Oakley end on a high as Primrose close in on promotion

OAKLEY UNITED signed off for the season in style with a comprehensive dismissal of Arniston Rangers at Blairwood Park.

In an up-and-down maiden East of Scotland League season, which saw the club change manager in October, Stewart Kenny's team look set to finish ninth after beating the team directly below them.

Reece Kay gave the home side a first half lead and, in a second half that saw the visitors go down to 10 men, Tiwi Daramola completed a fine personal week by adding their second.

The 17-year-old, who is on loan from Stenhousemuir, played for the Scottish Schools' under-18 team last week in their first win of the Centenary Shield tournament, and netted twice as they secured a 2-1 win over Wales.

His strike in this match was added to by a trialist to ensure Oakley finished the season on a high note.

Haddington Athletic 1 Crossgates Primrose 4, Conference B

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE remain in pole position to win a place in the next season's Premier League after a well-earned success at Haddington Athletic.

Ahead of their trip to Bo'ness United last night (Wednesday), Alan Campbell's team occupied fifth spot in Conference B, which would be good enough to seal their place in the top tier of the restructured East of Scotland League.

To seal the deal, just four points from their final three games – their final two are both at home to Dalkeith Thistle and Haddington respectively – and cap what has been a hugely impressive campaign for the Humbug Park outfit.

Having plied their trade in the bottom tier of the East Region junior set-up last season, Primrose have gone head-to-head with clubs that had played in its Super League and, on Saturday, disposed of a team that finished third in the league above them.

Scott Lawrie's 36th penalty put the visitors ahead and, after Dale Allan doubled the advantage midway through the second half, a quick-fire double in the 79th and 80th minutes gave Lawrie his hat-trick.

Although Gordon Harris netted a late consolation from the penalty spot, Campbell was delighted with his team's efforts, and commented: "It was a good result and away performance from us.

"We had to stand up to a bit of pressure in the first half – we knew it was a game they had to win but we grew into the game. We got a penalty before half-time and stuck it away, and in the second half we knew they would throw players forward, so we would get chances.

"They lost their discipline a bit and had a man sent off, and then we picked them off in the last 20 minutes. Everything went to plan; we would've taken a scrappy, 1-0 victory before we went down there, so to win 4-1 was very pleasing."

He added: "We know that four points from the last three games gets us promoted. It sounds straightforward, but we've got to go and do it, which is a different story.

"If we can get something that Bo'ness, it sets us up for the two home games we have left. To finish with two home games is good; only the top three have beaten us at home, so it will take a good team to beat us.

"We were probably written off as no-hopers at the start of the season, having come from two leagues below some of the teams we're playing against, so it's a great position to be in."

Rosyth 2 West Calder United 1, McBookie.com Premier League South

BRIAN MUIRHEAD has challenged his Rosyth players to clinch a top-six finish after they fought back to defeat West Calder United.

His side ended a four-game losing streak in the league with a fine comeback win at the Fleet Grounds in what was the fifth meeting of the teams in all competitions this season.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening period but an uncharacteristic error from Dale Prattis, which handed the visitors possession 20 yards from goal, was punished with the opening goal but the hosts responded well in the second period.

With influential midfielder Stevie Slimmings at the heart of things, Jason Keith rose to head home the equaliser from a corner before Gregg Page found himself free inside the box to slot home from 10 yards to complete the fightback.

Muirhead missed the match, but commented: "By all accounts it was a non-event in first half. They went 1-0 up and my goalkeeper had a good save that kept us in it, and there were a few choice words at half-time.

"They came out in the second half and blew them away, and Stevie Slimmings was outstanding again. We started to get in behind them and it was very comfortable in the end.

"If we can win both of our last two league games, we can finish sixth, and I would be happy with that. We've got two cup games coming up at home, and it's been a long, hard season, so I'll probably use it to give other guys a game.

"We'll see what happens in the cup but it's been a learning curve, and our aim is to improve for next season."

Muirhead added that forward Tam Hampson is set to miss Saturday's meeting with Bathgate Thistle through injury, but he is likely to have Scott Gilfillan and Mikey McMillan back in his squad.

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated): GeoSonic Lowland League - Kelty Hearts v East Kilbride (3pm). Central Taxis East of Scotland League, Conference B - Crossgates Primrose v Dalkeith Thistle. Consolation League Cup - Rosyth v Bathgate Thistle.