Scottish Cup: Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell progress

There was also cup joy for Lochore Welfare, who progressed in the Alex Jack Cup against Peebles Rovers, but Crossgates Primrose were knocked out of the same competition by Whitburn.

Fort William 0 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 8, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Preliminary Round Two

A TREMENDOUS second-half performance gave Hill of Beath Hawthorn their place in the first-round proper of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup.

Fort William, who play one tier below the Highland League in the North Caledonian Football League, put up a stuffy show in the opening 45 minutes as they worked hard to keep tabs on the fleet-footed visiting attackers.

However, their energy-sapping efforts were exploited by the rampant Haws in the second period, in which striker, Jordan Tosh, netted four goals.

The Keirs Park outfit dominated the opening phase of the game but missed a few chances until the opener came from Tosh, who sent a good finish into the top corner.

They could have added to their tally before the interval but, after the break, the Haws struck a magnificent seven.

The goal rush started in 53 minutes when Tosh was on the spot to make it 2-0, following a pass from Lewis Elder and a spectacular finish, and then, on the hour, Brandon Luke fired in number three from a free-kick.

The will of the home players was starting to wilt and a penalty in 64 minutes saw Tosh complete his hat-trick, before he struck again with a well-placed header eight minutes later.

With 11 minutes left on the clock, John Smith's lob over the home goalkeeper made it 6-0, before a double from Ross Allum completed a fine day's work.

Coach Darrin Wright, who managed the side in the Highlands, commented: "It was a very good overall performance with some excellent goals, and being in the first round proper of the Scottish Cup is just what we wanted."

Dundonald Bluebell 3 Edinburgh University 1, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Preliminary Round Two

DUNDONALD BLUEBELL reached the first round proper of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup after wearing down fellow East of Scotland League Premier Division side Edinburgh University at Moorside Park.

Jason Dair's side came up against determined and well-organised opponents from the capital, but were rewarded for having the better of the contest early on when Reece Brown's fierce 25-yard volley put them ahead after half-an-hour.

Although they lose key midfielder, Lewis McKenzie, to injury before half-time, the hosts doubled their lead on the hour thanks to Ross Drummond's well-placed header from a corner.

Five minutes later, however, the students were back in the game when the Bluebell defence failed to deal with a corner and the ball was guided into the net.

The home side remained in charge of the game though, and went close on a couple of occasions before Corey Battrick's long-range effort sealed their place in the next round.

Dair commented: "We had a lot of pressure throughout the game, and missed a few chances, but it was important we won this tie and make progress in the national competition."

Crossgates Primrose 1 Whitburn 3, Alex Jack Cup, second round

EAST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE Premier Division outfit Whitburn proved too strong for First Division Crossgates Primrose in their Alex Jack Cup tie at Humbug Park.

Although clear chances were at a premium, thanks to good defensive work on both sides, the teams attacked well in the first half and shared two goals.

Callum Bremner gave the away side an early lead, heading a deep cross over goalkeeper Matthew Rollo, but Jaxson Lawrie pulled Primrose level on the half-hour mark with an effort from the edge of the box.

With just over 20 minutes to go, Whitburn regained the lead when Harrison Edwards netted on the rebound, after forcing Rollo into a good save, before Ross Crawford's drive moments later wrapped up their win.

Whitburn progressed to round three at Humbug Park. (Image: David Wardle.)

Lochore Welfare 2 Peebles Rovers 0, Alex Jack Cup, second round

LOCHORE WELFARE progressed to round three with a worthy win over Peebles Rovers at Crosshill.

The Second Division visitors defended superbly throughout and made life difficult for their opponents, who play one league above, but seldom looked capable of scoring.

Welfare dominated in the first half and created several chances, which included Joe Kirby hitting the post, Sean Cusick having a goal disallowed, and new signing Jude Black having a goal-bound shot blocked.

Some desperate defending kept James Adam's side out until the 35th minute, when Kirby fired Lochore ahead with a left-foot finish from Scott Warrender's fine pass.

The match continued to flow in a similar manner after half-time, with the hosts creating the better chances, but fine defending continued to keep them at bay.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Lochore did wrap up the tie when another new signing, Ciaran Healy, was brought down in the box, allowing Scott Small to score from the penalty spot.

Adam said: "A good solid show but perhaps we should have scored a few more in the early stages of the game when we were totally in command. Nonetheless we played some good stuff and it was a second successive clean sheet."

Wednesday's fixture: East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Dunipace v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (7.30pm).

Saturday's fixtures (all kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Dundonald Bluebell v Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2.30pm. First Division: Lochore Welfare v Crossgates Primrose. Third Division: Lochgelly Albert v Hawick Royal Albert.