East of Scotland League:

Kelty Hearts 11 Tweedmouth Rangers 1

THOMAS COURTS says his Kelty Hearts squad are ready for the final five league games that will define their season after Saturday's latest goal blitz.

Bottom-of-the-table Tweedmouth Rangers, yet to pick up a point so far this season, were helpless as they were steamrollered at New Central Park by a Kelty team that have now scored an astonishing 132 goals in just 19 league encounters.

It was the fifth time – and the second in a row – that the hosts have hit double figures in all competitions this campaign and wins in each of their remaining fixtures will win them the title and promotion to the Lowland League.

Although Brian Ritchie's opener was cancelled out, an Errol Douglas treble, two goals each for Stephen Husband and Scott Dalziel, and further strikes from Stuart Cargill, Shaun Greig and Neil McCabe, sealed another emphatic success.

Trips to Tynecastle and Heriott Watt University, and a home tie with Leith Athletic, lie in wait before a season-ending double header with Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale who, like Kelty, boast a 100 per cent league record so far.

Courts' side have played 19 games as opposed to Lothian's 14 but he's happy to have the points in the bag ahead of the run-in.

"I said to the lads before the game that it was top versus bottom, and probably one of the last games where we were overwhelming favourites, and so the scoreline transpired," he said.

"We put in our usual, professional, quality standards and it was another emphatic performance. Momentum is a crucial factor at this stage and we're looking forward to the final five league games, which are all meaningful.

"Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale are capable of winning all of their games, and it's going to come down to a straight shoot-out, it would appear.

"There will be no complacency from us. We have a history of winning titles but the players know the adage of taking one game at a time."

There's a break from league business when they play Burntisland Shipyard in the King Cup first round and Courts added: "We need to maximise the cups for the players' benefit; we want to play every Saturday, so the King Cup takes priority for us.

"Burntisland are improving every week and their manager and players know a lot about Kelty Hearts, and vice-versa, so they have got our total respect."

Crossgates Primrose 1 Edinburgh United 2

PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell believes his side are one of as many as 10 teams still in the South Division promotion race despite losing to Edinburgh United on Saturday.

Crossgates missed the chance to cut the gap on their second-top opponents, and instead dropped to sixth place and 12 points adrift, after a game that Campbell felt was ruined by the "absolutely horrendous" conditions.

The hosts had gone four weeks without a game – since a 2-1 win over Livingston United last month – and fell behind in the 21st minute when Jim Young converted a penalty.

The lead lasted just 12 minutes as Scott McCrindle hauled Primrose level but they missed the chance to go into the break ahead when visiting goalkeeper Cameron Hanratty saved a spot-kick.

That proved costly when, in the 61st minute, Daniel McAleavey netted what turned out to be the winner for Edinburgh but Campbell refused to be too downbeat.

"It was absolutely horrendous conditions to play in and it ruined the game as a spectacle," he said.

"We had 40mph winds, snow was blowing and the pitch wasn't the best. It was two decent football teams but they probably dealt with the conditions better than we did, but I'm not making any excuses. It was one of those games and we have to move on.

"It was a tale of two penalties really; they scored theirs and we missed ours. It was disappointing but the players' preparation, approach to the game and effort was great.

"We lost a silly goal from a set-piece in the second half and huffed and puffed but they didn't create much either.

"What we've done well of late is that, when we've had a bad result or performance, we've reacted well. When we lost to Craigroyston, I think we won four on the bounce."

He added: "Any one of the top 10 can finish in the promotion places. Edinburgh have only got five games left but we've got eight, and even teams like Lochgelly have got 13 to play.

"If we can win three or four on the bounce, we can get right in there, but we're just happy to be in and around the top half. If we can pick up another four or five wins, that should more than consolidate us in the top five, so that's our aim."

Craigroyston 3 Rosyth 1

ROSYTH fell to their fourth successive defeat as fellow mid-table occupants Craigroyston got the better of them in this capital clash.

Ryan O'Connor's side travelled to St Marks Park having not been in action since a 6-2 home reverse to West Calder United on February 24 and had been looking to stop a slide in form that had seen them concede 17 goals in their previous three games.

Sandwiched in the middle of their trio of losses was a 5-1 humbling at promotion-chasers Edinburgh United and they were to suffer more capital punishment after giving themselves a mountain to climb in the opening 45 minutes.

The visitors fell behind nine minutes before the break when Cameron Mitchell put the home side ahead, and it got worse five minutes later when Peter Stenhouse extended Craigroyston's advantage.

Despite an improved performance by the West Fifers after the break – which produced some excellent goalkeeping by David Livie to keep them out – Stenhouse's second goal sealed the points with four minutes to go.

Striker Tam Hampson pulled one back for Rosyth as the clock moved into stoppage time but the defeat left them having won just once in their last nine games.

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): McBookie.com South Division – Oakley United v Harthill Royal, Rosyth v Kirkcaldy YM, West Calder United v Crossgates Primrose. East of Scotland King Cup first round – Burntisland Shipyard v Kelty Hearts.