Junior Cup, third round: Crossgates Primrose 1 Beith Juniors 5

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE’S dreams of a Junior Cup upset were swept aside on Saturday as Beith Juniors cruised into the fourth round.

After four postponements, it was finally game on at Humbug Park as Alan Campbell’s team attempted to topple the 2016 winners and current leaders of the West Region’s top flight.

But, despite a spirited effort, the Ayrshire side’s quality proved too much for the young Primrose outfit, who will now look to bounce back in the New Year when they resume their South Division campaign against Lochgelly Albert on January 6.

The home side competed well throughout but fell behind to Thomas Collins’ 10th minute opener before Kier Milliken doubled their advantage just three minutes later.

Crossgates responded well and, midway through the first half, hauled themselves back into contention through experienced hitman Andy Watt.

But another two quick-fire goals from Beith before the break – both from Richie Burke – put the visitors in command.

Darren Christie added further gloss to the scoreline with 20 minutes to go as Primrose exited the tournament but tweeted: “We gave it our all today, hopefully our squad have taken a lot out of the experience. We wish Beith Juniors all the best for the rest of the season and will watch their Scottish Cup journey with interest!”

Junior Cup third round: Oakley United 0 Linlithgow Rose 3

LEE RICHARDSON has urged his side to take positives from their Junior Cup loss despite admitting they were outclassed by Linlithgow Rose.

The four-time winners of the competition, which included a 2-1 success over Kelty Hearts in 2007, were too good for South Division Oakley despite the home side’s best efforts at Blairwood Park.

A talented Rose outfit, who are top of the East Region Super League, opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Colin Strickland was on hand to prod in from close range – despite appeals for offside – after the ball was nodded across goal.

Richardson’s team tried to frustrate their illustrious opponents but, five minutes before half-time, Linlithgow doubled their advantage when Ruari Maclennan’s shot was deflected into the back of the net.

Experienced hitman Tommy Coyne equalled Rose’s all-time scoring record just before the hour mark to complete the scoring and, despite the defeat, Richardson praised his team’s effort and commented: “It was always going to be a hard one for us.

“The week before, we played a friendly against Musselburgh and got blown away so I was a bit wary to go in with the same sort of gameplan.

“I went 4-1-4-1 to try and frustrate them. We let them have the ball until the halfway line then we pressed higher but they got the first goal after 15 minutes.

“I thought it was offside but the second goal was a mistake from us; we tried to take a quick free kick but overhit it, it went out for a throw-in and they took it from there.

“We played OK and defended well but only had one chance in the first half. In the second, we went out and played OK; I changed the formation so it was a wee bit more attacking and we were in it a wee bit.

“Their keeper made a great save from Jack Cowan but then they’ve scored from a corner.

“They were head and shoulders above us; their passing and movement off the ball was excellent but we worked hard and played well.

“It showed our team the level they need to get to. I looked at my team and had guys at 18, 19 and 20, and they’ve got a team of men and experience.

“But we weren’t afraid to put our foot on the ball and I felt we did OK.”

The juniors programme resumes on January 6.