Kelty march on as Rosyth and Crossgates bow out

The midfielder’s low shot into the bottom corner gave the visitors the perfect start inside the opening 10 minutes of this tie and was enough to send the high-flying Super League side into the draw on 4th November in a game of few chances.

Boss Thomas Courts will be delighted with a second successive clean sheet for his side as they prepare for a top-of-the-table clash with leaders Newtongrange Star at Central Park this weekend.

They restricted the hosts to few chances in the opening period as both teams cancelled each other out following Grady’s goal and were rarely troubled in the second half.

Hearts themselves did have chances after the break; Brian Ritchie was denied by a smart stop from the home goalkeeper while Stevie Manson sent an effort just over the bar towards the end with a deft touch.

But the visitors, runners-up in 1999 and 2007, saw the game out to keep their dreams of a third Junior Cup final appearance alive.

Rosyth 1 Hurlford United 3 ROSYTH boss Lee Richardson said he was proud of his team’s efforts after they pushed holders Hurlford United all the way in Saturday’s second round tie (photos, Ted Milton)..

The Ayrshire side – who fielded former Dunfermline centre half Neil McGregor and ex-St Mirren forward Stewart Kean – led by Taz McKenzie’s first half opener before a late double from Chris Robertson put the game out of Rec’s reach.

Tam Hampson’s consolation was the least that Rosyth deserved in a performance that will give the South Division leaders plenty of encouragement in their push for promotion.

With the wind at their back, Hurlford took control for most of the opening half and although disciplined defending restricted them to efforts from range, it was from a Rosyth attack that they opened the scoring.

After conceding possession from a throw-in deep in visiting territory, United broke forward and switched the ball wide on the right for McKenzie whose cross-cum-shot towards the far post caught out keeper Steven Mayne and dropped agonisingly into the Rosyth net.

Richardson’s men pushed forward after the break and asked questions of the visitors but a delivery from the right saw Robertson climb highest to nod home the second goal before he put the contest out of Rosyth’s reach as he reacted quickest to slot home after Mayne had parried a shot.

Hampson though had the last word with a goal of real quality as he controlled a cross from the left inside the area, turned his marker and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.

Richardson told Press Sport, “We done ourselves proud and up to 70 minutes we were still in it. We had a few chances and played some good stuff, but I felt we were a bit naive with our defending. They’re a top side - Neil McGregor strolled it and Stewart Kean’s movement was excellent - but our young boys competed well against the best in the country. They were devastated at losing but I’ve said to them that that is the level they should be aspiring to play at. I felt 2-1 would’ve been a better reflection of the game but there was a good atmosphere and overall was a good day. We’ve got a tough one this week against Blackburn, who beat us twice last season and I think have the two best strikers in the league. It will be good to see how much we’ve progressed this season.” Richardson is hopeful that Sean Johnstone and Michael McMillan will both recover from knocks picked up against Hurlford to feature on Saturday.

Edinburgh United 7 Crossgates Primrose 0 CROSSGATES had an afternoon to forget in the capital as goalkeeper Dale Wotherspoon’s red card led to a second half capitulation and an exit from the cup.

The table-topping Premier League side proved too strong for the South Division visitors and took the lead after 10 minutes through Kayne Paterson.

But after holding Edinburgh to a single goal at the break, Wotherspoon’s red card just 24 seconds after the restart to concede a penalty and a second goal to Kenny Fisher saw David McNeely’s side fall apart.

Six minutes later Fisher added his second goal before JP McLennan fired in United’s fourth goal from 25 yards just before the hour mark.

Jamie Stewart netted number five after reacting quickest to a shot that hit the bar before Paterson with his second and Craig Hume wrapped up a comprehensive defeat for Primrose.

Oakley United 2 Dundee North End 5 JAMES WATT has warned his Oakley players they face the axe if they fail to halt mistakes that are costing them goals and points.

The Blairwood Park boss was a frustrated figure after Dundee North End inflicted a 5-2 defeat on his 10-man side in the Premier League and questioned his players’ attitude as set pieces proved to be their downfall.

Abi Njie and Jamie McCabe had fired the visitors 2-0 ahead in the first half and although Dale Allan reduced the arrears before half-time, Oakley had Lee Reid sent off for a last man challenge.

An uphill struggle soon became a mountain to climb as Barry McNaughton and Scott McComiskie put North End 4-1 up before Andrew Watt pulled a goal back.

But McComiskie’s second completed the win and ahead of this weekend’s trip to Dundonald Bluebell, Watt told Press Sport, “If we don’t start learning from our mistakes then it’s going to be a long season. There is a lack of responsibility in the team and some players are happy to accept others doing their job. It might be their attitude but there has to come a point where a line is drawn in the sand if people continue to make the same mistakes.

“In the second half with 10 men we created some chances and played some good stuff, but if we keep losing the goals that we are then we’re going to have to score a barrowload to win games. I can’t fault their effort but in the first half we didn’t look like we wanted to be there. We got a reaction after half-time but we can’t move forward until the players take on board what you’re saying. We’ll be working hard to stop these mistakes happening but if they keep happening then they’ll be out the team. But we move on to this week and we’ll be going there to try and impose ourselves on the game to try and win it.” Goalkeeper David Manderson and striker Alan McDonough are set to return to the squad and Watt is hopeful of tying up deals for two players ahead of the match.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2pm): McBookie.com Super League – Kelty Hearts v Newtongrange Star. McBookie.com Premier League –Dundonald Bluebell v Oakley United. McBookie.com South Division - Falkirk JFC V Crossgates Primrose, Rosyth v Blackburn United.