitehill Welfare.

The first-round draw took the team to Easterhouse FA, where they came through after a penalty shootout.

The withdrawal of Edinburgh City allowed Dunbar to progress to the third round, where they knocked out St Anthony’s 1-0.

Then, in the fourth round, another penalty shootout victory saw them end the hopes of Spartans.

Allan was expecting another tough game when they head west tomorrow (Friday).

 

 

He said: “We are expecting a big, strong physical team, who are scoring goals.

“It will be a tough one but I have said there is nobody to fear.

“The teams are no better than what we have already beaten.”

The impressive cup run and league placing is just part of what the club’s under-20s side are looking to achieve.

A growing number of those involved with the squad have also been selected by first-team manager Kevin Haynes.

Allan stressed that they were keen to help players not only make the step up but to also inspire the next generation of footballers in the town.

He told Courier Sport: “Last season, we saw Gregor Goldie make the step up and he now plays for the first team.

“For a lot of kids, that is the dream.

“We still have Daniel Hall and Calum Richards, who have made debuts, Harry Clark, Adam Collin, and we are probably talking five or six since we started, who have made their debut and played for the first team.

“Then, you are looking at 10 or 12 who have appeared on the bench for the first team.”