Clubs rack up fine results

But for the Haws their crushing win at Easthouses Lily ended up failing to win the title as an equalising goal for Penicuik Athletic managed to clinch the East of Scotland League Conference A gong, pipping the Keirs Parkers by one point.

Easthouses Lily 1,

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 5.

ANOTHER fine win for the Haws but it was simply not enough to win the title for them.

However, they had to come back against Easthouses who took the lead in 35 minutes with a header from a corner.

Hill of Beath had most of the opportunities and it was no real surprise when the equaliser came and it was Lewis Elder who levelled after a rough tackle in the visiting box saw a penalty awarded and he stuck it away.

This saw the Haws take command and Greg Smith fired them ahead with a crisp 15 yard shot on the hour.

Easthouses were now spent force and more goals came with an Elder header in 65 minutes and in 75 minutes Joe Kirby made it 4-1.

Another from Josh Morris completed the win but the Haws players were aware that Musselburgh had been ahead but Penicuik had levelled and Burgh just could not get the winner.

So Cuickie finished on 63 and Haws on 62, real last day drama.

Haws boss Kevin Fotheringham was naturally disappointed at not winning the title but was proud of the way his team kept at it right to the end of the campaign.

He said: “We gave away some silly points during the season but to take it to the last day was really pleasing and over all it was a good league campaign for us.

“Now we have to prepare for what will be a very tough Premier League next season but before that we have cup matches to play and hopefully win.”

Kelty Hearts 0,

East Kilbride 3.

THE Lowland League champions were just too strong for Hearts in their closing fixture.

The opening stages of the match were very tight but Stephen Husband shot just wide in the seventh minute for Kelty.

However, EK stepped up their game and in nine minutes took the lead when a shot curled past Scott Christie.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 when a low cross was turned into the net.

After that Hearts tried to get back into the game but the Kilby defence was keeping all their efforts out and at the break the home side were two down.

Kilby started the second-half well and scored a third to put themselves out of sight in 48 minutes.

Kilby looked the more dangerous team throughout the game and Christie had to make two good saves to keep them out.

However, the season was not a bad one for Kelty and finishing third was no mean feat for them and they can look ahead with hope for next season.

Dundonald Bluebell 5,

Tynecastle 1.

THE ‘Bell needed to win this one at Moorside to all but clinch third spot in East of Scotland Conference B.

Dundonald went into this one with a bit of a patchwork side through a number of injuries and then they had to come back after losing an early goal.

That came from a fine free-kick which found the net but soon after Calum Smith set up Kyle Wilson and he fired the ball in to the bottom corner.

It was 1-1 at half-time but a minute after the break Derek Wallace managed put Bluebell in front fter good work by Lewis McKenzie.

As Tynecastle struggled Smith set up Wilson again and he was in the perfect spot to make it 3-1 with a fine header.

Smith was then on target himself and in the closing minutes a fine volley from Wilson completed his hat-trick.

The result has the ‘Bell close to getting third place with Tranent needing to win their last two games to pip them.

Bluebell manager Jason Dair was happy with the day’s work from his team: “ We were short of a few regulars and lost that early goal to a fine strike but once we got going after the break we scored some great goals.

“Kyle Wilson was in great form and it was a good result.

“Looking at next season we have 14 players re-signed already and we have feelers out for a few new signings so we will see how things develop.”

Crossgates Primrose 2,

Dalkeith Thistle 0.

PRIMROSE ground out this important win which has guaranteed them their place in next season’s East of Scotland Premier League (see Ted Milton's photographs from Humbug Park).

Thistle needed to win the game to stay in the hunt and the certainly gave Crossgates plenty to think about.

But the home side started to gain in confidence and they grabbed the lead in 22 minutes when Darren Aitken provided the finishing touch

There could have been others for the home side but Dalkeith had a couple of half chances although at the break Primrose were in front.

The second period saw the game very tight and Crossgates knew they needed another goal to secure the win they wanted.

But they had to wait until the 78th minute to get it through 'Mr Reliable' Scott Lawrie who made no mistake.

The result put Primrose on 40 points with one game to go and with their goal difference 15 goals better than nearest challengers, Sauchie, they secured their place in the Premier League.

West Calder United 2,

Lochore Welfare 4.

A FINE win in West Lothian has put the Welfare within touching distance of the East Super League.

Lochore started the game well and grabbed an early lead with a good finish from Joe Kinninmonth and the striker had chances to score more before the break.

However, some of them just would not hit the target but West Calder seldom threatened at the other end.

Lochore knew they had to start the second period well and a good goal from Jamie McNeish, after as fine piece of play from Adam Doig, put them in the box seat.

A third came from Matthew Christie, with his first goal from the club, again after great work from Doig.

However, United came right back at them and a goal closed the gap and them eight minutes it was 3-2 as the Lochore defence started to make some bad errors.

Lochore needed a fourth to settle the issue and a brilliant run from Kinninmonth saw his effort came out to McNeish who headed the ball into the net to tie the game up.

The result makes Lochore’s job simple, beat Harthill Royal in Lanarkshire in their last game and they are in the Super League.

However, they are having to wait a few weeks to get the game played as Harthill catch up on their postponed list.

However, manager James Adam is happy to play a waiting game: “We were by far the better side but we missed a lot of good chances before half-time.

“Then at three up we kind of went to sleep and let them back into it but in the closing stages we got the clincher.

“We have to wait to play Harthill but before that we have League Cup business to deal with including a derby against the Albert.”

Kennoway Star Hearts 1,

Lochgelly Albert 0.

THIS Consolation League Cup sectional game was a real close affair with the mid table Super League side struggling to contain the Berts.

The first-half saw Kennoway start spiritedly but Lochgelly were defending well and good chances were few.

However, Lochgelly were dangerous going forward and there were chances for them to grab the lead with Darren Ormiston coming close and then Declan Boyle was unlucky from a Ricki Cooper assist.

Star did hit the Berts’ bar and then a minute from the break came what turned out to be the only goal when a corner was cleared but the shot came in from 20 yards, and with a home forward standing beside ‘keeper Shaun Hunter, the ball flew into the net. It looked a suspiciously off-side situation.

The second-half saw both defences dominate but the Albert sent on 17s Dan Thomson and Glen Marshall and they played their part in the visitors having a couple of good chances with Ormiston forcing a fine save out of the Star ‘keeper.

Said Berts boss Andy Healy: “It was a very tight game and with several lads on the injured list we had to mix things up a bit but the team competed well.

“The goal was a bit controversial but there was a lot to take from the game and new midfielder Ryan Kinness looked impressive.”

The second period saw Lochgelly creating a lot of chances but some good goalkeeping kept them out.

Fixtures, Wednesday, Consolation League Cup, Kennoway Star Hearts v Lochore Welfare , 6.45pm.

Saturday, East of Scotland League Conference B, Crossgates Primrose v Haddington Athletic, 2.30pm.

Central Taxis League Cup first round, Musselburgh Athletic v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, 2.30. Consolation League Cup, Lochgelly Albert v Lochore Welfare, 2.30.