Haws go nap against Boness

There was also a fine top division win for Dundonald Bluebell, but Crossgates Primrose, Lochgelly Albert and Lochore Welfare were well beaten while in the South Challenge Cup Kelty Hearts came back from the Borders with a good win over Selkirk.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 5,

Boness United 1.

AN excellent performance and win for Haws which pushes them into the top half of the Super League table.

With new signing from Berwick Rangers, Darren Watt, partnering Lewis Elder up front the Haws had a real sharpness to their attacking play and Bo'ness were struggling to cope from the early stages of the game.

In 15 minutes Elder was fouled in the United box and took the penalty himself but saw the ‘keeper block his spot-kick only for Calum Adamson to follow up to score.

Ten minutes later Greg Smith’s corner was headed home by Shaun Leishman to double the advantage and before the break Watt knocked the ball on and Elder headed number three.

Things got better for the Haws, who had 16 year-old Jake Mitchell making his debut in midfield, a minute after the interval when Watt sent Adamson clear and he slotted the ball past the ‘keeper.

But at that stage Hill of Beath had a double injury set-back when Russell Grierson and Kevin Connor had to be subbed and Bo'ness took advantage of the changes to pull one back but Haws kept looking for more goals and when it came it was a beauty with Watt knocking the ball down for Smith to volley a spectacular 25 yard shot into the net to complete a great day for the hosts who move on to eighth spot in the table on ten points.

Manager Kevin Fotheringham was delighted with what he saw: “We had a few lads back and we produced the sort of Haws performance we want, with the desire and excellent workrate, creating a lot of chances and bringing good goals.

“Now we have the Scottish Junior Cup this coming weekend but may have to take on New Elgin without Russell or Kevin.”

Dundonald Bluebell 3,

Kennoway Star Hearts 2.

THIS result moved the ‘Bell in to fifth spot in the Super League table but the bottom club made them have to fight for the points.

Kennoway made life tough for Bluebell in the first period although two efforts from Dundonald came back off the post but at the break there were no goals.

The opener eventually came in the 70th minute when Calum Smith finished well and then he struck again to give the hosts a good advantage.

Star came back though and made it 2-1 but Barry Sibanda struck to fire the Moorsiders back into a two goal lead.

There were chances to stretch the advantage but it was Star who were to score when James Lennox blocked a shot but an attacker reacted first to net the rebound although ‘Bell held out comfortably for the win.

Manager Stevie Kay was fairly happy with the result: “Kennoway are an enthusiastic young team who never stop running but we created a number of good chances, although the goals we conceded were poor from our point of view.”

Easthouses Lily 5,

Lochgelly Albert 1.

THE Berts chose the wrong time to produce their worst performance of the season.

Virtually nothing went right for the Lochgelly lads and with challenging Edinburgh United and Pumpherston drawing it was a chance to get back into the South Division title race.

But in 12 minutes they were behind when a corner was headed home, although nine minutes later the Albert twice saw the ball scrambled off the line only for Lily to go up the park and go two up.

A third started to give the scoreline an unrealistic look but things got worse for Berts when skipper Scott Murray was red carded for dissent.

The Albert’s worst first 45 of the term was underlined by a fourth Easthouses goal before half-time, although Josh McPhie saw a free-kick come off the bar.

The second period was better for the ten man Berts’ team but they could not get a goal and a fifth on the hour made the Lochgelly task impossible, although Martin Rennie netted with two minutes left.

Crossgates Primrose 3,

Harthill Royal 5.

PRIMROSE’S South Division defensive problems continued against Harthill at Humbug when they lost a two goal first-half lead.

Crossgates got a great start with a goal from Dale Allan on the half hour and then doubled that four minutes later from a well converted Mark Wilkie penalty.

Harthill had seldom threatened but a minute into time added on at the break Royal pulled one back.

Primrose had to start the second period solidly but inside 13 minutes they went 2-3 down and although there was plenty of endeavour from Crossgates, they just could not get level and with ten minutes left Harthill made it 4-2.

Watt’s strike soon after closed the gap to one goal again but a fifth in time added on completed a bad day for Primrose.

Scone Thistle 3,

Lochore Welfare 0.

LOCHORE knew this would be a tough North Division test but they opened the game solidly and neither side created a lot of chances.

Thistle started to get more possession in midfield and eventually this saw them get the opportunity to grab the lead five minutes from the break following a corner.

At the interval there was enough positivity about the Welfare performance to give them hope for the second period and Adam Haddow was unlucky to see his shot hit the bar and stay out but it was Scone who got the key second goal.

That left Lochore having to push forward and they committed more lads to the attack but lost a late third to seal the result for Scone.

Boss Andy Healey said: “Had young Adam Haddow's shot gone in it could have made a difference but we struggled to create a lot of chances.”

Hearts come home with good win

Selkirk 0,

Kelty Hearts 4.

HEARTS went to play Lowland League Selkirk in the South Challenge Cup first round and two goals just before the break turned the match in their favour.

Selkirk have been having a decent season in the Lowland League so would provide a much sterner test than Hearts have faced recently in the East of Scotland League and that was how things opened.

It looked as if it would take something special to break the deadlock and it came from Kelty’s Errol Douglas who fired a superb rocket shot into the net to give the visitors the edge.

Kelty continued to dominate possession and grabbed number two before the break with a Scott Dalziel header and then in time added on Douglas scored again although it was a little less spectacular this time.

The second period saw both teams have chances but the Hearts defence was in solid form and Selkirk seldom bothered Scott Christie and to cap a fine day for him Douglas completed his hat-trick to seal a good win.

Kelty boss Thomas Courts tweeted: “I really enjoyed that from the lads. Congratulations to Errol in a top team performance.”

Cup time

The Scottish Junior Cup starts this weekend with only Hill of Beath Hawthorn in action when they host New Elgin.

Saturday’s fixtures, Scottish Junior Cup, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v New Elgin. East Super League, Dundonald Bluebell v Sauchie Athletic.

South Division, Lochgelly Albert v Edinburgh United, Stoneyburn v Crossgates Primrose. North Division, Lochore Welfare v Kinnoull. East of Scotland League Cup, Kelty Hearts v Preston Athletic (all games 230pm).