Hill of Beath, Lochgelly and Crossgates win in East of Scotland League

Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Crossgates Primrose (pictured) and Lochgelly Albert each picked up three points, whilst Lochore Welfare shared the spoils in a Fife derby stalemate.

However, Dundonald Bluebell suffered a tough afternoon at Dunbar United, having gone down to 10 men early in the match.

Haddington Athletic 1 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 4, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

HILL OF BEATH HAWTHORN produced a fine performance in East Lothian to move into a challenging position in the Premier Division.

Haddington Athletic sit sixth in the table, so Robbie Raeside's men were well aware it would be no easy task, but they returned home with an excellent victory.

The Haws started the game well and created opportunities, but good work by the hosts kept them out, before an injury suffered by a Haddington player saw the game held up for some time.

In first half stoppage time, the away side took the lead when Brandon Luke slotted home from Lewis Elder's cross, and they doubled their advantage soon afterwards when Jordan Tosh netted on the rebound after John Smith's fierce shot was blocked by the home goalkeeper.

The second half saw the home side try hard to get back into the game, and they pulled one back with a looping header, but it wasn't long before Hill of Beath regained their two-goal advantage.

A slack throw out by the Haddington goalkeeper was pounced on by Smith, who squeezed the ball into the net, and the points were then made safe when Tosh showed coolness to round the keeper and finish well.

The victory moves the Haws onto 20 points, and into fourth place in the table, ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup, second round tie with Bo'ness United at Keirs Park, and boss Raeside commented: "It was a good overall performance with some excellent openings being created.

"The only down side would be a flat period at the start of the second-half which let Haddington back into the game."

Dunbar United 4 Dundonald Bluebell 1, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

A FIRST HALF red card proved to be a major handicap for Dundonald Bluebell as they fell to defeat at Dunbar United.

A challenge made by Kyle McCulloch, in only the sixth minute, was judged by the referee to be a sending off, and the defender's early departure left Jason Dair's side with an uphill task.

They suffered a double whammy as, from the resultant free-kick, the shot was directed over the defensive wall and into the net for Dunbar's opening goal.

The visitors, however, posed problems and Brodie Strang was unlucky with a good clip shot that was cleared off the line, as they headed into the break a goal behind.

The 'Bell continued to battle hard in the second period, despite being a man short, and Dunbar struggled to extend their lead.

But, with 20 minutes to go, Dundonald's brave defensive work was finally overcome by Dunbar as they doubled their advantage, before adding a third three minutes later, despite a shot being blocked three times by the visiting rearguard.

Dair's men, however, kept battling and pulled a goal back when substitute, Joe Cunningham, latched on to a slack pass from the Dunbar defence and rounded the goalkeeper.

Shortly afterwards, the same player then saw a shot cleared off the line, before Dunbar added a fourth goal in the final minute.

Dundonald sit 11th in the table, with 10 points from as many outings, but Dair was unhappy with McCulloch's red card, commenting: "It did not look like a red card offence and it was a key moment so early in the game.

"The players showed tremendous spirit and fought right to the end, but we really need a wee change in luck to help the cause."

Crossgates Primrose 3 Kinnoull 0, East of Scotland League, First Division

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE maintained their perfect home league record but left it late to complete a convincing win over Kinnoull.

Alan Campbell's side made it five wins from five First Division matches at Humbug Park, a result which leaves them third and in the promotion places.

Craig Henderson gave Primrose the lead midway through the first half, but a second goal didn't arrive until the 89th minute, through Lyall Brown.

Crossgates Primrose made it five wins from five home matches so far this season. (Image: David Wardle.)

Scott Lawrie then added a third goal to leave Crossgates five points behind leaders Camelon, but having played a game less.

"We continued on our good form, particularly at home," Campbell said.

"Over the 90 minutes, we were the better team, created more chances, and scored our goals at the right times.

"It probably was the right score. The fact that the second and third goals came so late, Kinnoull will probably feel hard done by, and they had a couple of late set plays.

"We finished off well and were definitely worthy winners."

Lochore Welfare 0 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 0, East of Scotland League, First Division

LOCHORE WELFARE and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts played out a derby stalemate in their attempts to move away from the bottom end of the table.

The hosts were short of several regulars in what was always likely to be a tight match, and neither side could fine a breakthrough.

There were few clear openings for either side but, midway through the first half, the Welfare were indebted to goalkeeper, Dec Morgan, for making a fine save to keep them level.

Swifts managed to keep a grip on the Lochore attack, despite there being chances, and the result helped the away side move up two places to 11th.

Lochore, however, sit bottom, with three points from nine games, and manager, James Adam, said: "We were down to the bare bones but saw a lot of the ball, huffed and puffed, but created much too little in the way of clear chances."

Edinburgh United 1 Lochgelly Albert 2, East of Scotland League, Third Division

LOCHGELLY ALBERT remain clear at the top of the Third Division after they picked up hard-fought win at Edinburgh United.

The visitors had plenty of the ball in the opening period but clear chances were few, although Calum Bennell glanced a header wide from a good position, and Ruaridh Garvie fired wide.

After a goalless opening period, the Albert stepped up their attacking moves, and Jens Moret started to pose issues for the hosts.

He grabbed the opener when his flighted effort was deflected into the net by the United goalkeeper, and soon afterwards he was defied by their rearguard, after Scott Russell had fired wide after rounding the goalkeeper.

Lochgelly paid for not adding to their tally with 10 minutes to go, when a defensive error allowed United in for an equaliser, but, as the clock ran down, Declan Boyle managed to force the ball over the line for a dramatic winner.

That moved them onto 28 points from 11 matches played, and nine clear of second-placed Hawick Royal Albert, with Berts committee man, Derek Patrick, commenting: "There were a few lads missing for this game and maybe that affected the normal flow from the side, but the team kept working hard and were worth the three points."

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Edinburgh University v Dundonald Bluebell. First Division: Preston Athletic v Lochore Welfare. East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, third round: Crossgates Primrose v Dalkeith Thistle.