GeoSonic Scottish Lowland Football League:

Vale of Leithen 0 Kelty Hearts 4

THOMAS COURTS says he's proud of his Kelty Hearts players after they recorded their third Lowland League win on Saturday.

The New Central Park outfit leapfrogged Vale of Leithen and into fifth spot after Murray Carstairs, Stuart Cargill, Stephen Husband's penalty and Matty Gay secured an emphatic success.

After being held to a 2-2 draw with Edinburgh University last Tuesday night, Carstairs' bullet header in the 27th minute put the visitors in front before Cargill's tap-in 10 minutes from the break doubled the lead.

Husband's spot-kick shortly after the restart all but confirmed the result before Gay's tidy finish from around 18 yards put the icing on the cake.

Speaking to Press Sport ahead of Tuesday night's Football Nation Qualifying Cup second round tie with Edinburgh United, Courts said: "Against Edinburgh University, we were free-flowing and had multiple chances, but we showed a bit of naivety.

"We were still of the mindset that we needed to go for a third or a fourth goal, when we could've managed the game better, but it was a much more measured performance on Saturday.

"The lads are playing well individually and collectively and there are just a couple of wee tweaks that we need to make. It's a case of evolving, and on Saturday, there was an improvement in the way we managed the game.

"We're learning and enjoying the challenge and I'm proud of where we're up to just now."

He added: "I went to watch Vale of Leithen at East Stirling last week and they totally dismantled them. After I saw them do what they did to East Stirling, a team who will want to be up there challenging, for us to go away and put in such a measured and controlled performance was really pleasing.

"We worked on a gameplan and the lads want to take it in and to get better.

"We've had a couple of bloody noses so far but we've got players who can thrive in this league.

"I'm really pleased with where we're at."

Meanwhile, Kelty have been drawn away to league rivals Dalbeattie Star in the first round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

The match between the teams, who drew 2-2 at New Central Park on the opening day of the campaign, will be played on Saturday, September 22.

Alex Jack Cup, second round:

Crossgates Primrose 1 Bo'ness United 2

THE final part of a three-match trilogy between Primrose and Bo'ness saw the eight-man hosts fall to a third narrow defeat.

Having been knocked out of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup in extra time, and losing by the odd goal in three in their East of Scotland League Conference match in their previous two games, Alan Campbell's side were unable to make it third time lucky despite another promising showing.

In a closely-fought first half, Stuart Hunter's header five minutes from half-time gave the visitors the lead at Humbug Park before Crossgates' Mark Wilkie was ordered off seconds after the restart.

A second booking for Ryan McDonald then saw the hosts reduced to nine men before Hunter scored his and Bo'ness' second goal.

Dougie Swan, also for two yellow cards, was also sent for an early bath but the eight men fought gallantly, pulling a goal back from Kyle Brand, but they couldn't force an equaliser.

Campbell commented: "We're disappointed with the result.

"I thought that we started the game really well and were on the front foot. There wasn't much in it in the first half; they're a really physical team and grew into it. We gave away one too many set pieces and lost a goal from one, which was disappointing because I thought we deserved to go in (at half-time) at 0-0.

"The game got killed at the orderings off. They scored a second goal but we rallied, and with five minutes to go we hit the bar. Even with eight men we felt that we could get something out of the game.

"The players felt a bit flat after the game."

Campbell, who felt Wilkie's red card was harsh, added: "We've been competitive across the three games and have to analyse why we've fallen short. It's wee things maybe like switching off at a set piece or the ball not falling for us in the box, and we hope to learn from that and sharpen up against Sauchie.

"What we are doing is making Crossgates a hard place to come. We're looking forward to the weekend."

East of Scotland League, Conference A

Arniston Rangers 0 Oakley United 2

OAKLEY UNITED claimed their first league victory of the season with a well-earned success at fourth-top Arniston Rangers.

Richard Fox's team bounced back from their defeat at Easthouses Lily last time out thanks to goals either side of half-time from Ryan Stevenson and James McAteer ahead of this weekend's derby with Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

After three matches played, the result moves the Blairwood Park men to seventh in the table and Fox said: "It was a good performance. I wouldn't say it was outstanding but it was workmanlike.

"We scored a couple of good goals; there was nice movement for the first one and great composure just inside the box from Ryan Stevenson, and it was a good counter-attack for the second that James McAteer finished after a great turn inside the box.

"Everyone was at a good six or seven out of 10 against a very physical team. We're still down to the bare bones – we only had 12 fit players and a trialist, myself and our goalkeeping coach on the bench – and there is a mindset of holding back, which is understandable.

"But the players had to stand up for themselves so it was pleasing to come away with the three points and no further injuries.

"I should have five back for this weekend, which is our first home game in the league. It's a local derby and one that will take care of itself, but over the piece we've been playing well, working hard and creating chances."

DJ Laing East Region Cup:

Rosyth 12 Coupar Angus 1

ROSYTH boss Brian Muirhead said he was a happier man after his team put a dozen past poor Coupar Angus on Saturday.

After last week's defeat to Newburgh on league business, in which Muirhead felt his said had a legitimate goal disallowed and two strong penalty claims turned down, they hit back in style to cruise into round two with an easy win over the Premier League North's basement side.

Although the visitors equalised Gregg Page's opener, Rosyth took control once Page had netted a second and raced into a 5-1 interval lead.

They rattled in seven more without reply in the second half, with Page and top scorer Tam Hampson netting five each, while Stevie Slimmings and Lewis Hynd grabbed the others.

"The boys were feeling down a bit and we needed a bounce back," Muirhead commented.

"We got it on Saturday and showed on the pitch what we have been doing in pre-season. The game started at 100mph and there were a couple of tackles flying in, and then we made the breakthrough when Gregg Page scored. He deserved it because he runs his heart out.

"If everything we hit had gone in the score could've been double that. It was a comfortable performance and it was good to see the guys switch on for the full 90 minutes.

"It was good to get our foot on the ball and we needed a lift; the players have been trying their hardest but have not had a break or the cushion of a second goal. We relaxed, played football and didn't rush it.

"We've got two big games coming up against Lochgelly Albert and Kirkcaldy YM, and we need to make sure we maximise this confidence."

l Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): GeoSonic Scottish Lowland Football League – Kelty Hearts v East Stirlingshire (3pm). East of Scotland League, Conference A – Oakley United v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. Conference B – Crossgates Primrose v Sauchie. Conference C – Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v St Andrews United. McBookie.com Premier League South – Rosyth v Lochgelly Albert.