Primrose continue cup defence with derby win
Alex Jack Cup, 2nd round: Crossgates Primrose 4 Inverkeithing Hill Sw1
CROSSGATES PRIMROSE continued their defence of the Alex Jack Cup by taking the derby spoils against Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.
Alan Campbell’s side, who will host Thornton Hibs in the last eight, with a semi-final at home to Lochore Welfare or Tweedmouth Rangers at stake, fell behind early on thanks to Swifts talisman, Greig Spence.
Craig Reid, however, pulled them level before David Cross and Archie Campbell put them two goals clear by halftime.
Cammy Muirhead secured the victory just after the hour mark and Campbell said: “We got off to a bit of a slow start but, once we found our rhythm, we played reasonably well.
“I think we deserved to win. We created a bit more and were clinical. We scored at good times. After losing the early goal, it was important we responded, and we did.
“We’re playing reasonably well going forward. We’ve scored eight goals in our last two goals. We scored four last week against Oakley but we want to be hard to beat and defensively to be a bit smarter. I thought on Saturday we did that.”
Swifts counterpart Pat Scullion, who was forced into some changes from his team’s previous outing, a 3-0 win over Haddington Athletic, said: “We started really well. Greig scored a really good goal but then we lost a goal from a set play. Crossgates are a big, physical, strong side, and we lost another goal from a cross, which was disappointing.
“We changed the shape to try and get back into the game but they set up to nullify our threats. We were not really at the races on Saturday.”
East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Penicuik Athletic 2 Inverkeithing Hill Sw 0
SWIFTS followed up their Alex Jack Cup exit with their first defeat of the league season to leaders Penicuik Athletic on Tuesday evening.
The hosts, who have won all five of their games, took the spoils thanks to Aidan Walsh and Taylor Hendry’s goals but Inverkeithing boss Pat Scullion was far from downbeat.
“I was delighted with the way the boys went about it,” he said.
“I thought we were really good. We showed a good bit of character, had good spells in the game and had chances. We looked a threat, especially in the first half. The boys never, at any stage, let their heads go down.”
Swifts had an excellent opportunity to score inside the opening minute, which Penicuik boss Stevie McLeish noted in his postmatch comments, in which he also claimed that the Swifts “couldn’t have complained” if they had found themselves three or four goals behind.
Scullion took issue with that comment, saying, “I’m not sure what game he was watching”, and suggested their hosts treated his team – who are third with four wins from five – with “a lack of respect”, adding that they “should have a bit more class”.
Alex Jack Cup, 2nd round: Rosyth 0 Luncarty 3
THE visitors, who lead the East of Scotland League, First Division, with four wins from four, moved into the quarterfinals thanks to goals from Kevin Sinclair, Aidan Strong and Olly Hamilton.
Russell Craig and Dean Ogg’s side followed that up with a league match against Kirkcaldy and Dysart on Tuesday evening but were beaten again.
Despite Ryan McDonald giving them the lead, Daryl Falconer and John Smith gave the visitors the points, leaving Rosyth bottom after four games and searching for their first point.
Alex Jack Cup, 2nd round: Oakley United 3 Kinnoull 1
OAKLEY UNITED moved into the quarter-finals after Derek Murray’s 15th-minute goal gave Peter Goldie’s men the lead, which was doubled just before the half-hour mark by Scott Bruce.
Although Cammy Robertson pulled one back for the visitors, Jack Cowan wrapped up the home side’s win late on to set up a tie at Luncarty.
Saturday’s fixtures: East of Scotland League, Premier Division – Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Musselburgh Athletic (2pm), Crossgates Primrose v Penicuik Athletic. First Division – Rosyth v Newtongrange Star (both 2.30pm).