East of Scotland Premier Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3 Newtongrange Star 0

A COMPREHENSIVE win for the Swifts saw them take the lead in the first half with a great strike from Brodie Strang.

The home side added a second with a brilliant solo goal from Callum Murray before Callum Deas rounded off the scoring from a corner.

Swifts manager Grant Brough was delighted to return to league action after recent League Cup matches and said: “We did well, it was a solid professional performance from the boys. It was much better, it has a different feel to it. I wasn’t a fan of the month of League Cup games so it was good to get back to it.”

Thi weekend, they take on top-of-the-table Tranent and Brough added: “We’ve already won against Tranent this season. They’re a really good side but the way we’re playing there’s no reason we can’t cause an upset again."

East of Scotland Premier Division: Tranent Juniors 1 Crossgates Primrose 1

IT WAS a good away point for Crossgates at the leaders as they found themselves 1-0 down after 20 minutes but the hosts were reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time.

They equalised when Scott Lawrie tucked away a penalty with his first touch of the game before Tranent went down to nine players before the final whistle.

Primrose manager Alan Campbell said: “I think it was a really good result. There aren’t many sides who go to Tranent and come away with points. It was a strange game, and didn’t go the way that we thought, but we were happy to pick up a point because in my opinion they’re the best team in our league.”

Crossgates welcome Lothian Thistle Hutchinson Vale this weekend.

East of Scotland First Division Conference A: Rosyth 1 Kennoway Star Hearts 0

ROSYTH ended their poor run of form thanks to Matt Gallagher on his debut.

The Kennoway keeper couldn’t hold a well-struck free kick and Gallagher was there to put the ball in the net.

Rosyth had a number of players returning from injury and a couple of signings to bolster the squad and it was a pleasing win for manager Russell Craig, who said: “Kennoway have beaten us already this season, so for them to come down here and us to get the win, as well as a clean sheet which is really important, is definite progress.

"It was a good Saturday night after for a change! The game wasn’t eventful, we both had chances, but it’s the first of the four cup finals out the way.

"There’s a lot of teams around us that if we don’t win our games they could overtake us with their games in hand. What we can do is put the points on the board and say come and chase us. The boys are solely focused on the next game and trying to get those three points.”

Meanwhile, both Crossgates Primrose and Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts were involved in League Cup action yesterday evening (Wednesday), and both secured progression with impressive wins.

Crossgates Primrose 5 Arniston Rangers 0, League Cup, Group F

PRIMROSE secured their progression as Group F winners thanks to a comfortable win over Arniston Rangers at Humbug Park.

Two first half goals in as many minutes put Alan Campbell's side in control as they eased their way to victory.

Brian Ritchie set them on their way in the 17th minute, finishing well at the near post from around eight yards, despite howls of protest from the visitors that there had been a foul, and an offside, in the build-up.

Moments later, Cammy Muirhead was played through and coolly slotted home after drawing out the goalkeeper, before Andy McDonald's header from a corner made it 3-0 just shy of the half-hour mark.

Although there wasn't as much excitement in the second half, Blair Paterson added number four after good work by Archie Campbell to set him up, before Muirhead completed the scoring from the spot.

Crossgates will play Glenrothes in the next round.

Dundonald Bluebell 1 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 2, League Cup, Group D

INVERKEITHING topped Group D after securing a dramatic victory at Dundonald Bluebell.

The home side took a 25th minute lead in the match at Moorside Park, but Grant Brough's visitors pulled level thanks to Greig Spence's instinctive close-range finish with 20 minutes to go.

Then, in the final minute, Brodie Strang's fine finish across the goalkeeper won it for the Swifts, who will play Broxburn in the next round.

Saturday's fixtures:– Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose v Lothian Thistle Hutchinson Vale (2.30pm); Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts vs Tranent Juniors (2pm). 1st Division Conference A: Coldstream v Rosyth (2.30pm).