IN the East of Scotland League games on Saturday there were good results for Dundonald Bluebell, Lochore Welfare and Crossgates Primrose.

However, Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Lochgelly Albert both lost on the road.

Tynecastle 1 Dundonald Bluebell 3

THIS was the Bell’s first Premier League game since December 3 but there was nothing rusty about their performance in the capital.

They took the lead in 10 minutes when Regan Lumsden sent over a fine cross and Barry Sibanda powered a header past the goalkeeper.

Dundonald were in charge of the midfield and a second goal arrived with a good finish from player/assistant boss Calum Smith.

However, Tynie came back at the ‘Bell and before the break they pulled one back, when Sibanda hauled down a Tynecastle attacker in the Dundonald box and the resultant penalty was converted.

Bluebell needed a third goal to move into the safety zone and they achieved it after a flowing move was rewarded with a fine Lumsden volley.

The result takes them on to 27 points from 16 games, and they sit in seventh place with a top five finish within their sights.

Manager Stephen Husband was pleased with the performance and said: “We haven’t seen much action since the end of November, but the lads played well and created some good chances.

“Now we have a Challenge Cup tie at home to Shotts Bon Accord on Wednesday night, and if we win it, we will go through to meet Newtongrange Star away. If we don’t get through we will face Jeanfield Swifts in the league at home, and the lads are looking forward to some hectic action.”

 

Linlithgow Rose 3 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1

THE Premier League leaders saw off the Haws’ challenge in a tough battle at Prestonfield.

Having seen little league action in recent weeks, with Rose having played league and cup matches, Hill of Beath found the going difficult and went behind in five minutes.

Two minutes later a good Linlithgow move saw a clear opening created which was converted to double the lead, but from that point on the Keirs Parkers came into the match.

A ball over the top was latched onto by Lewis Payne and he cut inside to fire a good shot past the goalkeeper.

Early in the second-half a Mikey Watt cross was perfect for Dan Baur, and his fierce header came back off the bar. Hill of Beath continued to create chances but Linlithgow held firm and wrapped up the win with a third goal 10 minutes from time.

The result means that Haws are on 17 points, just above the bottom three sides. Blackburn United are on the same points, but with an inferior goal difference, and Hill of Beath travel to face them on Saturday in a crucial basement battle.

Haws boss Jason Dair admitted his men’s lack of games had an impact: “It was always going to be a tough game, but losing the early goals made things that more difficult.

“At 2-1 we had a couple of chances to get back on level terms, but we could just not get the key goal. However, the ball is very much in our court, if we win the games in hand we can move three or four places up the table so it is up to us to produce the results.”

 

Penicuik Athletic 1 Crossgates Primrose 1

A GOOD performance from Crossgates secured an away point although they'll be disappointed after letting a lead slip at Penicuik.

Primrose fielded a strong side and got off to a perfect start. In their first serious attack, after four minutes, Craig Reid fired them in front and it gave them the confidence to pose Athletic real problems.

His header, following a free-kick, gave the goalkeeper no chance and there were more chances with Archie Campbell and Mark McKenzie going close.

Penicuik fought their way back into the match and levelled in 34 minutes. That was the way it stood at the break, and both sides had chances in the second period, but clear openings were few.

Primrose are in fifth spot, two points ahead of Penicuik.

 

Lochore Welfare 4 Leith Athletic 2

A FINE win saw Welfare climb out of the First Division relegation zone but they had to come from behind to claim the points.

Leith took an early lead, against the run of play, but Lochore fought back and a Euan Sutherland pass set up new signing from Rosyth, Greg Page, whose shot flew high into the net.

It was level at the break but five minutes into the second period Sutherland and Robbie Crawford combined to supply a fine pass to Joe Kirby who slotted the ball into the net.

Then came a fine team goal, with the move started by goalkeeper Dale Wotherspoon. The build-up play involved five players before Kirby headed home.

Leith pulled one back after springing the offside trap and soon after Lewis Morton had to clear an Athletic effort off the line.

But with 10 minutes left Crawford ran 40 yards, beat three men and fired a fine shot over the goalkeeper to secure the win which moves Lochore out of the relegation zone by one point.

Manager James Adam said: “Now that we have a full squad available, we played some good stuff and really should have scored more than four goals. It is up to us to take advantage of the games we have in hand and move ourselves well up the table.”

 

Edinburgh South 4 Lochgelly Albert 3

THE Berts again threw away a winning position to leave them languishing in second bottom place in the East of Scotland Second Division.

Lochgelly went a goal down in 15 minutes when a shot crept in from the edge of the box, but just before the break they levelled through Lee Celentano’s smart finish.

Seven minutes into the second-half some slack defending saw Edinburgh regain the lead, but Albert rallied and after a Celentano shot was blocked Scott Renton was on the alert and he shot home.

With just over 15 minutes to go Lochgelly went in front, when a shot was handled by a South defender and Celentano converted the spot-kick.

It looked like Lochgelly could ease their relegation problems but poor marking let Edinburgh in to level. And with a minute of time added on they conceded again to lose the match.

It's left Lochgelly on nine points from 20 games.

Berts committee man, Derek Patrick, said that the team continues be punished for making key errors at key times: “Like at Easthouses, a couple of weeks ago, we went into the last 10 minutes in a winning position, but conceded two really bad goals to lose the match.

“It is frustrating to lose again, after scoring some good goals, and looking the better side for so long in the match.”

 

Fixtures: Today (Wednesday) – Challenge Cup third round, Dundonald Bluebell v Shotts Bon Accord (7.30pm).

Saturday – East of Scotland Premier League (2.30pm kick-off unless stated), Oakley United v Crossgates Primrose (2pm), Blackburn United v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Dundonald Bluebell v Jeanfield Swifts (depending on Wednesday’s Challenge Cup third round result).

East of Scotland Second Division, Lochgelly Albert v St Andrews United (2pm). King Cup second round, Heriot Watt University v Lochore Welfare (3pm).