East of Scotland League: Wins for Hill of Beath and Crossgates

Elsewhere, Crossgates Primrose are just three points off the First Division summit, whilst Lochgelly Albert returned to the top of the Third Division.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 4 Edinburgh University 3, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

HILL OF BEATH HAWTHORN were given a scare as Edinburgh University threatened to pull off a miraculous fightback at Keirs Park.

Robbie Raeside's Haws appeared to be heading for a big victory after establishing a four-goal interval lead, but the game turned after half-time as the students fought back.

The hosts had to work hard to pick up another three points, which leaves them four behind leaders, Jeanfield Swifts, in fifth - having played a game fewer.

Scott Runciman's neat finish after only three minutes gave Haws the advantage and, just nine minutes later, Jordan Tosh doubled their lead, sending a drive wide of the goalkeeper after getting free in the Uni box.

Haws found themselves four goals up at the break. (Image: David Wardle.)

The visitors started to get into the game, but could not fashion a goal, and just after the half-hour mark, Scott Clapperton made it 3-0 with a well-placed header.

Then, with nine minutes until half-time, a a break between Tosh and Dan Watt saw the latter move into the Edinburgh box, where he was hauled down.

He then picked himself up to tuck away the resultant penalty to put Haws four goals to the good, but, if the home fans were looking for an avalanche of second half goals, it didn't come.

The University greatly improved and pulled on back in 64 minutes, which gave them confidence, and they further reduced the deficit 10 minutes later.

A nervy ending was then set up for the Haws when the students scored a third with six minutes to go, but they held out to move on to 16 points.

"We played superbly well in the first-half and were well worth our four goal lead, but for 20 minutes or so we seemed to fall out of the game and, credit to University, they took advantage to get bang back in it," Raeside commented.

"To be fair, we started to play with authority again in the closing 15 minutes, but the lads are aware they got a right kick-up the backside in the second-half and know that they will have to play on full throttle for the entire 90 minutes when we play Tynecastle away in the Scottish Cup this Friday night, to earn a place in the second round."

Hutchison Vale 0 Dundonald Bluebell 1, East of Scotland League, Premier Division.

A LATE goal gave Dundonald Bluebell a win on the road and has helped them move into the middle of the East of Scotland League, Premier Division.

The opening 45 minutes saw defences dominate the respective attacks and there were not many chances created.

The second period saw the 'Bell forwards start to create chances, but the Hutchie goalkeeper dealt well with several decent finishes.

However, in the closing ten minutes, as Dundonald strengthened their grip on things, Regan Lumsden was set-up by Ross Brown, and his angled shot flew into the bottom corner of the net.

The home side were not finished though, and in the closing seconds a home forward got space, but his shot came back off a post, and the danger was cleared, to ensure an away win which takes Dundonald on to 10 points from eight games.

Dundonald manager, Jason Dair, was pleased with his team's performance, commenting: "We had a number of players back for this game and we defended solidly and in the second-half created a number of opportunities.

"It was good to get a win which will boost confidence levels, as we prepare for this Saturday’s Scottish Cup first round tie with Highland League side Inverurie Loco, at Moorside, who are sitting third in the table so it will be a tough game."

Crossgates Primrose 3 Arniston Rangers 2, East of Scotland League, First Division.

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE moved to within three points of the First Division summit with a well-deserved win over Arniston Rangers.

Alan Campbell's side were three goals to the good, and cruising to victory, before their opponents pulled two goals back inside the final 11 minutes, but the hosts saw the game out.

Scott Hynd's ninth minute penalty, following a good counter-attack, gave Crossgates the initiative and they went on to dominate, especially after half-time.

A second goal of the afternoon for Hynd, in 66 minutes, and a third, netted by Blair Paterson, was reward for Primrose's play, but they conceded with 11 minutes to go when Ryan Burrows scored.

Jack Burrows then scored a second for Arniston, with five minutes to go, but Crossgates held out for a fifth win from seven league games, to sit in fourth place.

Crossgates Primrose were winners over Arniston Rangers. (Image: David Wardle.)

"I thought, for 75 minutes, that was as good as we've played for a long time, certainly this season," Campbell said.

"In the second half, we completely dominated from the kick off right through. We scored two and we could've scored another couple - had it been four or five, it wouldn't have been undeserved.

"I think 3-0 or 4-0 would've been a fair reflection, but that's football for you. If you switch off for a second, you can be punished.

"It's maybe a wee wake-up call for them, but I'm happy with the performance and the result."

Blackburn United 6 Lochore Welfare 3, East of Scotland League, First Division

THERE were goals galore at Blackburn United in this East of Scotland League First Division clash but, unfortunately for Lochore Welfare, they only managed three of them.

In the opening five minutes the visitors, who only had 12 fit players, were denied a penalty when Joe Kirby appeared to be hauled down in the box, and they suffered a double blow when they fell behind eight minutes later.

Gregg Page broke clear and had an opportunity to equalise, only to see the United goalkeeper pull off a good save, but as the Lochore defence struggled to settle, the hosts scored a second goal.

James Adam's visitors came back into it when Logan Donaldson pulled one back with a 20-yard strike, and they had chances to level the game, not least when Kirby struck the crossbar.

However, Blackburn broke to score and make it 3-1 with a goal in the 37th minute, which came from some poor defending, and they added a fourth less than 10 minutes into the second half direct from a corner kick.

Kirby then netted for Lochore, to make it 4-2, but within five minutes, their opponents went nap.

Although the Welfare kept at it, and created another couple of good chances, United netted their sixth goal with six minutes left, before Lucas Reilly scored a further consolation for Lochore in stoppage time.

The result leaves Lochore bottom of the table, and without a win in their opening seven games, but are just six points behind the teams sitting just outside the relegation places.

Adam commented: "It was a bit of a mad game really.

"Despite being short of a lot of players through injury and suspension, we created a lot of chances, but gave away some soft goals."

Ormiston Primrose 0 Lochgelly Albert 1, East of Scotland League, Third Division

LOCHGELLY ALBERT returned to the top of the Third Division after a one-goal success at Ormiston Primrose.

Although the mid-table hosts gave the Berts a tough test in East Lothian, the visitors created a number of chances in the first half, but their finishing was a bit off-target.

They did, however, make the breakthrough in 39 minutes when Scott Russell worked space for himself in the Ormiston box.

His angled shot was blocked by the home goalkeeper, but new signing, Kieran Boundy, was on hand to blast home the rebound.

Lochgelly then had further opportunities to stretch their lead after the break, but didn't take time, although Russell was unlucky to hit the post with 15 minutes to go.

There was a scare for the visitors in the closing stages when a Primrose forward broke clear but, as he advanced on the goalkeeper, he fired wide.

The Berts held on to move on to 16 points, and go one clear of Hawick Royal Albert, and committee man, Derek Patrick, said: "We created an awful lot of good chances, although some of the shooting wasn’t up to our normal standard, but it was good to win the game and get back on the top of the table."

Friday's fixture: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, first round: Tynecastle v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (7.30pm).

Saturday's fixtures: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, first round: Dundonald Bluebell v Inverurie Loco Works (3pm). East of Scotland League, First Division: Leith Athletic v Crossgates Primrose (2.30pm). East of Scotland League, Third Division: Lochgelly Albert v Newburgh (2.30pm). Alex Jack Cup, third round: Lochore Welfare v Kirkcaldy and Dysart (2.30pm).