Rosyth into Alex Jack Cup semi-final as Inverkeithing earn win

ROSYTH are one game away from reaching the Alex Jack Cup final after Stevie Crawford made it two wins from two against Kirkcaldy and Dysart.

The former Dunfermline hero took charge of his first home game on Saturday, having guided his home town club to victory in his first, in an East of Scotland League, First Division, derby at Oakley United, earlier this month.

After a week's break, the Rec returned to action at the Fleet Grounds against their First Division rivals and took the lead through Mati Zata.

Although Jack Wilson levelled for the visitors, talisman Tam Hampson proved to be Rosyth's hero as he netted the winner midway through the second half.

That has put them through to a last four clash with Heriot-Watt University, who beat them 6-0 in what proved to be Greig Denham's final game in charge before Crawford's arrival, next month.

"Saturday was a good competitive cup tie and we deserved to edge the game," Crawford commented.

"We scored two good goals. The first one was a well-worked goal playing out from the back, and a great through ball from Strang for Zata to run on to and score from a well-timed midfield run. There wasn't much in the first half.

"Second half, Kirkcaldy started brighter and scored early in the second half. The reaction was very positive from us and we were unlucky not to go ahead when Hampson scored, only for it to be ruled offside. Hampson did get his goal not long after though, tapping from from a Gallacher cross to put us through to the semis.

"Both goalkeepers pulled off a number of good saves throughout the game, and our goalie, Matty Wallace, pulled off a wonder save in the dying seconds to see us progress to the next round."

Rosyth reached the semi-finals of the Alex Jack Cup on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

The winner of the tie will play either Arniston Rangers or Bo'ness Athletic, and Rosyth chairman, Russell Craig, said: "He's come in and earned two wins out of two.

"He's very happy with Graeme Nutt, who was first team coach, and is more than comfortable with him being his assistant manager.

"He's had a good look at the players. Myself and Dean (Ogg, vice-chairman) were on a teams chat with him for about an hour-and-a-half on Monday night, just talking about the squad, how to develop the squad.

"He's more than happy with the squad just now but football's a moving object; if you stop, you get caught. We're always looking; we've got the potential of bringing a couple of new boys in.

"We've got a tricky game against Heriot-Watt, and that was Greig's last game, but in all honesty, we're a different animal now.

"We've got a month. In between that semi-final, we've got a lot of league fixtures that we need to knuckle down for and get climbing up that table.

"Once we're through all of them, our focus is to go over to Heriot-Watt."

Heads up! Action from Rosyth's defeat of Kirkcaldy and Dysart. (Image: David Wardle.)

Pumpherston 2 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3, East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, third round

JASON DAIR is hopeful his Swifts stars can take confidence into their upcoming fixtures after progressing in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup at Pumpherston.

After a run of four successive defeats in all competitions, the Premier Division side got the better of their opponents, third top in the Third Division, with boss Dair believing there is more to come from them.

Che Reilly had Swifts ahead at the break, only for Chris Rooney's penalty to level the tie shortly after the restart.

Sean Cumming and John Binnie then found the net to put Swifts in control, and they held on for victory despite a late effort from Jack Barclay.

"That was all it was about really, a cup game, and just getting through to the next round," Dair said.

"I still didn't think we were up to full speed in terms of what I'm expecting from the team, but we got ahead. It was 1-0 at half-time, and then we lost a goal just after half-time, which put us on the back foot, but we dug in and got a couple of goals.

"We were the better team to be fair. We lost a goal late on which made it a wee bit nervy, but we missed a a few chances and should have scored a lot more. I'm just delighted to get through.

"We had a couple of games there where we hadn't played that great either, so confidence wasn't high, but it's always good to get a win. Hopefully we can just take a bit of confidence from that now and go and put another wee run together like we did previously.

"That's been our downfall this season; against teams that we probably should be beating, we've not been at our best, but we've managed to get through this one.

"It's a young squad and they're not going to be as consistent as what I'm hoping for, but, hopefully, as the season goes on they just gain a wee bit more experience and start winning these games more often."

Friday's fixture: East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Hutchison Vale v Crossgates Primrose (7.45pm). Saturday's fixtures (kick off 2.30pm unless stated): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Penicuik Athletic v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. First Division: Newtongrange Star v Oakley United, Preston Athletic v Rosyth.