Hill of Beath and Crossgates have to settle for draws

Hill of Beath Hawthorn took a point from their Premier Division match with leaders Broxburn, in West Lothian, while Crossgates Primrose also drew their top division match at Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.

Action from the draw between Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Crossgates Primrose. (Image: David Wardle)

Broxburn Athletic 1, Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1.

PREMIER leaders Broxburn were more than a little lucky to collect this share of the spoils with Haws.

Hill of Beath played against the strong wind in the first period, but contained the Broxburn attacks pretty well and the home side’s frustrations at not being able to fashion a goal, ended with them being reduced to ten men before half-time.

Haws started the second period well and started to create chances, but good work by the home defence kept the scores level.

Then in 74 minutes visiting ‘keeper, Blair Penman, pulled off a fine save and the ball was moved to the other end where Jordan Tosh produced a fine finish to put Hill of Beath ahead.

Broxburn came back into it and they grabbed an equaliser, despite claims for hand ball from the Haws’ defenders in the lead up to the goal.

Then there was more frustration for Haws when Calum Adamson went through, but was pulled up by the linesman despite looking to be on-side, and then soon after the winger had worked his way deep into the Broxburn penalty area when he looked to be fouled as he prepared to shoot.

The game ended square, which was a good result for Haws and it took them on to 38 points and seventh spot in the table, but manager Alan Moody was a little frustrated at time up: “It was a really fine performance from us and we could well have won it.

“We were a few regulars short, but defended well against the wind, although late on were on the wrong end of a couple of decisions. But nonetheless it was a very encouraging performance.”

Action from the draw between Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Crossgates Primrose. (Image: David Wardle.)

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 1, Crossgates Primrose 1.

A GOOD Premier Division point for Primrose but it could easily have been all three.

The strong wind made things difficult for both sides, at Dalgety Bay Sports Centre, but Crossgates made a good start to the game and had a few good openings before they took the lead in 19 minutes through some good finishing from Archie Campbell.

Primrose gained in confidence through the goal and went close again through Marley Sweenie-Rowe, and some good work by Joe Kinninmonth almost produced a second goal.

The visitors could have been in a better position at the break and Swifts worked hard at the start of the second-half at trying to get back into the game.

A couple of good saves by visiting ‘keeper, Miko Komocki, kept the home side out though, and Crossgates were still creating openings with Ross Philp going close for them.

Action from the draw between Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Crossgates Primrose. (Image: David Wardle.)

Inverkeithing were desperate to get a result and kept trying to engineer a goal, and with only two minutes left they grabbed the equaliser.

The result leaves Primrose on 17 points, from 23 games, but they are only three short of the safety zone so they can still avoid any relegation issues.

Saturday’s fixtures: East of Scotland Premier Division - Crossgates Primrose v Musselburgh Athletic 2.30pm, Dundonald Bluebell v Broxburn Athletic 2.30pm. Third Division - Fauldhouse United v Lochgelly Albert 2.30pm. East of Scotland League Cup second round - Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Thornton Hibs 2.30pm, Lochore Welfare v Camelon 2.30pm.