Non-league: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts draw as Rosyth win

GRANT BROUGH believes it is a sign of how far his high-flying Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts team have come that they were disappointed with a point on Saturday.

The hosts, who are fourth in the table after 11 matches, were held by third-placed Broxburn Athletic despite having recovered from a goal behind to lead.

Joe Tait's fine curling effort into the top corner gave the visitors a fourth-minute lead but, soon afterwards, Greig Spence side-footed home a volley after latching onto Josh Morris' flick-on.

A defensive error then helped to present an opportunity for Spence to round the goalkeeper and fire home from a tight angle midway through the half but Gary Brass' shot on the turn from around 18 yards early in the second period secured a point for the visitors.

Brough, whose side are now nine games unbeaten in all competitions, said: "I was a bit disappointed with the result because I felt we probably deserved to win.

"Over the course of the 90 minutes, I thought we were better in the first half, and they maybe edged the second. On the balance of play, and with the chances we created, I thought we deserved to win.

"To be disappointed with a draw against the team in third shows how far we've come. We're still missing quite a few but the boys who have come in are all still doing the business.

"We probably feel we should've picked a up few more points. It's a tight league, a hard league, and if you lose two or three you're down amongst it.

"We'll not get carried away at this stage."

East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose 2 Jeanfield Swifts 4

PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell insisted he isn't too downbeat after his 10-man side fell to defeat against Jeanfield Swifts.

A 34th-minute red card shown to Andy McDonald, which also saw the visitors awarded a penalty with the score locked at 1-1, proved to be a significant turning point in a match the Humbug Park boss felt his side were controlling with a full compliment.

Recent signing Cammy Muirhead gave the hosts the ideal start just seven minutes in with a cool finish, only for Chris McLeish to level from the spot five minutes later.

McDonald's sending off, given for a shoulder barge on an opponent, allowed McLeish to put them in front before he, incredibly, completed his treble before the break with a third successful effort from 12 yards.

Chris Scott added a fourth with 20 minutes to go, before Muirhead netted a consolation late on.

"I thought we started ever so well. In the first 20-25 minutes we were on top, and scored a great goal to go ahead," Campbell said.

"We lost a cheap penalty but it didn't put us off our stride; we were the better team. The game changed on the sending-off.

"The ref deemed that our player shoulder-charged the boy, who was not getting anywhere near the ball. The report came through and said it was for denying a goalscoring opportunity but Usain Bolt wasn't getting to the ball, never mind a Jeanfield player.

"With 10 men, we were spirited and gave everything so I'm not too disappointed. To be fair to Jeanfield, they're not a team you want to go down to 10 men against as they're a possession-based team.

"I'm disappointed with the result but, performance-wise, we did OK. It was one of those days where nothing went in our favour.

"The boys have been playing well and been on a good run so we'll not let it affect us."

East of Scotland League, First Division, Conference A: Rosyth 6 Ormiston 0

ROSYTH earned a second successive league win after their super-subs helped them overwhelm Ormiston at the Fleet Grounds.

Gregg Page and Michael MacMillan put them two goals up at the break, with Regan Lumsden soon making it three.

Substitute Michael Ness added a fourth goal before Liam Queen, who also appeared from the bench, grabbed a double to complete a "good day at the office" for co-managers Russell Craig and Dean Ogg, who gave Stevie Slimmings a run-out after he rejoined from Inverkeithing.

"More encouraging for me was definitely the clean sheet and the impact the subs had on the game," Craig commented.

"It shows the depth that we've got in the squad.

"We were two-up at half-time and they did exactly what we asked of them in the second half.

"We were missing Garry Leighton, Iain Griffin and Tam Hampson, who are three massive characters and players for us. To get a clean sheet and a win, it was a good day for us."

South Challenge Cup, first round: Oakley United 3 Kilsyth Athletic 1

STEWART KENNY praised the younger members of his Oakley United squad after they recovered from going a goal down inside 30 seconds to reach the second round.

Jamie McAllister's 30-yarder – a goal which drew praise from the Blairwood Park boss – put the visitors ahead but Ally Burns levelled matters just before the half-hour mark.

Youngsters Dylan Paterson, with a superb strike of his own, and Jack Cowan sealed it late in the second half for an Oakley side missing 10 of their first-team regulars.

"It was a great win, especially with a depleted squad," Kenny said.

"They stepped up to the plate and got the victory, which is credit to them. We struggled in the first 10 minutes but, once we settled, we took a stronghold in the game. We went in at half-time at 1-1, and it could've been three or four.

"For the second goal, Dylan Paterson, who was playing left wing back for us, picked the ball up about 30 yards out and it flew into the top corner. It was fit to win any game.

"Jack Cowan, who was man of the match, got a goal for his hard work. The young boys enjoy playing at this level and thrive on it.

"They fit into the style and way we want to play."

Saturday's fixtures:– Alex Jack Cup, third round: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Crossgates Primrose (2pm). East of Scotland League, First Division, Conference B: Oakley United v University of Stirling (1pm). Friendly: Rosyth v Whitehill Welfare (2.30pm).