The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bluebell and Lochee United left to fly flag
Bad day for Courier Country outfits in East of Scotland Cup
DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup
Courier Country clubs fared badly in the second most prestigious tournament with only two progressing to round three from the nine ties they were involved in.
Dundonald Bluebell left it late before overcoming a stuffy Blackburn United at Moorside Park.
The visitors’ dogged defending kept Bluebell at bay until 13 minutes from time, when Lewis McKenzie finished fine build-up play.
Callum Smith doubled the lead. McQuillan pulled one back eight minutes from time.
Lochee United were made to work hard for their 2-0 success over South League leaders Pumpherston.
Grant Lawson fired the Bluebells in front after 27 minutes and Paddy Deane made it two shortly before the interval.
In a lacklustre second period it was the visitors who came closest to scoring. Only a superb save by home keeper Jordan Miller denied Jack Beaumont.
Improving Crossgates Primrose were denied in a penalty shoot-out at Premier Division pacesetters Musselburgh.
The Fifers had a bad day from 12-yards, the home keeper saving a first-half penalty before they went behind to a McDonald goal. Andrew Watt scored a deserved equaliser for Primrose, but the hosts prevailed 5-4 in the shoot-out
Kennoway Star Hearts were edged out by Bonnyrigg thanks to Lee Currie’s goal from a free-kick after 28 minutes.
Rose missed a great chance to double their lead but a hotly disputed penalty by Dean Hoskins was brilliantly saved.
There was an upset at Forfar West End where Premier Division Dalkeith edged through.
In a game of few chances, Paul Tansey hit the only goal of the game after 35 minutes to down the Super League hosts.
Coupar Angus lost out at home to Premier League Dunbar United.
Alan Leith gave the Foxhall Park outfit the lead six minutes after the restart but a Dean Ballantyne brace within five minutes was a passport to the Lothian side going through.
East Craigie gave Newtongrange Star a run for their money in the Scottish a couple of weeks ago but, with home advantage, the Super League side this time eased their way to a 3-0 victory.
It was an afternoon best forgotten for Oakley United, who went down 5-1 at home to Premier Division Tranent and finished with nine men.
Oakley’s Lee Halpin cancelled out the visitors’ opener, but they trailed again by the break. Keeper Ross Wortley was then sent off (see page 27) and, after conceding three more, the Fifers had another man dismissed.
In the one first-round tie, Tayport paid the price for poor finishing with a 2-0 home defeat to Linlithgow Rose.
Ruari MacLennan and Aiden Malone were on target for the Super League leaders who, despite being reduced to 10 men with Ian Gray’s dismissal 15 minutes from the end, held on.
The Fauldhouse United and Luncarty tie was postponed.
GA Engineering Cup
Super League Jeanfield Swifts ensured there was no upset with a 3-1 win at Lochee Harp.
Fraser Mills headed them in front after 39 minutes, but the hosts deservedly levelled two minutes from the interval with a 40-yard Connaire Connelly lob.
On the hour Chris Scott restored Swifts’ lead, and five minutes later a Mills penalty sealed victory.
There was no shock at Blairgowrie, who went down 2-1 to Premier League Kirrie Thistle.
It might have been a different story had Blair had their shooting boots on.
Against the run of play, recent signing Abi Njie put Thistle ahead midway through the first half, with Greg Fairweather adding a second just before the break.
Home consolation came with a Darren Neave penalty 15 minutes from time.
In the all North League clash, North End edged out Kinnoull.
Andy Ballantyne gave the Dokens the lead after 52 minutes and three minutes later Zak Wilson doubled it.
Kinnoull’s response came from Greg Whyte three minutes into stoppage time.