Primrose enjoy road win as Rosyth shine against Leith
Blackburn United 2 Crossgates Primrose 3, East of Scotland League, Premier Division
PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell said his side’s win at Blackburn United could have been more comfortable after they had “total control” for an hour.
Cammy Dow’s first half opener, followed by an Archie Campbell goal shortly after the break, had the Humbug Park side in control in West Lothian.
However, three goals in the last 11 minutes of the game – an own goal for Crossgates either side of efforts from Marcus Millar and Calum Heath – ensured a more nervy finish than it looked set to be.
“I’m really happy with the result and the performance was very good as well,” Campbell commented.
“For an hour or so, we had real domination and totally controlled the game. We created three or four good chances and took two of them.
“Maybe there was an element of us thinking we had the game won, but credit has to go to Blackburn; they threw everything at us in the last 20 minutes.
“It could have been more comfortable and stress free than it needed to be, but any win away from home in this league is valuable, and very pleasing. We would have taken it before the game.”
The victory, Crossgates’ fifth in their last seven games, sees them sitting fourth in the table, just four points behind early pacesetters Linlithgow Rose.
Their trip to Blackburn was the first of four successive away games and Campbell added: “That’s seven games we’ve won out of 10.
“If we were being a bit greedy, we could have won one more, but we’re going along the right lines.
“We’ve played most of the teams in the top half, so we’re going along nicely in terms of where we want to be.”
Rosyth 1 Leith Athletic 0, East of Scotland League, First Division
ROSYTH made it four wins from five games under Greig Denham after a hard-fought success over Leith Athletic.
Having lost the reverse fixture, in their second outing of the season, the home side turned the tables at the Fleet Grounds thanks to Tam Hampson’s goal.
Since taking the reins, alongside number two Steve Kerrigan, Denham’s side have only lost once, at Lochore Welfare, and have recorded three successive shut outs at home.
Their latest success was achieved despite being shorn of three key players, and the Rosyth boss said: “The ones that came in did well and we’re obviously delighted to get another three points.
“That’s 12 points out of a possible 15. We’d have taken that before we came into the job, so we’re delighted with the work rate, the application and I thought, over the piece, we deserved to win against a good Leith team.
“I was really pleased with the desire and the hunger to see it out and keep a clean sheet.
“They’re taking on board everything we’ve asked of them and we really couldn’t have asked for any more than what they’ve been giving us.
“It’s been really pleasing and encouraging to see that. As I’ve reiterated to the squad, surely that’s got to give a lot of belief and confidence for the upcoming games.
“We’ve had three home clean sheets in a row as well which is also really pleasing.
“I thought Blair Penman was outstanding on Saturday. When he was called upon, he made some terrific saves in the first half and it should hopefully give him a lot of confidence.
“Coming back from injury when we first took over, it’s about getting minutes under his belt, and hopefully showing the consistency that he showed on Saturday, and indeed the last few games.
“I’ve been really pleased from the goalkeeper right through to the strikers. Every player, including the subs that came on at the weekend, I couldn’t really ask for any more and I was delighted to pick up the three points.”
Oakley United 0 Broxburn Athletic 5, East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, third round
OAKLEY UNITED were knocked out of cup competition for a second successive week as divisional rivals Broxburn Athletic hit five at Blairwood Park.
Seven days previously, Peter Goldie’s side lost out to Linlithgow Rose in the South Challenge Cup with the manager stating his belief that they could take plenty of positives from an encouraging second half display.
However, further progression in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup was snuffed out by Broxburn, who found themselves two goals ahead at the interval thanks to Greg Binnie and David Greenhill.
Binnie grabbed his second, and the visitors’ third, just before the hour mark, before Jordan Orru’s deflected strike and a Josh Jefferies goal eight minutes from time, wrapped up the scoring.
SATURDAY’S fixtures (kick offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Broxburn Athletic v Crossgates Primrose, Haddington Athletic v Oakley United, Linlithgow Rose v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. First Division: Rosyth v Burntisland Shipyard. Tuesday’s fixture: East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Tynecastle v Crossgates Primrose (7.30pm).