Inverkeithing 0 Hill of Beath 4

East of Scotland Qualifying League

INVERKEITHING Hillfield Swifts’ first-ever competitive senior match ended in defeat against Hill of Beath Hawthorn on Saturday.

But, despite being on the losing side, chairman Craig Reid hailed a “fantastic day” from which they could take a number of positives moving forward.

A crowd of around 200 were in attendance at Ballast Bank for the opening match in Section F, and watched Lewis Elder strike twice to put the 1990 Junior Cup winners ahead at the break.

He completed his hat-trick in the second half before a late own goal sealed their victory, but Reid, whose team travelled to Stirling University (EOSFL) last night, commented: “The score didn’t go the way we would’ve liked but we have to put it into perspective.

“It was always going to be a tough game, especially considering that we’ve only had five games to gel the squad.

“We were competitive. There were a couple of mistakes, but gelling as a team will sort that out and we were unlucky not to score.

“Hill of Beath deserved to win but I was happy with the performance and commitment of the players.

“We had just over 200 people there, which was a great attendance, and everything went superbly well.

“Eight players in the starting 11 were Swifts players at youth age and we still had a number of players on holiday.

“It’s all about that pathway and development. “There’s a long way for us to go to improve, but there are a lot of positives to take.”

Crossgates 0 Linlithgow 0

Penicuik 1 Crossgates 1

ALAN CAMPBELL said he was “really pleased” with the efforts of his Crossgates side after they held two former Super League teams to draws.

The Humbug Park side, who made the move from the South Division, entertained four-time Junior Cup winners Linlithgow Rose – who were runners-up in junior football’s top league last season – on Saturday before travelling to Penicuik, who were one place behind.

After picking up two highly creditable points, a favourable result last night between Linlithgow and Sauchie would give them a chance to progress if they were to win at the Clackmannanshire side on Saturday.

Following a fine stalemate with Linlithgow, Barry Paterson scored Primrose’s maiden senior goal after just a minute when he sent a fine looping shot over the Penicuik goalkeeper from the right-edge of the penalty area.

A flicked header at the near post by Aaron Somerville nine minutes after the break salvaged a point for the hosts, but Campbell commented: “We’ve given ourselves a chance to get through and, if nothing else, it’s good preparation for the league.

“To play against Linlithgow and then Penicuik took a lot out of the players legs, so to come away with two points is excellent.

“I think both games followed a similar pattern. Saturday wasn’t the best of games for a neutral but we were quite pleased with how it panned out.

“Linlithgow are a good side and had the lions’ share of possession and territory, but we acquitted ourselves well.

“They had one off the bar and we cleared one off the line but, other than that, we weren’t troubled too much and we had two clear-cut chances in the second half.

“For our efforts, I thought we deserved something and we looked a really solid outfit.

“Tuesday night pleased me even more; Penicuik are a really good side and moved the ball well. I didn’t think we played that well in the first half and, in the second, we hit the post, went forward and retained the ball better.

“It’s a promising start.”

Leith Athletic 1 Oakley 2

RICHARD FOX hailed a “workmanlike” performance as Oakley United got their Section I campaign off to a flyer.

Lee Dawson’s double provided the platform for a fine comeback win at a Leith side that finished fourth in last season’s East of Scotland League, ahead of their home match with Jeanfield Swifts last night.

Blairwood Park boss Fox said: “Everyone gave their all and it’s good to get off to a good start.

“Even when we went a goal behind, I thought that we will get back into it because we had two or three chances without taking them. We definitely deserved to win.

“The boys rolled their sleeves up and I have every confidence we’ll have a successful season.

“I don’t think anyone is giving us a chance of getting out of our group, but we don’t mind that; we like to be underdogs.”