ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup: Kelty Hearts 6 Aberdeen University

THOMAS Courts praised his players for completing a “professional job” as Kelty Hearts eased into the next round of the Junior Cup.

The Super League leaders taught the students of Aberdeen University a lesson with a six-goal victory to continue their unbeaten start to the season in both league and cup.

Hearts had the tie wrapped up inside the opening 25 minutes thanks to goals from Neil McCabe, Murray Carstairs and Scott Dalziel but they had to wait until just after the hour mark to add to their tally thanks to Stuart Cargill.

Jason Penman added a fifth with 20 minutes left and, although the students pulled a goal back with nine minutes to go, Craig Thomson wrapped up a satisfactory day’s work for Kelty in the final minute.

Courts said: “The game was always a potential banana skin as they came to frustrate, and sometimes when a team has nothing to lose it can be dangerous. I’ve played against a lot of university teams and they usually have a few hidden diamonds and have good team spirit and they were well organised and energetic – 6-1 was not a true reflection but on the day our higher calibre of players told and it was a professional performance.

“To have a return of six goals is not to be sniffed at and sets us up for a free week. It will allow the boys to recover as we’ve got some meaty fixtures and big games coming up with the likes of Broughty, Lochee and Bo’ness still to play in the Super League.”

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup: Lewis United 1 Rosyth 3

ROSYTH co-manager Kevin Smith is targeting one of the junior game’s big guns after they eased through at Lewis United.

Recs, despite missing five players, were too strong for the Aberdeen-based outfit as goals from Darryll Healey, Michael McMillan and Kenzie Duffy sealed a comfortable win.

Healey’s first goal for the club and McMillan had them two goals to the good at half-time and, although the hosts pulled one back with a deflected shot late on, Duffy wrapped up the win.

Smith said: “We were solid in defence and it was nice to see big Darryll score his first goal for us. I thought we were good in midfield; we moved the ball well and quickly.

“We were missing five players so that made it even better, and I would love to play a big team now, like someone from the Super League.”

Rosyth have a free week this Saturday as scheduled South Division opponents Stoneyburn face a cup replay and Smith added: “I would prefer to have a game but it will give Barry (Cockburn) and I a chance to go and watch another game because we want to strengthen the squad.”

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup: Irvine Meadow 4 Oakley United

OAKLEY’S Junior Cup run may be over for another year but Lee Richardson saw plenty of positives to take into their league campaign.

The Blairwood Park men faced a difficult tie at three-time winners Irvine Meadow and they proved too strong at Meadow Park.

Irvine took a 16th-minute lead with an own goal before Greg Vernon’s neat turn and shot into the bottom corner of the net doubled their lead before half-time.

Despite opening the second half brightly and fashioning some opportunities of their own, a superb Lee McCrea chip from outside the area made the game safe before Graham Boyd put the seal on an emphatic win.

Richardson said: “It looks a doing but I thought that 4-0 flattered them, although they deserved to beat us. I was quite chuffed though.

“Through the full game we had three clear-cut chances and they maybe had six or seven but on another day one or two might go in.

“Lyle Kellachan at left back is only 16 and was outstanding, Tony Doubleday at centre half had a good game and although he’s a wee bit short on match fitness, Scott McCrindle was clever on the ball.

“There were some good signs and the team is starting to take shape.

“There was a good buzz about the changing room and the good thing for me was that there must’ve been a crowd of around 300 there but our young boys weren’t intimidated.

“We want to kick on now and get points in the bag in the league.”

McBookie.com South Division: Crossgates Primrose 2 Kirkcaldy YM 2

PRIMROSE finally registered their first home point of the season at the fourth attempt but were left frustrated not to take all three against a spirited Kirkcaldy YM.

Andy Brown’s side went into the game on the back of a thrilling 5-4 win at Livingston United to maintain their unbeaten record on the road but they had lost all three of their matches at Humbug Park.

Liam Forbes raised hopes that they would finally enjoy the winning feeling on home turf when he fired Crossgates ahead after 24 minutes but the lead lasted only six minutes as a trialist struck back for Kirkcaldy to make it 1-1.

Darren Carroll restored the home side’s lead just after the hour mark and that looked to be enough to seal victory.

But, with just a minute to go, Joe Kinninmonth dramatically pulled YM level for a second time.

The point lifts Crossgates into ninth place in the table but they, along with Kirkcaldy, are the only sides still seeking a first home league win of the season.

Primrose will have another opportunity to get that win with the visit of seventh-placed Easthouses Lily on Saturday.

Both sides ended the game with 10 men and Brown was critical of the referee, commenting: "There were 14 yellow cards and two reds and yet there was not a bad tackle in the game. There wasn't 30 seconds without the whistle going, which suited them as it broke the game up, but the boy dived for the free-kick for the second goal. We didn't play well but that was with a minute to go.

"It won't be an easy game against Easthouses but we'll keep going."

l Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): McBookie.com South Division – Crossgates Primrose v Easthouses Lily, Oakley United v Livingston United.