Late goal denies Rosyth but Primrose march on

McBookie.com Premier League South

A LAST-GASP goal denied Rosyth a winning start to the new junior season as they were held by Bathgate Thistle.

The hosts, playing on the astroturf pitch at the Fleet Grounds after leaving Recreation Park, were aggrieved at what they felt was an offside leveller but took heart from a much-improved second half performance.

Aidan McKee put the visitors ahead but, after the break, hitman Tam Hampson equalised with a well-taken lob from 25 yards out.

After Mark Higgins was brought down in the box, Hampson stepped up to slot Rosyth ahead from the penalty spot but, despite creating further chances to seal victory, Thistle snatched a point when Darren Dalrymple netted in stoppage time.

Muirhead reflected: “We didn’t turn up in the first half; it’s the worst we’ve played. There was loads of energy and aggression, but there was no flow and I felt like we were a wee bit inexperienced.

“I thought that, when we were on the ball, it was a bit rushed and we were drawn into situations we shouldn’t have been drawn into.

“But we came out in the second half and dominated for long spells, controlled the tempo and the pace. After the first half, we’d have probably taken a draw but if felt like a defeat after the second half performance.

“We’re a work in progress but there are loads of positives to take from it.”

Sauchie 1 Crossgates 2

East of Scotland Qualifying League

ALAN CAMPBELL saluted his Crossgates shock-troops after they reached the knockout phase of the East of Scotland League Cup.

Primrose sealed second spot in in Section C after a late goal from Darren Aitken handed them victory at Sauchie, who competed in the Super League last season, on Saturday.

The Humbug Park outfit had been drawn in a difficult group that included Linlithgow Rose and Penicuik Athletic, who had finished second and third in junior football’s top flight respectively, but draws with both set up a winner-takes-all clash at Beechwood Park.

A 15th minute own goal handed the visitors the lead and, although Craig Donaldson equalised just after half-time, Aitken’s fine goal seven minutes from time gave Crossgates the win and took them through with Penicuik.

Campbell said: “I’m really pleased. We probably had the better of the first half and scored a scrappy goal, but we should have added to it before half-time.

“Our goalkeeper had to come off with concussion and then we were forced into another change when Ryan McDonald hurt his hamstring, and it threw us a bit.

“We lost a goal but we regrouped and the last 25 minutes was a great game. It could’ve went either way; it ebbed and flowed, but we scored with around five to go and managed to see it out.

“It was a great performance and brilliant to get through. We were unbeaten across the three games, and we were away for two of them, so to pick up five points is a really good start.”

He added: “Confidence is through the roof but it’s about maintaining those standards.”

Stirling Uni 3 Inverkeithing 5

Bonnyrigg 10 Inverkeithing 0

MAKING “small steps” is the aim for Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts after they suffered contrasting fortunes over the space of four days.

After opening their Section F campaign with defeat to Hill of Beath Hawthorn, a fine 5-3 success over Stirling University (EOSFL) last Wednesday was followed by a difficult afternoon against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic on Saturday.

The Super League champions of 2016 proved to be too strong for Lee Richardson’s newcomers, moving seven goals clear at the break before adding three more in the second period.

Richardson said: “The game came a wee bit too early for us.

“We’ve only played six games and have built the team from scratch, but they (Bonnyrigg) were fantastic.

“The way they moved the ball was a joy to watch.

“It’s something we need to strive towards, but I said to our young guys afterwards don’t dwell on it, because we won’t play teams of that quality every week.Some of the guys have never played at that level before, so it’s small steps for us just now.”

Richardson was keen to take positives from their first win before the Bonnyrigg game, which came courtesy of Craig Morrison and two goals each from Callum Strang and Ryan Cowie.

He added: “We did look vulnerable at the back but, from middle to front, we played really well.

“And when we lost the ball, we pressed well.

“We’ve got another tough game at Edinburgh United, who were a decent junior team, on Saturday before the biggie for us next week against Linlithgow Rose in our first league game.”

Oakley 1 Jeanfield Swifts 3

Oakley 0 Bo’ness United 3

RICHARD FOX insists his side have proved their senior capabilities despite going out of their East of Scotland Qualifying League group.

The Oakley United boss said he was “reasonably happy” with his team’s efforts in Section I despite watching them lose out to two sides who competed in junior football’s Super League last season – two divisions above the West Fifers.

After an impressive win at Leith Athletic in their opener, Oakley hosted Jeanfield Swifts last Wednesday but misfortune with injuries saw them forced down to nine men late on, having made all three substitutions.

They had led through James McAteer’s goal but, after the double injury blow, goals from Robbie Holden, Paul Simpson and Kiffy Scott gave the Perth side victory.

A point would have been good enough to send the Blairwood Park men through but, despite holding Bo’ness to a stalemate in the opening 45 minutes, they fell behind shortly after the break when Ross Campbell opened the scoring.

Further efforts from Marty Wright, and then Marc Kelly two minutes into stoppage time, sealed Oakley’s fate and gave the visitors the win.

However, Fox, who is hoping to add “one or two” more new signings, said: “Jeanfield are a very good team and, since I’ve been back involved at this level, I’d go as far as to say they are the best team we’ve played.

“We have to take the positives. It was a very good performance and we scored a fantastic goal from James McAteer just after half-time.

“Against Bo’ness, we went into half-time at 0-0 and it was very much an even game.

“The scoreline was a bit unfair but I’m reasonably pleased with the standard over the three games.

“They were three tough games but we showed we are equipped to compete at this level, and it gives the boys belief that they can.”

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): Alex Jack Cup, first round - Crossgates Primrose v Eyemouth United, Edinburgh United v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Penicuik Athletic v Oakley United. McBookie.com Premier League South - West Calder United v Rosyth.