ONLY Crossgates Primrose’s game at Glenrothes was postponed on Saturday and the East of Scotland programme saw fine wins for Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Lochore Welfare.

Meanwhile Lochgelly Albert earned another point as they bid to improve their league position.

Dundonald Bluebell 1
Hill of Beath Hawthorn 3

A VERY tight Premier League derby was only really settled in time added on at Moorside.

The first period saw very few clear-cut chances created by either side and there were no goals as the teams changed around, but both sides started to create openings.

However, it took until the 71st minute for the opening goal to come when sub Jordan Tosh provided the perfect finish to a good cross into the Bluebell box.

Six minutes later he struck again when he cut inside and sent into the ‘Bell box and finished well.

But two minutes from time Dundonald pulled one back, when James Mackie’s shot took a deflection on its way to hitting the net.

Ross Drummond’s shot drifted wide soon after, but three minutes into time added on Haws clinched the points when another sub, Cai Macdonald, showed good poise to get number three.

The result puts both teams within a point of each other, with the Bluebell on 22 points in eighth spot, and Hill of Beath a point behind them on 21, with two more games played.

Haws boss, Alan Moody, was pleased with the way his players got an important away win: “There was nothing between the sides throughout the game, but I was delighted with the way Jordan and Cai settled into the match when they came on, and they finished well.

“We defended well when we had to, as Bluebell are a good side but our players were outstanding.”

It was only the ‘Bell’s second game in eight weeks, due to the poor weather, but manager Stephen Husband was not looking for any excuses: “It has been a frustrating spell, with all sorts of postponements, but Hill of Beath deserved their win for taking their chances.”

Lochore Welfare 3
Oakley United 1

A GOOD First Division win for the Welfare which has greatly improved their position in the table.

The Welfare made a great start to the game and were two up in 11 minutes.. The first came from Calum Murray after fine lead up work and then Joe Kirby netted after some good creative build-up.

It was all about the home side and Logan Donaldson and Cammy Bell came close to making it 4-0.

Oakley improved in the second period but a fine save from Calum Reid kept the score at 2-0 and Bell and Donaldson almost added to the home tally.

United kept at it and pulled one back to make it a slightly nervy ending but Donaldson made it 3-1 to ensure the points were staying in Crosshill.

The result saw the Welfare's points total rise to 18 and two above the bottom three clubs and manager James Adam said: "Good to get the win but we could have won by a bigger margin and avoided a nervy ending."

Lochgelly Albert 2
Hawick Royal Albert United 2

ANOTHER hard working performance from the Berts as they took a point from fourth top of the Third Division Hawick.

The Borders side have been having a much better season but Lochgelly created a few chances in the opening 45 minutes with a Ruairidh Garvey header, following a corner, going close to given them a break lead.

However, five minutes into the second period Hawick took the lead after a bit of slackness from the home side.

Lochgelly were soon back in the picture with some good raids and Martin Woods and Scott Russell both went close.

Then on the hour they levelled when Woods struck from close range and then Owen Dews went close but in 72 minutes Hawick broke and a one-on-one situation saw them restore their lead.

The Berts were not beaten though and they came roaring back into the game and ten minutes from time Innes Marr sent over a cross-cum-shot which deceived the Hawick ‘keeper and the ball floated into the net for the equaliser.

The result takes Lochgelly on to14 points from 17 games as they edge closer to the middle pack of clubs in the table and committee man Derek Patrick was impressed by the performance :”To come back twice from going behind was very encouraging and we played some good stuff against a very physical side.

“We want to keep collecting points to get ever nearer to the mid-table clubs.”

Saturday’s fixtures: East of Scotland Premier League - Crossgates Primrose v Broxburn Athletic (2pm), Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (2pm). East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Third Round - Dundonald Bluebell v Haddington Athletic (2.30pm). King Cup First Round - Lochore Welfare v Edinburgh Community 1.30pm.