Alex Jack Cup, third round: Crossgates Primrose 0 Thornton Hibs 2

PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell said it "was not our day" as their Alex Jack Cup defence came to an end on Saturday.

The high-flying East of Scotland League, Premier Division outfit had hoped to progress to the semi-finals against a Thornton Hibs team which, as well as being two divisions below, they had defeated in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup earlier in the campaign.

Crossgates went into the tie on the back of three successive wins but, despite creating plenty of chances, particularly after the break, they couldn't find a breakthrough.

Calum Sutherland, in the Hibs goal, made several good stops, which included an effort from Brian Ritchie, which Campbell said he had "no idea" how the keeper tipped around the post.

Jamie McNeish gave the visitors the lead after 57 minutes and, despite Crossgates piling on the pressure, Andrew Adam scored on the break with six minutes left to send Thornton into the last four, and the holders out.

"As things have been going so well for us this season, it was a different feel on Saturday," Campbell reflected.

"It was one of those days where the ball wouldn't go in the net. They scored two and go through, we didn't, and ultimately that's what it's all about.

"We didn't get going quickly enough. I felt the first half passed us by and, at half-time, we got into them and said we needed to up the ante. They did that to be fair but we got caught at a set piece; their boy hit a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.

"We threw the kitchen sink at them after that, and I felt we had a couple of great shouts for a penalty we didn't get. We went with four up front and things like that but we got caught on the counter attack and they scored another great goal.

"Sometimes you've got to take your medicine. It was not our day and credit goes to Thornton. All the best to them."

This Saturday, fourth-top Primrose host Hill of Beath Hawthorn, fresh from reaching the second round of the Scottish Cup, in a mouthwatering derby, and Campbell added: "We said to them at time up they we've been getting all the plaudits, and our league campaign has been strong, so it's not all doom and gloom.

"We have to make sure it's a blip, or a one-off."

Alex Jack Cup, third round: Luncarty 8 Oakley United 1

OAKLEY UNITED saw their bid to reach the last four end with a heavy defeat at Luncarty.

Peter Goldie's team, whose three wins so far this season have all been in cup competitions, fell behind after just four minutes to a Rhys Davies goal, and he added three more before the break.

Aidan Kemp pulled a goal back for Oakley shortly after the restart, but two more strikes from Davies – completing a double hat-trick – and a brace from Olly Hamilton completed a crushing win for the Perth side.

Sauchie Juniors are the visitors to Blairwood Park this weekend as Oakley, promoted last season, go in search of their first league points after five defeats from five.

East of Scotland League, First Division: Rosyth 5 Glenrothes 0

NEW Rosyth manager Greig Denham admitted that he couldn't have asked for a better start as his five-star side collected their first league win of the season.

The former Motherwell and Falkirk defender, who has added Graham Meldrum to his coaching team, took over, alongside assistant Steve Kerrigan, last week and marked his first game in charge with a thumping success over Glenrothes.

Having lost all five of their league matches going into the game, Rosyth began the day 10 points adrift of their opponents but a superb first half saw them lead 3-0 thanks to goals from Tam Hampson, Callum Strang and Callum McAulay, who netted his first from the club.

Further efforts from Hampson, and Fraser Binnie, completed the rout, and Denham said: "I'm delighted with the result first and foremost but also the performance that went with it.

"I had seen enough in training, and in the couple of games I had seen previously, that the players were capable of performing to a better level. The bar has been set and they showed they can play; if we can keep up that attitude and desire, I've no doubt we can climb the league.

"We were definitely a lot more compact. We played higher up, the midfield were more in touch with the strikers and, it's the old cliche, defend from the front. The strikers put the defence under pressure and forced them into mistakes.

"To be 3-0 up at half-time against a team that were 10 points above us is very pleasing. The clean sheet is a big plus and I was delighted that we had a variety of goalscorers. We'll look to try and build on this."

Meanwhile, yesterday evening, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts lost out to Dundonald Bluebell in a hard-fought Fife derby, in front of a crowd of 220, in the East of Scotland League, Premier Division.

Callum Murray gave Pat Scullion's hosts the advantage, only for the visitors - managed by former Pars and Kelty Hearts midfielder, Stephen Husband - to level on the stroke of half time.

Another former Dunfermline man, Ross Drummond, scored what turned out to be the winner for Dundonald with 20 minutes left, after which home keeper, Neil Mitchell, saved a Daryl Healy penalty.

Saturday's fixtures (all kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division – Crossgates Primrose v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Oakley United v Sauchie Juniors. First Division – Lochore Welfare v Rosyth.