Swifts march on to cup quarter finals
Joy for Hillfield but Crossgates Primrose punished away at Sauchie
Sauchie Juniors 2 Crossgates Primrose 0 East of Scotland League Premier Division
CROSSGATES PRIMROSE suffered their third successive league defeat after two first half goals sealed three points for Sauchie Juniors.
Alan Campbell’s side travelled to Clackmannanshire having lost their previous two matches by a 3-0 margin, and they again failed to find the net in their latest setback.
Last season, Crossgates lost three league and cup meetings with Sauchie by a 2-1 scoreline, and had won just one of their previous five clashes, and fell behind after just five minutes.
Jack Thomson tapped home Sauchie’s opener, from Ross Kavanagh’s assist, with the provider then turning goalscorer eight minutes before the break.
Campbell, who recently saw Cammy Dow depart for Dundee North End, after 63 appearances and four goals for Primrose, said: “It was a tight game on Saturday that could’ve gone either way.
“We made a couple of errors first half that cost us. We hit the post in the first half, and had a few chances, but in the second half we didn’t really create anything.
“Over the piece, Sauchie probably deserved their win.”
Crossgates were scheduled to travel to play Musselburgh Athletic last night (Wednesday) in another Premier League match.
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3 Fauldhouse United 0 East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Fourth Round
SWIFTS advanced to the last eight of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup thanks to a comfortable win over Fauldhouse.
Jason Dair’s Premier Division outfit had too much for their Third Division opponents, moving two goals ahead at the interval before sealing their progression late on.
With 14 minutes on the clock, good play on the Inverkeithing right resulted in a chance for Ronan McMurchie who, after showing good control inside the box, produced a composed finish for the opening goal.
Dair’s side continued to create opportunities - although the boss felt they made some poor decisions and clearances that offered a couple of half chances to their opponents - but they grabbed a second just before the interval.
It was, once more, created on the right-hand side and, after the ball was flashed across the box, Liam Kelly was there to send a clinical left-foot shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Aaron Wood’s header, with seven minutes to go, sealed Swifts’ win, and Dair said: “The second half was better defensively. We never really gave them any chances of note.
“We saw the game out comfortably. It was a good performance and hopefully we can take a bit of confidence into a tough midweek fixture away to Dundonald on Wednesday night.”
As well as Swifts and Crosspicked gates, Rosyth were also due to play last night (Wednesday) in a home First Division clash with St Andrews United.
Oakley United, who announced the signing of Shay Brough at the weekend, were not in competitive action on Saturday but travelled to Third Division Linton Hotspur in a friendly, where they
up a 3-1 win.
Saturday’s fixtures (kick offs 2.30pm unless stated): East of Scotland League, Premier Division - Crossgates Primrose v Glenrothes, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Tynecastle (2pm). First Division - Oakley United v Lochore Welfare, Rosyth v Kirkcaldy and Dysart.