DUNDONALD fired an early warning shot on Saturday that they will be up there challenging for the East of Scotland League Premier Division title.

And while Bluebell were firing four past Whitehill Welfare, there was a creditable draw for Crossgates Primrose, defeat for Hill of Beath Hawthorn and a fine win for Lochore Welfare.

 

Dundonald Bluebell 4 Whitehill Welfare 1

AN impressive home win for the ‘Bell with striker Stuart Cargill hitting a double.

The Moorsiders made a good start to the game and grabbed the lead in 20 minutes when the hitman and Jack Smith combined to set up Scott Gilfillan who fired in the opener from 12 yards.

Five minutes later Cargill cut inside and fired an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net to double the advantage, and before the break a third came when Jim Mackie’s long ball caught out the Whitehill defence and Cargill glanced the ball past the ‘keeper.

Five minutes into the second period Scott Durie combined with Cargill to set up Barry Sibanda to slot in number four.

There were other chances for Bluebell, but Whitehill kept working hard and got a consolation goal in the last minute.

Said Dundonald manager Kevin Fotheringham: “It was a really solid performance from the lads who created some excellent chances.

“We were able to make five substitutions to give players pitch time and all in all it was a great day for us.”

 

Crossgates Primrose 1 Linlithgow Rose 1

A VERY good point for the Primrose at Humbug Park against highly fancied Linlithgow - and it could have been even better.

They came so close to winning this Premier League game, losing the leveller with almost the last kick.

Crossgates started well and were lively in attack with Archie Campbell and Brian Ritchie posing problems for the harassed Rose rearguard.

After some close calls for Linlithgow, the opening goal came five minutes from the break when Ritchie found space and put the ball past the visiting ‘keeper.

The second period saw Primrose continue to defend solidly and while Linlithgow upped their game clear cut chances were not coming easily for them.

It looked like Crossgates were going to hold out for a famous win when the visitors got the equaliser with seconds to go.

They'll be gutted how it finished but it's still a grand result for the Humbug men.

 

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2 Tranent 3

BIG spending Tranent came from behind to win this Premier League game at Keirs Park.

The opening 45 minutes was a rather drab affair, with few chances for either side, and it was the hour mark before a really clear opening arrived.

A long ball was pumped to the back post where a Tranent player managed to get a touch and the ball rolled over the line.

Ten minutes later Hill of Beath levelled when Lyle Kellichan’s corner was headed home by Jake Mitchell, and they went in front two minutes later when Lee Wilson’s long kick-out saw Calum Adamson escape the Tranent cover and the winger cleverly lobbed the ‘keeper.

The lead lasted only three minutes though when Matt Wilkie put the ball past his own ‘keeper from close in and then in the closing minutes Tranent got the winner with a 12 yard finish.

Haws boss John Mitchell felt his team had done well enough and added: “The first-half saw very few chances, but when we got ahead we needed to hold the position for 10 minutes or more and to lose an own goal was disappointing.

“Over the piece it was a pretty good performance against a club who have spent a lot of money over the summer.”

 

Lochgelly Albert 0 Oakley United 3

THE Berts lost this Conference B game through some indifferent defending.

They competed well with Oakley and came close in 38 minutes when a Liam Woods shot was finger-tipped over by the ‘keeper.

Five minutes later United went ahead when a low flick was misjudged by the Lochgelly ‘keeper and the ball ended up in the net.

The Berts started the second period well and Joe Meldrum went close but three minutes later Lewis Hynd was sent-off for a second yellow card.

This gave Oakley extra impetus and they grabbed a second goal when a shot through a ruck of players crept into the net.

A third goal put a rather unfair reflection on the game for the Albert.

Berts secretary Iain Patrick said: “We were always in the game but we paid dearly for some bad defensive errors.”

 

Stirling University 2 Lochore Welfare 3

THE Welfare came back from losing two early goals to open their Conference B programme with a three point haul.

Lochore lost an early goal to the student side at Forthbank but created chances, then gave away another before things got worse when the influential Kearyan Hicks had to go off injured.

However, the Crosshill men came back into the contest and in 35 minutes Robbie Crawford fed Ewan Sutherland who finished well to make it 2-1 at the break.

Lochore started the second period well and squared the match with a spectacular 35 yard first time drive from Jamie Leslie.

The university team were struggling now and with 20 minutes to go Logan Donaldson’s corner was headed in by by the diving Joe Dawson to complete a fine fightback.

It could have been more emphatic as Calum Murray hit the bar with a 25 yard strike.

Lochore manager James Adam was delighted with the attitude of his men.

He said: “It would have been easy for the guys to throw the towel in after losing two early goals in very hot conditions, but they kept battling and thoroughly deserved to win.”

 

Fixtures: Wednesday, EoS Premier League, Blackburn United v Dundonald Bluebell, 7.30pm. Conference B, Luncarty v Lochgelly Albert, 7.30pm.

Saturday, EoS Premier League, Blackburn United v Hill of Beath Hawthorn; Musselburgh Athletic v Crossgates Primrose; Tranent v Dundonald Bluebell. Conference B, Luncarty v Lochore Welfare, ; Heriot Watt University v Lochgelly Albert. All kick-offs 2.30pm.