THE weather had another swipe at the local East of Scotland football card at the weekend with only two local matches going ahead.

But these produced two impressive wins for Dundonald Bluebell and Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

Haddington Athletic 1
Dundonald Bluebell 3

THE ‘Bell went to East Lothian looking to collect a win which would kick-start their bid to get into the top five of the East of Scotland Premier League table.

But they knew it would not be easy with the Athletic sitting in fifth top spot, albeit having played five games more than Dundonald.

In the opening stages of the match, Haddington showed why they are in a high position in the table with some good moves, but the ‘Bell defended solidly and started to create chances.

In 20 minutes the visitors went ahead when Scott Cameron created the opening for Kieran Hall and he lobbed the ball over the ‘keeper.

Dundonald were moving sweetly now and five minutes from the break Cameron was lying perfectly to fire home number two.

Haddington came at the Bluebell at the start of the second-half but the visitors also had moments in charge.

Then in 75 minutes the hosts got back in the game with a good finish, and by this time Bluebell boss Stephen Husband had introduced himself and with ten minutes to go he made the key pass which saw Hall looking to add number three when he was pulled down in the box, and Regan Lumsden converted the spot kick to ensure an away win.

Husband was delighted with his team’s performance: “It was a really good showing against a team who have had a good season and we were creating good chances.

“We defended solidly when we had to and all ion all I was very happy with the way we tackled the game. We were a bit short of numbers today through injuries so I had to get involved on the pitch and while I enjoyed the 20 minutes I am not sure if I will repeat it!”

Oakley United 1
Hill of Beath Hawthorn 4

HAWS went to Oakley aware that if they are to get away from the Premier League relegation zone they have to win games like this against fellow strugglers.

In very wet conditions, they started the game well and created a couple of good opening, but the United defence were working hard to keep them out.

Slowly but surely Hill of Beath took a grip of things and three minutes from the break Ross Allum got the opener from a Lewis Payne assist.

Haws started the second period aggressively and on the hour doubled their lead when Allum showed great skill by lobbing the ‘keeper from 20 yards range.

As Oakley started to really struggle, Hill of Beath, struck again when Lyle Kellichan’s corner was headed down by Pat Scullion and Lewis Elder was in the perfect place to add number three.

Haws grabbed a fourth when Payne was in the perfect spot to fire the ball home.

The game was not over though and United pulled one back with three minutes to go.

Interim boss, Darrin Wright, was really pleased with the way his team played: “The weather conditions were awful, with the incessant rain making the pitch very awkward, but we worked really hard and were worth the good win.

“It was important that we won this game, but there is still a lot of work to be done to get to a safe position in the table, and that is our aim.”

Both Dundonald and the Haws then returned to action on Wednesday night on a night of mixed fortunes.

Bluebell welcomed Penicuik to Moorside but the visitors emerged 2-0 winners to leapfrog the hosts into seventh place.

Darrin Wright's rejuvenated Hawthorn, meanwhile, recorded a stunning victory on the road as they bested third-placed Jeanfield Swifts.

The win has propelled them up the table and into 11th place, three points clear of the danger zone with two games in hand over the nearest relegation-threatened club, Blackburn United.

Fixtures:

Saturday - East of Scotland Premier League (2.30pm kick-off): Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Crossgates Primrose, Vale of Leithen v Dundonald.

East of Scotland Second Division - Craigroyston v Lochgelly Albert (2.30pm)

King Cup Third Round - Whitburn v Lochore Welfare (2.30pm)