HILL of Beath Hawthorn maintained their good start to the new East of Scotland League season with an emphatic win at Whitburn on Saturday, and there were other success stories from Lochore Welfare and Lochgelly Albert.
However, there were disappointments for Dundonald Bluebell, Crossgates Primrose and Cowdenbeath Central.
Whitburn 0 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 3
Haws showcased their attacking prowess in West Lothian and the win leaves them sharing top spot in the Premier League after three matches.
Although the hosts had shown promise in their earlier games, they struggled to contain the Fife side, who looked sharp from the outset.
In the opening minute, Joe Dawson nearly put the visitors ahead, but Whitburn settled into the game for a brief period.
However, Hill of Beath soon began to assert their dominance.
They took the lead when Jordan Tosh delivered a cross from the left, which John Smith helped on to Dawson, who finished expertly, scoring off the post on the half hour.
Just before half-time, Hill of Beath doubled their lead when Dan Watt set up Smith, who found the net in style.
And they continued to create chances in the second half.
Both Watt and Smith came close to adding another goal before new signing Jay Bridgeford, who came off the bench, capped off the victory.
The perfect record brings their points tally to nine from three games, alongside Camelon, Jeanfield Swifts and Musselburgh Athletic at the top of the table.
Hill of Beath boss, Robbie Raeside, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance: "We didn’t beat Whitburn last season but this was as complete a 90 minute performance as we could have hoped for, at such a tough venue.
"From our goalkeeper to the substitutes used, the team produced an excellent all-round show."
Dunbar United 2 Dundonald Bluebell 0
Bluebell faced a challenging match in East Lothian after arriving with a depleted squad that was missing seven regulars due to injuries.
Despite this setback, they managed to compete effectively in the early stages.
Dundonald managed to contain Dunbar for the first half hour but just before half-time home striker Dan Hall cut inside and unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike that found the net.
The second half saw United take control of the game, but Dundonald continued to battle hard.
It took a late penalty from Conner Duthie to secure the win.
After three matches, the Bluebell remain mid-table, buoyed by their recent derby victory over St Andrews United.
Manager Jason Dair noted: "We were short in every department for this game and we had to use five of our under-20s, but everyone put in a tremendous effort.
"It would have been a tough ask with everyone fit, but we kept at it although we just were unable to work their ‘keeper enough.
"I’m hoping to have at least two of the injured players back for this week and still working at getting a new striker aboard."
Edinburgh University 1 Crossgates Primrose 0
Crossgates' inability to put the ball in the net saw them fall to their third straight defeat in the First Division.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances at Peffermill, they failed to convert their opportunities into goals, which ultimately cost them the match.
The students side defended resolutely and took the lead in the second half, through Will Antoniuk, which allowed them to play with confidence.
Primrose pressed for an equaliser, but their finishing let them down, leading to another disappointing result.
The uni team celebrated their second win in three fixtures, while Primrose remain without a point after three games, having lost to Whitehill Welfare midweek.
Lochore Welfare 2 Preston Athletic 1
After a surprising defeat to Heriot Watt University, Lochore bounced back with a home win.
They had been 3-0 up against the uni side before throwing it all away and they were still a bit shaky against Preston, especially in the opening 20 minutes, but soon settled and began to take control.
Gregg Page nearly scored with a powerful shot that rattled the bar before Lochore took the lead through a Lucas Reilly free kick, which Ethan Anderson headed home.
It looked promising for the home side until a defensive error, Calum Murray coughed up possession, allowed Preston to equalise just before half-time.
The decisive moment came when Mikey Watt headed in the winner from a Murray cross.
Jude Black had a chance to extend the lead but was denied by a brave save from the Preston goalkeeper.
This victory propelled Lochore into the middle of the table.
Manager James Adam expressed his satisfaction with the team's response: "The defeat by Heriot Watt was a real body blow, but the boys settled into the Preston game and started to create a lot of good openings and were well worth the win."
Edinburgh College 0 Lochgelly Albert 9
Lochgelly bounced back in spectacular fashion after suffering a six-goal spanking from Burntisland Shipyard.
The Berts returned to form with a resounding victory, smashing in nine strikes of their own against the college team to mark their first win in the Third Division.
With several key players back in the line-up, Lochgelly quickly put Edinburgh under pressure.
Dylan Geddes set up Jens Moret for the opening goal.
Corey Battrick and Kieran Annandale supplied the ammunition for Moret to net number two, with Joe Meldrum bagging a third goal and Kieran Boundy making it 4-0 by half-time.
And they didn't ease off the gas, with five goals in the second half.
A long throw helped Michael Fleming score number five, Declan Boyle made it six from a corner and Dylan Fotheringham got the seventh.
Moret completed his hat-trick and substitute Scott Russell rounded off the scoring late on, moving Lochgelly into mid-table with four points.
Committee man Derek Patrick was thrilled with the team's performance: "Everything seemed to go wrong against the Shippy on Wednesday but with a few guys back in action this was a good performance.
"It was good to see the quality of chance creation return along with the finishing power."
Tweedmouth Rangers 1 Cowdenbeath Central 0
In a tightly contested match at Berwick, Central saw their unbeaten record come to an end in a narrow defeat.
The Cowdenbeath men were looking to build on their opening day win against Edinburgh United and they created chances against a determined Rangers side.
Tweedmouth had opportunities too but neither team could find the back of the net.
After the break a goal from Jack Cummings separated the sides, with Central unable to respond.
Despite their best efforts, Cowdenbeath could not break through the Rangers' defence, and Tweedmouth held on for the victory, moving them into the top four promotion spots.
Fixtures
Wednesday: East of Scotland Qualifying Cup second round - Tweedmouth Rangers v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (7.45pm kick-off), Cowdenbeath Central v St Andrews United (7.30pm).
Saturday: Premier League (kick-offs all 2.30pm) - Dundonald Bluebell v Bo'ness Athletic, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Dunbar United.
First Division - Crossgates Primrose v Edinburgh South, Easthouses Lily v Lochore Welfare.
Second Division - Lochgelly Albert v Stirling University.
Third Division - Cowdenbeath Central v Hawick Royal Albert.
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