South Challenge Cup exits as Inverkeithing and United defeated
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 0 Kennoway Star Hearts 2 South Challenge Cup - Second Round
SWIFTS boss Jason Dair is hoping for a response from his side this weekend after their Challenge Cup aspirations were ended by Kennoway Star Hearts.
Premier Division Inverkeithing entertained their fellow Fifers, sitting 11th in the 16-team Second Division, aiming to halt a run of three successive defeats in all competitions.
Despite hitting three goals the previous weekend, they conceded seven to lose at home to Broxburn Athletic in the league, but they failed to find the net for only the third time this season as Kennoway claimed a fine success.
A penalty, which Dair described as “soft”, gave the away side the chance to opening the scoring in the 34th minute, which Dylan Walker duly took advantage of.
He then added his, and Kennoway’s, second goal early in the second half and, despite their best efforts, Swifts couldn’t find a route back into the match.
They’re back in cup action on Saturday, travelling to Third Division Pumpherston in the third round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, and Dair commented: “We started well and were on top, creating plenty of chances, but we were wasteful in front of goal.
“We gave away a soft penalty to go 1-0 down, and had a few more chances, but it stayed that way at half-time.
“The second half was much the same; we were trying to force the game, and it was leaving us open at the back.
“Eventually, we conceded another poor goal to go 2-0 down.
“We huffed and puffed after that and never really looked like getting back into it. It was another poor performance.
“We’re away to Pumpherston in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup this week, and we’re looking for a boost to take into the upcoming league games.”
Ashfield 4 Oakley United 1 South Challenge Cup - Second Round
OAKLEY UNITED saw their interest in this season’s South Challenge Cup brought to an end after they fell to defeat at Ashfield.
Peter Goldie’s side headed to Glasgow to take on the West of Scotland Football League First Division outfit on the back of five successive defeats, including second round exits in both the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup and Alex Jack Cup.
The Blairwood Park boss, whilst disappointed with the end result, was pleased with aspects of their previous match, which saw them race into a two-goal lead against Rosyth, before slipping to a 3-2 defeat.
They gave as good as they got in the early exchanges with the four-time Scottish Junior Cup winners, but fell behind after 24 minutes when Sean Slaven headed home from six yards.
That was all that separated the teams at the interval but, just nine minutes after the restart, the hosts doubled their advantage when Ryan Sinclair’s cross was diverted into the net by an Oakley defender.
Goldie’s men continued to push to try and find a route back into the game, but a fine strike by Slaven from distance, which went in via the underside of the bar, made it 3-0 just after the hour mark.
With nine minutes left, Sandy McKinnon drilled a shot into the corner of the net to pull one back for Oakley, but Ashfield had the final say when Dean Farmer added their fourth.
Meanwhile, the club have announced that two of their players have signed contract extensions.
Jack Cowan, whose deal has been described as “longterm”, and Rhys Bedborough have both committed their futures to Oakley, who stated: “Jack is one of the longest serving players and has been instrumental in helping the young players on and off the park whilst he recovers from injury.
“He is a valuable member of our squad and we are delighted to have him onboard to help the club going forward.
“Rhys is a player that progressed through our U20’s breaking into the first team in our league title winning season.
“He is a local lad that has a huge future ahead of him.
“Rhys is a great asset to the team and will only get better with age.
“We are delighted he has committed his services to the club.”
Saturday’s fixtures (kick offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, third round: Pumpherston v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. Alex Jack Cup, third round: Rosyth v Kirkcaldy and Dysart.
MICHAEL TIDSER has vowed that Kelty Hearts won’t make life easy for the League One leaders and has urged his players to relish Saturday’s televised clash.
New Central Park will welcome the BBC Alba cameras for their match with Falkirk, which will be beamed live, with kick off pushed back to 5.30pm.
John McGlynn’s side head for Fife top of the table - on goal difference from Hamilton Academical - having won five and drawn one of their opening six matches.
Tidser’s side are eight points further back, in sixth place, after an encouraging start to their own campaign and he is looking forward to the challenge against the Bairns.
“I don’t know how other people feel but these are the games I want to be involved in, as a player, and as a manager as well. You want to test yourself,” he told Press Sport.
“Falkirk have always been a good side. I’ve been there at the club myself, I know it’s a good club, and they’re desperate to get up. They’ve been desperate to get up for four or five years now, so it’s a good test for us.
“We obviously gave them a good game last year, took points off them a few times, so here’s hoping we can go and give a good account of ourselves, and see where it goes come Saturday.”
Last term, Kelty defeated Falkirk twice - once at home, and once away - and drew once in four meetings, with the other ending in an unfortunate late defeat at New Central Park.
Alfredo Agyeman scored twice in a 3- 2 success at the Falkirk Stadium, where he is now plying his trade after departing Kelty in the summer upon the expiry of his contract.
The ‘ Maroon Machine’, in particular, have a completely different look to their squad as compared to last season but, when asked if his team can take belief from the results against Falkirk last season, as well as their early season performances, Tidser said: “I think you probably can yeah.
“Obviously, the two squads are slightly different now.
“They’ve strengthened, we’ve had a lot of players that have moved on and have brought a lot of players in the door, but I’m sure if you were to ask John McGlynn, or the boys there, they’ll tell you that Kelty’s not an easy place to come. They’ll know they’ll need to be really at it to come and get the points off us.”
Tidser added: “It’s good it’s on the TV and people can see us. It’s important you don’t get distracted. Falkirk will bring a decent crowd, we’ll have a decent crowd hopefully, the TV cameras are there, so it’s just important you go and do your job.”
Tidser will be without the suspended Jason Thomson, but is hopeful Craig Johnston and Lewis Moore would return to training ahead of the game.