SATURDAY’S three cup-ties involving local East of Scotland sides saw wins for Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Lochgelly Albert, with the only defeat being suffered by Dundonald Bluebell.

There was also a fine league success for Crossgates Primrose.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 5 Newtongrange Star 0

MANAGERLESS Haws produced a fine performance that Allan Moody, who last week had to step aside from football due to personal commitments, would have been proud of.

With Darrin Wright and Ross Allum at the helm, the Keirs Parkers made a great start to this East of Scotland Qualifying Cup tie and in 15 minutes Dan Watt fired them ahead with a good finish.

The Nitten, who lead the First Division, were struggling to contain the Premier League side and in 20 minutes John Smith doubled the lead.

With the Haws clicking through the gears, Jordan Tosh made it 3-0 just before the half hour mark.

Star didn’t find it any easier after the break and on the hour Tosh slotted home a penalty to make the tie safe, and then with 15 minutes left the young striker completed his hat-trick.

Wright was delighted with the performance with Hill of Beath safely into the third round.

He said: “It has been a difficult week for the lads with Allan having to step aside, but they responded superbly with a fine show against a team who have been doing very well in their division.

“They truly got stuck in and scored some good goals, and it was fantastic to see young Jordan grab a hat-trick.”

Blantyre Vics 2 Lochgelly Albert 2 (Lochgelly won 4-2 on penalties)

THE Berts went to Lanarkshire and continued their successful run by moving into the second round of the Challenge Cup.

Blantyre started the game well and Lochgelly goalkeeper Josh Park kept his team level by saving a penalty, but in 44 minutes the home side grabbed the lead.

The Fifers were seeing plenty of the ball and had chances to get back into the game, but it took until the 87th minute for Rhuaridh Garvie to find the leveller after a set piece fell to him in the box.

It went to extra-time and the first period saw few chances for either side, but in the second period Garvie, following another high ball into the Vics’ box, put Lochgelly ahead.

It looked like the Albert were going through, then with time running out Blantyre squared the tie.

It was on to a penalty shoot-out and Scott Russell, Scott Houston, Dylan Geddes and Keiran Annandale scored for Lochgelly, while Vics missed one and Park saved another penalty, to guide them into the next round.

Berts committee man, Derek Patrick, said: “It is never easy when you go to Lanarkshire on cup duty and this was typical of that with them posing us plenty of problems.

“But good goalkeeping by Josh Park, and a battling performance from the lads, has earned a second round tie away to Maryhill.”

Crossgates Primrose 3 Preston Athletic 1

PRIMROSE fought back from a goal down in this East of Scotland First Division game to earn three very useful points.

The East Lothian side started the game confidently and took the lead after a decent piece of finishing.

However, Crossgates were starting to look menacing and a minute before the interval they grabbed the equaliser through Brendan Ramsay.

The second period really belonged to Primrose and Llyle Kellichan fired them ahead in 57 minutes. 

Although Preston came back at them, a third goal from Scott Hynd in 67 minutes tied up the points. Crossgates are now on seven points in fifth top spot.

Dundonald Bluebell 0 Troon Juniors 4

A POOR result for the ‘Bell in this Challenge Cup first round tie at Moorside, where they met a good quality West of Scotland League side.

Troon started the game confidently, but the defences of both sides limited the number of openings.

Lewis McKenzie had a chance for Dundonald but sent his back post header wide of the target.

They were made to pay in the 21st minute when the defence switched off and allowed a Troon attacker enough space to open the scoring.

Bluebell tried to get back in the game but the Ayrshire side’s defensive work kept them out, and in 34 minutes the visitors grabbed a second goal.

There was worse to come for the home side with Ross Brown red carded after an incident in the middle of the park, and just before the half-time whistle Troon took advantage to grab a three goal lead.

The second period saw the ‘Bell try hard to get back into the tie, but they needed an early goal to open the door and didn't get it.

There were openings for the Moorsiders but they just could not break through and a fourth goal with two minutes to go underlined what a frustrating day it was for the hosts.

Bluebell coach, Graeme Nutt, was disappointed at the way the first-half developed: “Make no mistake Troon are a very useful side, but the first two goals were in the avoidable category and the red card made the second-half difficult.

"But the lads stuck to their task and kept competing."

Saturday’s fixtures (all kick-offs 2.30pm): Premier League - Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Glenrothes; St Andrews United v Dundonald Bluebell. First Division -Crossgates Primrose v Kirkcaldy and Dysart; Thornton Hibs v Lochore Welfare. Third Division - Lochgelly Albert v Pumpherston.