EOS: Bell get key first Premier win with good performance

While in the South Challenge and East of Scotland Qualifying Cup competitions there was success for Crossgates Primrose, but disappointment for Lochgelly Albert and Lochore Welfare..

Preston Athletic 1, Dundonald Bluebell 2

THE 'Bell headed for East Lothian on Saturday looking to get their first win on the board of the new East of Scotland Premier League season.

And with a slimmer injury list The 'Bell confidence levels were high, but these were slightly dimmed by an injury to one of their defenders in the warm-up.

However, they worked hard in the early stages to contain the Preston team who attacked well.

Then Dundonald started to put together some good raids themselves and they took the led midway through the half with a clever finish from Jake Nicholson.

This saw them step up their game in the run-up to the break, but Athletic defended well to keep the margin to a single goal at the interval.

The Bluebell opened the second '45' positively and there were a few chances for a key second goal which were not taken, but it arrived with Nicholson again finishing well.

There were chances for a third to put the game to bed as the 'Bell controlled the flow of the play, but it would not come for them.

Then in the closing stages Preston were awarded a penalty after an incident in the Bluebell box, and the spot-kick was converted.

This perked up the hosts but Dundonald closed ranks to see out the game and take their points tally on to three from five games.

Bluebell boss, Stevie Kay, was delighted with the result: “Like us, Preston have not had a good start to the season, but they were a decent football team and we had to work really hard for this and deserved to win it.

“We defended particularly well in the closing stages after they pulled one back, and it is great to get that win on the board.”

The manager added it will give the team confidence for this weekend's Scottish Cup Second Preliminary round tie at Rutherglen Glencairn.

Glenrothes 0, Crossgates Primose 2

A GOOD away win for Primrose in this South Challenge Cup-tie at Warout Stadium.

Crossgates started the game well, against a team that have been struggling in the First Division after their relegation last season, but Glens defended well early on.

The visitors created some good chances but the home side managed to keep them out until Luke Mahady got the opener slotting home from close in.

This seem to flatten the enthusiasm of the home side and Crossgates continued to have the better of the possession and before break Scott Hynd, back in action after missing several games through injury, grabbed number two with a typical Hynd finish.

The second period saw the visiting team look very comfortable and while they missed a few openings they moved through to the second round of the Challenge Cup.

Lochgelly Albert 0, Broxburn Athletic 2

LOWLAND League East leaders Broxburn, proved too strong for the Berts, in this East of Scotland Qualifying Cup first round tie, at Purvis Park.

Athletic made a strong start to the tie but Lochgelly defended well and had the chance to go ahead when Calum Bennell got on the end of a cross and his header went just wide.

Shortly after Connor Murdoch also came close for the hosts but Broxburn were dangerous going forward and a powerful shot, after a good move, gave the visitors the lead.

The second-half saw Broxburn dominate possession but in a Berts' raid the visiting 'keeper made a fine save when one of his own defenders deflected a Lochgelly shot which looked to be going into the roof of the net.

However, Broxburn were always dangerous and after the visitors were given a little bit too much space, a good shot from the edge of the box allowed them to get the safety goal.

Lochgelly committee man, Derek Patrick, was pleased with his team's efforts: “This was always going to be a hard game for us, especially as we had seven players missing, but the lads kept working hard and had a couple of really good chances to get a goal.

“It was a very respectable performance against the Lowland League East leaders.”

Leith Athletic 3, Lochore Welfare 0

THIS was a Friday night game for the Welfare when they took on Leith, at Meadowbank Stadium, in an East of Scotland Qualifying Cup first round tie.

Lochore started the game reasonably well and created a couple of decent openings without getting the goal they wanted.

Once they settled Athletic started to create chances but Lochore looked to be right in the tie. Then midway through the half the home side struck when the visiting defence was caught out.

The Welfare battled back into the game and had chances to get level, but none were taken, and before the break Leith struck again to double their lead.

Lochore needed an early goal in the second-half to get right back in the tie and they came close twice but Leith survived unscathed.

The home side kept defending solidly but Lochore's probing attacks kept them in the game, until an incident in the visiting box saw a penalty awarded and it was converted to give the home side a three goal cushion.

Welfare boss James Adam is desperate for his team to have some cup runs this season and was very disappointed with the result.

Cowdenbeath Central 0, Luncarty 1

A DISAPPOINTING result for Central, in this East of Scotland Second Division North West Conference fixture, at Venters Park, but they were very close to getting a point from it despite playing the closing stages with ten men.

The Cowdenbeath side enjoyed the better of the game for long spells, seeing plenty of the ball and pushing the visitors back, although neither side created too many clear-cut opportunities.

Central were also forced into changes at the back at half-time due to injuries, before the game changed again midway through the second-half when Cowdenbeath were reduced to ten men through a red card.

Luncarty were then handed a great opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot, but the spot-kick came back off the bar and despite being a man down, Central continued to push forward and went looking for the winner rather than settling for a point.

The key moment came with with around five minutes remaining, when a mix-up in the Central defence saw the ball fall kindly to a Luncarty player inside the box, who finished from close range to give them key goal.

The result leaves Central in fifth place in the North West Conference.

Fixtures, Friday, Alex Jack Cup first round, Leith Athletic v Crossgates Primrose 8pm.

Saturday, Scottish Cup 2nd Preliminary Round, Rutherglen Glencairn v Dundonald Bluebell 3pm.

East of Scotland First Division, West Calder United v Lochgelly Albert 2.30pm.

East of Scotland Second Division North West Conference, Pumpherston v Cowdenbeath Central 2.30pm.

Alex Jack Cup first round, Luncarty v Lochore Welfare 2.30pm