Crossgates 6 Rosyth 2

CROSSGATES Primrose enjoyed the joy of six on Saturday as clinical finishing ensured they claimed derby day honours against Rosyth.

Alan Campbell’s hosts had been beaten by the odd goal in three in the reverse fixture back in August but an emphatic display – including a memorable home debut for Scott Hynd – saw them turn the tables in style.

Both teams went into the game at Humbug Park – which went ahead following tireless efforts by members of Primrose’s committee 24 hours before – in good form.

Crossgates had won four of their previous five league matches while Rosyth, under the stewardship of caretaker boss Ryan O’Connor, were encouraged by a 5-1 home demolition of Livingston United last time out.

A close encounter was anticipated but the contest exploded into life with just six minutes on the clock when Hynd, who burst onto the scene in 2013 when he became Alloa Athletic’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 15, fired the home side ahead.

Crossgates doubled their advantage shortly before the half hour mark thanks to midfielder Jamie McNeish before centre back Andy McDonald made it 3-0 just two minutes later.

The Rec did pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time when Chris Hughes put through his own net but Hynd, who scored as a trialist in Crossgates’ last outing at Craigroyston, restored their three-goal advantage three minutes into the second half.

Dale Allan added a fifth seven minutes later, and although the prolific Tam Hampson grabbed another for the visitors 10 minutes later, it was scant consolation as McNeish claimed his second of the afternoon to complete a fine day’s work for the home team.

Campbell commented: “It was a good performance and I’m pleased to get the result.

“I think we fairly dominated for the whole game; we got slack just before half-time and lost goal, but everything was in our favour.

“It was a good day for us. It wasn’t really conducive to get the ball down because it was a bumpy pitch, but the committee did really well to get the game on, which I was really pleased about.

“There are two-to-three boys who are the type of guys that would take a couple of days off their work to help; they’re worth their weight in gold.

“The quality of our goals, particularly the first couple, were high quality finishes and maybe earlier in the season we would’ve missed that composure in front of goal.

“Collectively everyone played their part and was on their money.

“Scott Hynd, Dale Allan and Jamie McNeish, who all scored, were all a threat but they’d be the first to tell you that they were backed up by the service from their team-mates.”

Crossgates are just six points adrift of second-top Edinburgh United, but Campbell added: “We’re not getting carried away.

“It’s the old cliche but we’ll take each game as it comes and focus on Livingston this week.

“But I think we’re unbeaten at home since October, so we’re building a lot of momentum.”

Kelty 5 Tynecastle 0 East of Scotland League

KELTY HEARTS warmed up for an intriguing cup tie with Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale by comfortably maintaining their title push on Saturday.

They knocked five past Tynecastle – reaching a century of league goals in the process – as the table-toppers extended their perfect record to 16 matches.

Lothian, who have played six matches fewer but also have a 100 per cent record in the league, hosted Thomas Courts’ in-form outfit in the semi-final of the East of Scotland League Cup last night (Wednesday), with Tynecastle facing Leith in the other tie.

However, in a closely-fought match, Kelty went down by the only goal.

Games between Kelty and the captial club are likely to decide the destiny of the championship – and whether the West Fifers will be in next season’s Lowland League – but this win over another Edinburgh side kept their bid on track.

The home team opened the game strongly and took the lead when Brian Ritchie latched on to a pass on the right side of the penalty area, showed good skill to leave a Tynecastle defender grounded with a Cruyff turn before passing for Ross Philp to slot home from 12 yards.

The same player doubled his, and Kelty’s, tally soon after when he knocked in the rebound after Elliot Ford’s driven shot across goal was pushed well onto the post by the unfortunate visiting goalkeeper.

Courts’ side continued to probe, with Scott Taylor-McKenzie coming close with a left-footed free-kick, before Philp almost made the visitors pay for slack play between the keeper and his defence with a well-saved shot.

A third goal did arrive when, after a strong run down the right, Ford’s cross was met in the air by Stuart Cargill, who got just enough power on his effort to send the ball over the line for his 25th goal of the season.

Jordyn Sheerin saw a lovely turn and vicious shot saved well before Kelty added a fourth goal thanks to Neil McCabe, who fired in an angled shot after Tynecastle had given the ball away to Ian Nimmo midway inside their own half.

The scoring was completed when Errol Douglas rolled the ball into Sheerin’s path for an easy close-range finish.

Courts said: “Tynecastle posed us a few problems earlier in the season so we wanted to start the game well, and Ross Philp did well to slot two early goals.

“Stuart Cargill’s early goal in the second half was just what we needed and it gave us the impetus to record a good win. It was a great team effort and I am personally pleased for Ian Nimmo and Jordyn Sheerin, two lads who have had to work back from injury and are now producing it on the pitch for the club.”

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): McBookie.com South Division - Crossgates Primrose v Livingston Utd, Edinburgh Utd v Rosyth, Oakley Utd v Stoneyburn. East of Scotland League - Kelty Hearts v Coldstream.