Kelty Hearts 4 Preston Athletic 0, East of Scotland League Cup

THOMAS COURTS believes that Kelty Hearts are acclimatising quickly to life in the East of Scotland League after they dished out another four-goal cup thumping on Saturday.

After seeing off higher division opposition in Selkirk in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup, league rivals Preston Athletic were swept aside at New Central Park as they eased into the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Errol Douglas, who netted a hat-trick last time out, opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he took advantage of goalkeeper Sinclair Inglis’ mistake from a cross ball to fire home from close range.

The home side doubled their lead when Scott Dalziel stooped low at the far post to head home Neil McCabe’s deep cross and made it three in the second half when Stephen Husband teed up Brian Ritchie.

Jordyn Sheerin, returning after a six-month absence, wrapped up the win and Courts told Press Sport: “I think we’re still acclimatising to the league but we’re doing it quickly, and the boys are enjoying it.

“We had a really strong first half but, in the second, we totally blew them away. For the third goal we must’ve had the ball for 90 seconds before we scored; it was a thing of beauty.

“It will give the lads a lot of confidence to win both games 4-0.”

Rosyth 2 East Craigie 2, Scottish Junior Cup

ROSYTH will try again to reach the Junior Cup second round this weekend after being held at home by East Craigie.

Barry Cockburn’s side were on the cusp of reaching the second round as they led by two goals with just 10 minutes to go, but the North Division outfit dramatically hit back to earn a replay.

The hosts led at the interval through Scott Russell and, on the hour, Tam Hampson fired home to double seemingly seal their progression.

But East Craigie had other ideas and, after pulling a goal back when Liam McArtney scrambled the ball over the line, Nick Mann lashed home from inside the area in stoppage time to complete a remarkable fightback.

Oakley United 3 Easthouses Lily 2

LEE RICHARDSON hailed his 10-man Oakley United players for turning the tables on Easthouses Lily.

After two defeats to the Midlothian team last season, they won a topsy-turvy game thanks to Barry Allen and a Lee Duffy double, despite having Joe Dawson sent off.

The visitors opened the scoring but a Duffy spot-kick and an Allen strike turned the game around.

Easthouses levelled before the break before Dawson was red carded five minutes into the second half for a second booking, but Oakley won it when Duffy reacted quickest to head in after his second penalty was saved.

Richardson said: “I was happy with the way we played and handled ourselves. Last season they beat us twice and bullied us, so I was happy that we didn’t get bullied.

“We held out well and the team spirit was really good to watch. When we went down to 10 men, I kept two up front and went 4-3-2 because our fitness later in games is really good. The players have bought into the fitness work we do and they can see it in games.”

Stoneyburn 1 Crossgates Primrose 5

CROSSGATES hit five on the road for the second time this season as they thrashed helpless Stoneyburn.

Alan Campbell’s men, 5-0 winners at Livingston United on the opening day, bagged their third South Division maximum of the season with a comfortable victory in West Lothian.

They took a 33rd minute lead through Mark Higgins and, by half-time, had the game all-but won thanks to further strikers from Dale Allan and Andy Watt.

Watt grabbed his second of the afternoon five minutes after the break as Primrose threatened to run riot before Mark McKenzie made it five with 65 minutes on the clock.

Although the hosts grabbed a consolation, it couldn’t dampen a fine afternoon’s work for the Humbug Park side, who are seventh in the South Division table.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League: Stirling University EOS v Kelty Hearts. Scottish Junior Cup, first round replay: East Craigie v Rosyth. McBookie.com South Division: Crossgates Primrose v Kirkcaldy YM, Livingston United v Oakley United.