Oakley United 3 Kirkcaldy YM 0

NEW Oakley United manager Richard Fox praised his side’s effort after he began his reign with a comfortable win over Kirkcaldy YM.

The former Clyde under-20 head coach took over from the axed Lee Richardson last week and goals from James McAteer, Lee Duffy and Ryan Stevenson handed him the perfect start on Saturday.

Tougher tests lie ahead for the Blairwood Park outfit than this game against the South Division’s bottom side, who are winless and have just a solitary point to their name, but Fox told Press Sport: “It’s a good start and I can’t fault the players’ work-rate and effort.

“We could have scored more goals if we were more clinical but, overall, I’m pleased. Before the game, I asked the boys to go out and show hunger, aggression, passion and a desire to score goals, and they did that.

“They know they’ve underachieved but it’s a clean slate for everyone. I only had one (training) session with them before the game – and that was only for an hour – so I was relying on senior players like Lee Duffy, who filled me in on the way they’ve been playing, their form and the systems they’ve been using.

“I wanted to keep it simple but, as the weeks go on and the more we train and play, I’ll start to put in fresh ideas.”

Easthouses Lily 2 Crossgates Primrose 3

PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell saluted his team for showing a different side to their game after a hard-fought success at Easthouses Lily.

Crossgates recorded their fourth South Division win in a row in Midlothian to jump up to fifth place, and within six points of second-top Edinburgh United, who have played three games more.

Campbell is refusing to get carried away but the Humbug Park outfit are flowing with confidence and overcame a difficult pitch and windy conditions to dig out their eighth success of the campaign.

Although they fell behind to a Jason Young goal after four minutes, Crossgates found themselves 3-1 ahead by just the 17th minute thanks to Dale Allan, Andy McDonald and Andy Watt.

It was an advantage that they held until the 65th minute when Gary Shearer pulled one back for the hosts, but they couldn’t find a leveller and Campbell said: “It was a good result although I didn’t think we played at our best.

“The wind was absolutely horrendous and the pitch wasn’t great so to get out of there with the three points was the main goal. We did that and I’m pleased we managed to dig in and get the result.

“In January and February, you have to find a way to get a result because the pitches we play on are not going to be ideal for playing football. There is that other side to us and we can mix it up a bit; they were quite physical but we showed we can do that as well as play.

“We hit them with three goals in 20 minutes so, all-in-all, I’m pleased.”

He added: “The quality of our goals was good. We scored two really good ones and one from a set-piece, and we’ve been working on that.

“That’s four wins on the bounce so we’re looking OK. Up in the top half is our goal and that’s where we find ourselves at the minute but we’re not getting carried away.

“We play Craigroyston this weekend, who are just a point behind us, so it will be another tight game and we’ll need to be at it.”

Pumpherston 1 Rosyth 0

A MUCH-IMPROVED Rosyth were left defeated and disappointed not to take at least a point from leaders Pumpherston on Saturday.

In their first game since last month’s 7-0 hiding at home to Harthill Royal, which proved to be manager Barry Cockburn’s last game in charge, the Recreation Park outfit responded admirably under the caretaker charge of Ryan O’Connor.

Facing a team that had lost just once in 16 league games, and who held a 10-point lead at the summit, the odds were stacked against the West Fifers but they produced a show that they felt deserved more.

Jack Beaumont’s goal nine minutes before half-time proved decisive in the hosts’ favour but O’Connor’s side, which featured three under-17 players on the bench and a trialist, were more than a match for their opponents.

Club secretary Alfie Blair said: “Apart from a sloppy goal that we gave away, we should’ve come away with something from the game.

“They didn’t look like a team at the top of the league and we outplayed them in most departments. They responded well from the Harthill game, which is what our caretaker manager wanted, and we had a trialist playing and three under-17s on the bench.

“We lost two players inside the first half an hour to hamstring injuries but the 16-year-olds didn’t let us down. Apart from the goal, I felt we were the better side.”

Blair, who confirmed that the club have had enquiries in relation to their managerial position but have handed O’Connor the reigns until the end of the season, added: “I’m fair pleased with the turnaround from the Harthill game. Everyone was disappointed on Saturday, which is what Ryan wanted to see, and he’s got the boys gelling again.

“The players are buying into what he wants to do. He’s actively trying to bring in players, so things are looking up.”

East of Scotland League: Ormiston 1 Kelty Hearts 4

A “CONTROLLED and professional” display was Kelty Hearts boss Thomas Courts’ assessment after his in-form side maintained their unblemished East of Scotland League record.

The leaders travelled to the Hibernian training centre in East Lothian and clocked up their 14th league victory.

Brian Ritchie’s seventh goal of the campaign put the visitors in front in the first half before Scott Dalziel doubled their advantage.

An own goal and a Jordyn Sheerin effort put Kelty four goals to the good and, although the hosts pulled a goal back, Courts was happy to reflect on another three well-earned points.

He commented: “The gusty day prohibited both teams from getting the ball down but I thought it was a decent spectacle.

“They were a worthy adversary but I don’t recall them having many shots at our goal. It was a controlled, professional performance.”

Courts added: “We’re trying to use the squad wherever possible. The squad is every bit as versatile and strong as it has been before, so for me it’s about trying to give everyone a chance to play but not losing momentum.

“It’s a challenge but the lads seem to be thriving. Competition is positive and I’m happy that the players are fighting tooth and nail for a place in the team.”

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2pm unless stated): McBookie.com South Division – Craigroyston v Crossgates Primrose, Oakley United v Armadale Thistle, Rosyth v Livingston United. East of Scotland League – Kelty Hearts v Stirling University (2.30pm).