Crossgates Primrose 0 Rosyth 7 ROSYTH boss Lee Richardson hailed his on-form stars after they hit a magnificent seven against luckless Crossgates Primrose on Saturday.

A four-goal salvo from Tam Hampson and further strikes from Sean Johnstone, Michael McMillan and Scott Gilfillan sealed an emphatic derby victory which could have been different had the hosts not had a goal chalked off for offside with the scoreline blank.

The Humbug Park demolition saw Rosyth score seven for the second game on the spin and it keeps their South Division promotion hopes alive after Whitburn - immediately above them in second - were held to a draw at West Calder United.

Rosyth are four points behind Whitburn with two games in hand but fourth-placed Falkirk, who are a further three back having played two games fewer than Richardson’s team, are breathing down their necks.

A pivotal match will pit Whitburn and Falkirk together this weekend while Rosyth travel to Blackburn United. Richardson told Press Sport, “Falkirk have won 14 games in a row so we probably need Whitburn to do us a favour, but if Falkirk go up after that run then they’ll deserve to. We’ve exceeded expectations and whatever happens we’ve had a great season. We’ve got to win our next three games and put the pressure on them but the guys are playing with smiles on their faces, and they’re really good to watch.

“We’ve scored 14 goals in the last two weeks so I can’t argue with that. But to be fair to Crossgates it was quite close in the first 15 minutes and the goal they had disallowed for offside looked ok to me. If they’d scored then it might’ve been a different game but I’m really happy with the way we’re playing just now.” The opening 15 minutes of this match gave little indication of the avalanche of goals that were to follow as both teams gave as good as they got, with a free-kick into Rosyth’s box tapped home by a Primrose jersey but David McNeely’s side were denied by the linesman’s flag.

That proved to be a key moment in the game as within minutes, the visitors took the lead thanks to Johnstone’s delightful strike into the top corner before Rosyth quickly doubled their advantage through Hampson’s penalty after John McDairmid’s run was brought to a halt inside the area.

Rosyth were cruising and Hampson’s superb free-kick made it three before a further two from the striker - taking his tally for the season to 31 - and goals from McMillan and Gilfillan completed the scoring.

Richardson added, “Crossgates’ heads never went down but we played really well. Sean Johnstone came back into the team and I was really chuffed with his performance, but the whole team were brilliant. Tam has scored 31 goals and that’s having missed seven or eight games through suspension, so I’m really pleased with him as well.” By contrast, Primrose remain on just seven points with two games to go and look certain to finish bottom of the table having only won just one league match throughout the campaign.

Oakley United 3 Edinburgh United 0 JAMES WATT said his players deserved a stroke of luck as a goalkeeping gaffe helped them on their way to victory over Edinburgh United.

Oakley were given the perfect start inside the opening minute when the visiting stopper’s fresh air swipe at a back pass trundled into the net and from then on the home side took command of this Premier League clash.

Derek Murray added a second goal midway through the first half before Andrew Watt wrapped up the scoring after the break, finishing off a well-worked team move to edge the Blairwood Park men closer to safety.

It was sweet revenge for Oakley, who were beaten 4-0 in the capital in August, and Watt said, “We played well and we got a bit of luck for probably the first time this season. I feel that we’ve been more than due a break because we work hard to warrant it. The first goal settled us down, and from then on I felt that we controlled the game and were never really in any danger.

“We wanted to let them know that we’ve progressed since the last time we played them, and we wanted to go out and put on a good show. We did that and it was a fully deserved win.” A free week awaits Oakley, who are up to seventh in the table, and will return to action on 25th April at Jeanfield Swifts and Watt added, “Until our survival in the league is confirmed, we need to keep our heads down and work hard. We’re already starting to think about next season and areas where we want to improve, but it will take a bit of time to identify boys who can come in and improve us.” Kelty Hearts meanwhile will continue their quest for Super League glory with a vital trip to Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.

Thomas Courts’ side enjoyed a week free of action after their derby heroics against Hill of Beath and, with just four matches remaining,they are in pole position to claim their first Super League title.

Nearest challengers Newtongrange Star - who have five games in hand - are 15 points adrift of the leaders but Kelty’s vastly superior goal difference means they are all but guaranteed the flag if they can win their remaining fixtures.

The Midlothian side - who won the Super League in 2009 and 2012 - were beaten 3-1 at Central Park in August and Courts will be confident that his high-flying side can claim another three points.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): McBookie.com Super League - Bonnyrigg Rose v Kelty Hearts. McBookie.com South Division - Blackburn United v Rosyth, Crossgates Primrose v Pumpherston Juniors.