East of Scotland League: Rosyth earn League Cup victory

GREIG DENHAM was pleased with the reaction of his Rosyth team after they ended a run of four successive defeats on Saturday.

Following the latest of those, a King Cup, second round exit to St Andrews United last midweek, the Rec boss said some of his players were "vying to stay at the club" as he lamented their defending in the 4-2 loss.

However, a first clean sheet in five outings helped them to victory over the Perth outfit at the Fleet Grounds, thanks to goals from Tam Hampson and Zac Mooney.

"It was a good result and the boys played as we expect them to," Denham said.

"We made a few changes and the boys who came in did really well. It was a comfortable three points.

"I don't think it's any coincidence that, as we're starting to get some of our players back, we're starting to get results.

"If we had played with that level of intensity, and won our individual battles, on Tuesday as we did on Saturday, we would've won.

"The most pleasing thing for myself was to see a clean sheet. That's the most pleasing thing to take from the game, against a team that this potent in attack."

Denham's backline included forward, Callum Strang, on his return from injury, and the boss added: "No matter where you play him, you know what you're getting from him. It summed up the type of character he's got.

"His performances since we've been in have been outstanding, and he should be an example to the younger players with his dedication, application, and the way he looks after himself off the pitch."

Whitehill Welfare 3 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 4, League Cup, First Round

SWIFTS boss Craig Morrison praised his team's character after they won through in extra-time with 10 men at Whitehill Welfare.

After taking the lead with an own goal, the visitors found themselves two goals up on their First Division opponents by the break, thanks to a penalty from new signing from Broxburn Athletic, Josh Jeffries.

The hosts pulled one back through Jonny Devers but, after another new arrival, East Fife loanee, Adam Mansouri, put the Swifts 3-1 up, Callum Deas was sent off with 13 minutes to go.

Within a minute, Dan Garvey scored for the Welfare and then, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Marc Malloy equalised to take the tie into extra-time.

Swifts, however, kept their cool and Mansouri's second of the afternoon sealed a 4-3 victory.

"We regrouped in extra-time. It was a challenge, with 10 men, to go for another half-an-hour, especially after conceding," Morrison said.

"The boys managed the game brilliantly and, for large spells, it didn't look like we were down to 10 men.

"It was a massive test of character in those circumstances, and the boys demonstrated what we're all about."

Swifts have, however, seen Callum Murray joining Lowland League, Cowdenbeath.

He scored 11 goals in 60 appearances since joining in the summer of 2021, and Morrison added: "He intimated his aspiration to try and get to the league above.

"When an opportunity came, it was something he had his eye on. This club is big on giving a platform for boys if they want to get to that level and, when someone like Cowdenbeath comes in, you shake his hand and wish him all the best."

Oakley United 2 Stirling University 2, League Cup, First Round. After extra-time, Stirling win 4-2 on penalties.

OAKLEY UNITED exited the League Cup after a penalty shoot-out loss to Second Division Stirling University.

Peter Goldie's Premier League strugglers had hoped to build on their previous outing, a 2-2 draw at Broxburn Athletic, but needed a stoppage time equaliser from Bruce Mcadam to take the game into extra-time.

The students regained the initiative in the additional half hour and, although Jack Cowan levelled for a second time for Oakley, they lost the subsequent shoot-out 4-2 and were knocked out of the competition.

Today's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Hill of Beath Hawthorn P-P Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Oakley United P-P Penicuik Athletic. League Cup, first round: Crossgates Primrose v Dundonald Bluebell.