Oakley United 2 Whitburn 2, Alex Jack Cup, semi-final (after extra-time, Whitburn win 6-5 on penalties)
PETER GOLDIE hit out at an "unbelievable decision" that he felt "robbed" his heroic Oakley United players of a place in the Alex Jack Cup final.
With penalties needed to separate the East of Scotland League Second Division hosts from their third-top Premier Division opponents, a Whitburn spot-kick was ordered to be retaken after United's goalkeeper was deemed to have moved off his line before making a save.
The Blairwood Park side lost the sudden death shoot-out 6-5 and, speaking to Press Sport, Goldie said: "Penalties are always a lottery but we feel we were robbed by an unbelievable decision from the referee on Saturday afternoon, and only he will know his reasoning behind it.
"For a Whitburn penalty to be retaken in sudden death of the shoot-out after our goalkeeper saves it - and, after reviewing the footage, and seeing nothing wrong from our goalkeeper - makes it even harder to believe and accept.
"We feel he has done us out of a cup final spot."
Callum Bremner gave Whitburn an early lead but Bruce McAdam quickly equalised for Oakley, who then went in front on the hour mark when Ryan Cowie cut in from the left and slotted home.
However, shortly afterwards, Ross Crawford netted from the penalty spot to level the tie, which saw it go into an additional 30 minutes, where they still couldn't be separated, leading to a shoot-out from 12 yards.
"We were excellent on Saturday and deserved more from the game," Goldie continued.
"The players put in a fantastic performance against a top side in the Premier Division, and we more than held our own, with the Whitburn goalkeeper the busier of the two over the course of the game. He pulled off some fantastic saves to deny us at crucial times.
"I know the boys are capable of performances like that, so I wasn't surprised at all that we gave Whitburn a good challenge. We are just unfortunate that a decision we have no control over has cost us at the final hurdle.
"If we perform like that consistently going forward then we will have a great chance of promotion this season, and that is now where our full attention will be focused."
Crossgates Primrose 5 Dalkeith Thistle 4, East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, third round
CROSSGATES PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell praised the "guts" his side showed in coming through an astonishing match with Dalkeith Thistle he said was "craziest I've ever been involved in".
The hosts raced into a three goal lead inside the opening half-an-hour, in which they were "as good as we've been all season", but conceded a goal just before the interval.
Then, in a remarkable second period at Humbug Park, East of Scotland League Second Division Dalkeith, on tier below Primrose, produced an incredible fightback to lead the tie with two minutes to go.
However, the drama was not yet over, as Campbell's side scored twice to snatch a fourth round place, with talisman, Scott Hynd, grabbing the winner.
Rab Kinnaird's double, and an own goal, had Crossgates in command before Jack Clark replied for the visitors, who then netted through Elliot Grieve, Kyle Brockie, and through an own goal of their own.
With time running out, Craig Henderson squared the game and, with Campbell and his coaching team preparing for extra-time, Hynd was on hand to score a sensational winner.
"We're closing in on 250 games in charge and, out of all of them, that is the craziest one I've ever been involved in," the Humbug boss said.
"In the first 30 minutes, we were brilliant. We scored three goals and were as good as we have been all season. We were in total cruise control.
"We lost a goal just before half-time, and I don't know if that gave them a lift, or we switched off, or maybe it was a bit of both.
"We started the second half poorly and it last for 10-15 minutes; we couldn't get into the game. In the last 15-20 minutes, we changed it and went for it, and it paid off. We went back to doing what we did at the start of the game - getting it down, playing it out wide, and getting crosses in.
"The players did well and dug themselves out of a hole. They showed guts.
"You've got to give Dalkeith credit. They played their part in an incredible game, and we're pleased and relieved to get through."
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 2 Hawick Royal Albert 0, King Cup, first round
TWO second half goals saw Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts overcome Hawick Royal Albert and reach the second round of the King Cup.
Gary Sibbald's team got their better of their opponents from the Borders, who sit second in the Third Division, two tiers below them, to end a six-match winless streak in all competitions.
Swifts had exited both the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup - which they memorably won last season - and the South Challenge Cup at the first hurdle, but avoided a repeat in this competition.
After a scoreless first half, Aaron Wood, who was making his 50th appearance for the club, gave them the lead eight minutes after the restart.
With time running out, the home side sealed their progression into the next round when Jordan Hunter netted with four minutes to go.
That gave Sibbald, who gave Tyler Duddy and Aiden Ritchie their senior team debuts, a second victory since taking charge in August, and a first since his opening match, with Leith Athletic.
Saturday's fixtures: East of Scotland League, First Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Whitehill Welfare (2.30pm) Thornton Hibs v Crossgates Primrose (2pm). Second Division: Oakley United v Edinburgh College (2pm).
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