Dundonald to face Brechin City in next round of Scottish Cup

Meanwhile Lochgelly Albert, Crossgates Primrose and Cowdenbeath Central made it into the semi-finals of the Alex Jack Cup - there was also a cup win for Lochore Welfare.

CS Strollers 2 Dundonald Bluebell 3 (after extra-time).

THE Bluebell were the only local side to make round two of the Scottish Cup and have earned an away tie at Highland League side Brechin City.

Taking on Lowland League team, C S Strollers, away from home was a significant challenge for Dundonald but they steadily got into the game and on the half hour Ross Drummond made a good run and his cross was perfect for Jack Wilson to fire the ball into the net.

That was all that was between the sides at the interval, but in the second period Strollers levelled the tie with a spot-kick when Jordan Wright’s challenge was judged a foul in the visiting box and a penalty was awarded.

Dundonald went in search of a second goal and with 10 minutes to go it arrived when Fin McLeod Kay latched on to a through ball and clipped it past the ‘keeper.

Strollers had a man sent off for a second yellow card but kept battling and with virtually the last move of the game they scored to take the tie into extra time.

The first period produced no goals, but the key moment came when Ross Drummond’s cross was headed home by Wilson to take Dundonald into the next round.

Bluebell boss Jason Dair was delighted by the way his team tackled the Lowland League team: “It was a tough game but we played well and created a good few chances.

“It is great to be in the second round and have a tie with Brechin.”

Turriff United 2 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1

HAWS paid the ultimate penalty for a poor first half performance by bowing out in the first round of the Scottish Cup.

Hill of Beath found it difficult to make an impact against the Highland League side in a first period which saw them continually play second fiddle to an eager home side.

Mid-table United started the game well and in the fifth minute they took the lead.

Haws were stunned and in 15 minutes Turriff doubled their advantage to leave the Fifers with an uphill task.

Hill of Beath made changes before the break and then more substitutions at the interval, and they started to take over the game.

Jordan Tosh went close and the Haws finally hit back in the 77th minute from the penalty spot.

John Smith was fouled in the United box and Dan Watt converted to give Hill of Beath hope.

They dominated the closing stages and with almost the lack kick of the game they looked set to equalise but Tosh blasted over from close range.

Hill of Beath manager Robbie Raeside was very unhappy at his team’s show: “This was yet another game where we started the game slowly and let the opposition control play.

“Too often this season we have had to come back into games after playing poorly in the early stages and it has to stop now.

“Once we got going late in the game there were chances to win it but we should have been playing like that for 90 minutes.”

Crossgates Primrose 1 Fauldhouse United 0

A SOLID defensive display guaranteed Primrose a place in the semi-finals of the Alex Jack Cup.

Second Division side United, a big physical outfit, ensured that Crossgates had to work hard to make it through the tie.

The first period saw the Humbug Park men have the bulk of possession, but great defending by Fauldhouse, and some ordinary finishing, saw the interval arrive with no goals.

The second-half saw Crossgates look much more dangerous and they took the lead on the hour with James McAteer on target.

Fauldhouse kept battling hard but Primrose held out to book a last four spot.

Lochgelly Albert 3 Glenrothes 1

THE Berts clinched a semi-final spot in the Alex Jack Cup with this sparkling performance against their Premier Division opponents.

The Second Division home side stunned Glenrothes and their lively attack posed all sorts of problems.

The 120 plus crowd saw the hosts start the game well and both Geordie McKenzie and Scott Russell were constant threats to the Warout side.

There were chances for Lochgelly and in 23 minutes they went ahead when Russell was upended in the Glenrothes box and got up to convert the resultant penalty.

There was almost a second when Corey Battrick went down the wing and his cross saw Russell fire inches wide.

Just before the break Glens levelled when a corner was not properly cleared and a low shot slipped into the net after going through a ruck of players.

The second period saw a lot of end-to-end stuff and Glens forced a number of corners but Lochgelly had chances and in 79 minutes Dylan Geddes went on a great run and fired in number two.

Kieran Boundy got a third goal to make the game safe and secure a semi-final spot against Kinnoull.

Berts committee man, Derek Patrick, was pleased with the overall performance from Lochgelly: “Glenrothes have had a hard season in the top league but they have a lot of experienced players and it was a good open game.

“We did create some really fine chances and were worthy winners and now we can look forward to a semi with Kinnoull.”

Cowdenbeath Central 2 Harthill Royal 1

A FINE result for Central at Venters Park saw them qualify for the semi-finals of the Alex Jack Cup.

It was no easy task for the Third Division side against a team from the league above.

Royal have been doing well in their league but Central started the game positively and took the lead in 13th minute with a fine finish from Brandon Coventry.

There were chances for the Cowdenbeath side to go further ahead but Harthill showed dangerous signs at times and eventually grabbed an equaliser.

The home team still looked more than capable to win the game and with just seconds left a McInness rocket put them into the semis.

Lochore Welfare 2 Stoneyburn 2 (Welfare win 4-3 on penalties).

Third Division side Stoneyburn made life very difficult for Lochore in this East of Scotland Qualifying Cup second round tie at Central Park.

The Welfare had to recast their side through illness, with a completely new back four, and they were shaky early on with home ‘keeper, Dec Morgan forced into some very good saves.

The ‘Burn took an early lead when the home defence were caught out, but Lochore came back into the tie and Sean Cusick fired home the equaliser before half-time.

Ethan Anderson missed two good opportunities at the start of the second period and Stoneyburn regained the lead.

Lochore kept working hard, brought on four subs to impact the game and it paid off with Cusick striking again to level the tie.

They should have clinched it before time-up but some good goalkeeping kept the hosts out.

It was on to a penalty shoot-out and Morgan produced two fine saves to see his team into the third round.

Cusick, Small, Reddington and Page all converted from the spot for Lochore.

Welfare boss, James Adam was delighted with the result: “A bug took its toll on our resources and at the start we were a bit shaky but we started to play well later in the game and were worthy of a place in the next round."

Saturday’s fixtures: (All kick-offs 2.30pm) East of Scotland Premier Division - Dundonald Bluebell v Hutchie Vale, Haddington Athletic v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. East of Scotland First Division - Crossgates Primrose v Luncarty, Whitehill Welfare v Lochore Welfare. East of Scotland Second Division - Harthill Royal v Lochgelly Albert. East of Scotland Third Division - Pumpherston v Cowdenbeath Central.