IT was a good weekend for three of the local East of Scotland sides, with wins for Lochore Welfare and Crossgates Primrose and a high scoring draw for Cowdenbeath Central.
But it was a particularly bad day for Lochgelly Albert, while Dundonald Bluebell suffered a frustrating home reverse.
Dundonald Bluebell 0 Haddington Athletic 1
THE 'Bell had the bulk of this Premier League clash but could not get a goal and were hit by a late penalty to give the visitors to Moorside an unlikely win.
Pointless Dundonald were missing nine players for this one, so several under-20s players stepped up and they helped the side move forward and pose a lot of difficult moments for Haddington.
While they dominated possession, they were not getting any shots on target and with Athletic having the same problem it was no surprise that at the break it was 0-0.
The second period saw Bluebell's Jens Moret go clean through but he could not beat the 'keeper, then Jake Nicholson got into a great position but failed to hit the target.
Haddington were hanging on and caught a break when Dundonald hit the bar.
And with three minutes to go they took full advantage when a slack pass let Athletic break upfield and when the visiting forward moved into the box he went down in a tackle and the referee pointed to the spot.
Tom Davies converted for the visitors to claim the three points.
The result leaves the 'Bell without a point from their three games and manager Stevie Kay said: “We were very naive and really should have scored.
"We had the vast bulk of possession but didn't really get any shots on target.
“It was a bit sickening really, for our 'keeper basically didn't have a save to make.”
Crossgates Primrose 3 Kinnoull 2
A LATE winner in a five goal thriller gave Primrose an important First Division win which keeps them only a point off the top of the table.
The first period saw some entertaining play from both sides and the teams shared two goals in the first half with Lyle Kellichan striking for Crossgates.
Kinnoull kept producing some good moves and they scored again but the home side were also dangerous and Dylan Geddes levelled.
Could the teams finds a winner? It eventually arrived for Crossgates with a fine goal from Mark McKenzie to clinch all three points.
The win sees Primrose on eight points from four games with them tucked in behind the leading clubs.
Lochore Welfare 3 Bathgate Thistle 1
ANOTHER First Division win for the Welfare which sees them in joint top position with Leith Athletic.
Lochore started well and Ray Reddington and Logan Donaldson brought out fine saves from the Thistle 'keeper, but the former got the opening goal with a smart turn and left foot shot.
The flow was towards the Bathgate goal and there were a number of shots fired but at the break it was still 1-0.
Early in the second period a Joe Kirby free kick flew into the top corner of the net to double the lead and put Lochore in total control.
There were other chances for the home side, but a slip by Matty Christie let Bathgate in to pull one back and suddenly they sensed they could get something from the game.
Sean Cusick replaced Gregg Page and when he was pulled down in the Thistle box Reddington converted the penalty to restore the two goal gap.
In the closing minutes Harris Sutherland and Cusick both went close with the former seeing a good effort blocked on the line by a defender.
Welfare boss James Adam was delighted with the performance which takes them on to nine points from four games: “We were much more like ourselves and created a lot of chances.
“It is good to be up there in the top spots and we have to keep up this type of form.”
Heriot Watt University 5 Lochgelly Albert 0
A DIFFICULT day for the Berts at The Orium as they suffered a hammering in this First Division clash.
Still short of a few regulars Lochgelly found the students tough to handle on the artificial surface and they found themselves five goals down just after the hour.
Yet in the 15th minute Scott Russell went close for the Albert but five minutes later a free-kick into the Lochgelly box was not dealt with and the ball was bundled home.
Then eight minutes later they were two down when a 20 yarder flew high into the net.
The Albert managed to escape further damage before the break but six minutes into the second half a free kick was perfect for a well placed header, then in 56 minutes some poor defending by the visitors brought a fourth for the university.
When a 63rd minute penalty made it 5-0 there were fears of a real drubbing for Albert but they kept battling and didn't concede any more goals.
Lochgelly lie in 10th spot in the table with six points from five games.
Albert committee man, Derek Patrick, admitted: “It was a poor day for us, we didn't really create a lot of danger and we were punished for some bad defending."
Cowdenbeath Central 3 Stoneyburn 3
THIS was a real thriller of a Second Division North West Conference fixture, at Venters Park, with both teams producing a host of good moves.
The Cowdenbeath team made the best possible start with a well taken goal from Ryan Yapoudjion giving them a first minute goal.
But it was not long until Stoneyburn were creating chances and they pounced to equalise in 22 minutes, then six minutes later the visitors went ahead.
Brandyn Coventry added another to his growing tally of goals to level the game in 28 minutes, but the dangerous 'Burn side went in at the break ahead with a well taken strike.
The second period saw Central take a real grip of the game and they created a lot of chances with Harris Kay squaring the game.
They could have won it but missed one or two good chances in the closing stages and a point apiece was how it finished.
Central stay in second top spot of the table with this well earned point.
Fixtures: Wednesday, Premier League, Dundonald Bluebell v Camelon (7.30pm kick-off).
First Division, Crossgates Primrose v West Calder United, Lochgelly Albert v Kirkcaldy and Dysart (both 7.20pm ko).
Second Division North West Conference, Cowdenbeath Central v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts (7.20pm).
Saturday, Premier League (all kick-offs 2.30pm), Preston Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell.
Second Division North West Conference, Cowdenbeath Central v Luncarty.
South Challenge Cup, Glenrothes v Crossgates Primrose.
East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, Lochgelly Albert v Broxburn Athletic, Leith Athletic v Lochore Welfare.
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