IT was derby day in the East of Scotland League and in the local games the winners were Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Lochore Welfare.
For Dundonald Bluebell, Crossgates Primrose and Lochgelly Albert it was a difficult day.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2 Dundonald Bluebell 0
HAWS won the Premier League derby but a serious injury to one of the Bluebell players cast a shadow over the match which did not finish until well after 5pm.
A freak incident in the second-half saw Dundonald defender, Ewan Simpson, seriously hurt and the game was held up as they had to wait for an ambulance to take him to hospital.
Up until then it had been a cagy affair with Hill of Beath struggling to create openings and grateful to goalie Blair Penman for saving what seemed a certain goal from Bluebell front man Lewis McKenzie.
A foul on Haws striker Dan Watt in the Dundonald box saw a penalty for the hosts but Joe Dawson’s spot-kick went over the bar.
Level at the break, Bluebell lost two players through injury in the second period and the home side grabbed the advantage.
Watt, Brodie Gray and Jordan Tosh were all involved in the build up with John Smith applying the finishing touch, but Penman had to save well from Dundonald’s Jordan Wright to prevent an equaliser.
The injury to Simpson happened after he challenged a Haws attacker and fell into railings around the park. The match was delayed for 45 minutes while he was tended to.
When the match re-started Scott Wilson’s through ball sent Jay Bridgeford on his way and his pass was perfect for Tosh to add number two and seal the win.
Hill of Beath are now on 18 points in fourth spot while Bluebell sit on eight points in ninth.
Haws manager, Robbie Raeside, said: “It was a very unfortunate incident which saw the Dundonald player injured and everyone at the Haws hopes he recovers quickly.
“The Bluebell were a hard-working side and it took time to get the goals but the win keeps us in a challenging position.”
Bluebell coach, Graham Nutt, commented: “The Haws ‘keeper had two incredible saves which denied us goals at key times.
“Ewan Simpson sustained a really bad injury and I would like to put on the record my own, and Dundonald’s thanks, for the work of our physiotherapist, and the Hill of Beath committee and physio, for their assistance and their quick decision making which ensured that Ewan has recovered well from the injury sustained.”
Crossgates Primrose 1 Lochore Welfare 3
A FINE second half show from the Welfare saw them continue their good start to their First Division campaign.
It was looking good for the Primrose at the interval but after the break Lochore stepped it up and took the points.
Crossgates started the game positively and grabbed the lead in 26 minutes with Scott Hynd finishing good approach work.
Lochore’s Gregg Page, Jude Black and Ray Reddington all missed decent openings as the visitors tried to level the match.
Welfare equalised in the second half, Page set up Reddington's goal, and momentum swung their way.
Lochore created more chances and they went in front with a neat piece of work from Jude Black.
Primrose tried to get back into the game but Lochore defended well and another fine long-range finish from Black made the points secure for the visitors.
The result sees Lochore on 13 points in third spot and manager James Adam was happy with what he saw in the second half.
He said: ”The first half saw us have a few good chances but our finishing wasn’t great but in the second period we scored three good goals and might have had more.”
Crossgates remain bottom of the First Division table but they are only three points from the safety zone.
Kennoway Star Hearts 3 Lochgelly Albert 1
THE Berts saw some indifferent finishing and defending conspiring to see them lose this Second Division derby at Kennoway.
Lochgelly were bright in the opening spell and Geordie McKenzie came close to scoring but they were caught out when Star Hearts grabbed the lead in 12 minutes.
But they were back level in the 26th minute when a shot was blocked and Dylan Geddes fired home the rebound.
There were chances for the Berts to go ahead but two bad misses ultimately cost them dear.
Slack marking at a corner saw Kennoway get an interval lead.
After the break McKenzie went close before Joe Meldrum hit a post, but just after the hour came the killer third for Star Hearts, again after some poor defending from the visitors.
There was still time for Lochgelly to miss another couple of chances but the result leaves the Berts on 10 points and fifth place in the table.
Lochgelly committee man, Derek Patrick, said: “It was a very disappointing result but really it was self-created.
“We missed a few really good chances and a couple of the goals we conceded were very avoidable.”
Fixtures: Friday - South Challenge Cup second round, Leith Athletic v Lochore Welfare (8pm kick-off).
Saturday - South Challenge Cup second round (kick-offs 2.30pm): Girvan v Crossgates Primrose, Cowdenbeath Central v Bonnyrigg Rose, Dundonald Bluebell v Pollok, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Fauldhouse United, Lochgelly Albert v Thornton Hibs.
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