SATURDAY’S East of Scotland League programme saw a first defeat for Hill of Beath Hawthorn, but there was also a first three point haul for Crossgates Primrose.
Meanwhile there were also victories for Dundonald Bluebell, Lochore Welfare, Lochgelly Albert and Cowdenbeath Central.
Jeanfield Swifts 2 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 0
HAWS’ first Premier Division defeat of the season and it was not a good performance by the Keirs Park side.
The opening 45 minutes didn’t see either side create many chances but before the break a poor challenge in the Hill of Beath box saw league leaders Swifts get a penalty, only for goalkeeper Blair Penman to make a great save from the spot-kick.
The teams were level at the break and in the second period John Smith went close a couple of times for the Fife men.
But just past the hour defender Dan Baur was short with a pass-back which was pounced on by a Swifts attacker and the hosts were a goal in front.
Things got worse soon after for Haws when Lewis Elder’s stray throw-in was picked up by a home player and Jeanfield created goal number two.
The result sees Haws on 12 points from their five games, and in the top six, but manager Robbie Raeside was very unhappy with the performance: “Really only goalkeeper Blair Penman deserved pass marks.
“Both the goals we conceded were self-inflicted and we will have to do a lot better this coming Saturday when we entertain St Andrews United in the preliminary round of the Scottish Gas Cup. It is a very important tie.”
Penicuik Athletic 1 Dundonald Bluebell 3
A FINE win for the ‘Bell which moves them into a mid-table Premier League position.
With several players back from injury, it was a much stronger Dundonald side which travelled to Penicuik and they started the game well with Ross Drummond, and fit-again Lewis McKenzie, both going close.
Then on the half hour the visitors took the lead when a McKenzie knock-down opened the door for Lucas Berry to fire his team in front.
The second half saw Bluebell dominate possession and they grabbed the key second goal when Fin MacLeod Kaye struck.
He gathered a rebound when his first shot was blocked, and coolly beat the ‘keeper.
Penicuik were struggling to put pressure on Dundonald and when the third goal arrived in 70 minutes the game was over as a contest.
Sam Ellis and Drummond worked a good move, and Ellis sent a raging shot high into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Penicuik got a consolation goal with five minutes to go but it couldn’t stop Dundonald leaving with all three points.
Bluebell boss, Jason Dair, was delighted with the performance: “It was good to see close to a full squad on duty and we thoroughly deserved the win.
“It sets things up well for this Saturday’s Scottish Cup preliminary round tie with Edinburgh University at Moorside.”
Lochore Welfare 1 Tynecastle 0
AN excellent performance from the Welfare saw them move into the top four of the First Division.
The former Premier League side, Tynecastle, are a formidable side and Lochore were without key defender Michael Watt due to injury.
But the Fifers made it uncomfortable for the visitors and kept the back door shut with club captain Scott Small stepping in at centre back.
In the opening 45 minutes Lochore dominated possession and went ahead through a good Jude Black finish.
Shortly after the referee pointed to the spot after Ray Reddington was hauled down by the Tynecastle ‘keeper, only for the ref to change his mind after the linesman flagged for offside.
A goal up at the break, Welfare still had chances, although Tynecastle had more possession, and Gregg Page and Reddington came close to a second goal.
Lochore had to defend well late on and in the closing minutes home ‘keeper Dylan Fleming made a fine save to ensure a win which moved them on to 10 points and fourth place in the table.
Lochore boss James Adam said: “We dominated the first half and should have led by more than a goal at the interval.
“They came back at us after the break but a strong team effort ensured a good win.”
Leith Athletic 1 Crossgates Primrose 2
PRIMROSE got their first victory of the season at Leith with a hard working performance.
This was a dour game with both sides finding points hard to come by and chances were few in the early stages.
But Crossgates always looked the likelier side to create an opening.
There were no goals at the break and a disputed decision saw Primrose reduced to 10 men early in the second period, but they kept battling hard and twice came close to taking the lead.
Leith grabbed the first goal but Crossgates kept at it and with 11 minutes left Harris Reid levelled the game.
And in added time the 10 men turned it around with Lachlan Murphy hitting the winner. They're now one point adrift of the safety zone.
Lochgelly Albert 2 Fauldhouse United 0
THE Berts strengthened their position in the top four of the Second Division with this win at Purvis Park.
Fauldhouse have had a good start to the season, after winning promotion alongside Lochgelly, and the opening stages of the game were tight.
United were reduced to 10 men - the second yellow card was for dissent - but five minutes into the second half Albert's Corey Battrick was given a red card.
Lochgelly introduced substitutes Scott Russell and Geordie McKenzie to pep up their challenge, and with 20 minutes to go Russell created a chance for McKenzie who finished expertly to give the Berts the lead.
CJ Johnston started to give United problems and in one raid he was hauled down and Russell converted the resultant penalty.
The result puts Lochgelly in the top four on 10 points and Albert committee man, Derek Patrick, commented: “Fauldhouse are a big and physically strong side but we kept at it and gradually wore them down.
“We were worth the win and it keeps up the momentum.”
Stoneyburn 1 Cowdenbeath Central 3
A FINE win for Central at the home of Third Division leaders, Stoneyburn.
The visitors started positively and grabbed the lead in the eighth minute with a fine finish from Brandyn Coventry.
Both teams had chances as the half unfolded but the ‘keepers did well to keep their teams in the game and at the break the Cowdenbeath team led.
In the second period Stoneyburn tried hard to get back into the game and in 70 minutes they grabbed the leveller.
However, if the ‘Burn thought Central would fold they were wrong.
Cai MacDonald restored the visitors’ advantage and then in the dying seconds Liam Duffy got number three to take them on to nine points from six games, in fourth spot.
Fixtures: Friday - Alex Jack Cup second round, Edinburgh College v Cowdenbeath Central (7.30pm kick-off).
Saturday (all kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated) - Scottish Gas Cup Second Preliminary Round, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v St Andrews United (3pm), Dundonald Bluebell v Edinburgh University (3pm).
Alex Jack Cup second round, Edinburgh Community v Crossgates Primrose, Lochgelly Albert v Edinburgh United, Newburgh v Lochore Welfare.
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