Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts & Oakley United lose in league and cup

SWIFTS boss Jason McCrindle said his side were punished for switching off "at crucial times" as they fell to defeat at Musselburgh Athletic.

Goals from Nicky Reid and Jamie Todd put the hosts two goals up at the break, and they added gloss to the scoreline by adding two more in stoppage time, through Craig Stevenson and Nathan Evans.

"I think in terms of the game itself, we were really good. We were really competitive," McCrindle said.

"They did everything that we wanted to do in the game, in terms of how we wanted to approach it and how we wanted to play it, but we lost two silly goals - one from a corner, one from a throw-in - and we lost two goals in the 90th and 93rd minute.

"There wasn't really a lot in open play but we just switched off at crucial times and we got punished for it.

"They're a young group. We have to be realistic as well. We've got a really young group - there was two players in the starting line-up over the age of 24. It's a really, really young squad that we've got, but we can't keep using that as excuses because we need to learn. We need to learn, we need to develop, and we need to get better at what we're doing.

Swifts, pictured in a game with Dundonald Bluebell, were praised for their performance in open play. (Image: David Wardle.)

"It's difficult to be too down because we're playing really, really well in games. The way that we're asking them to play, we did everything well in the game, but it was just two individual errors for the first two goals, and then we've opened up a wee bit in trying to get something out the game, and we've ended up conceding two really late goals.

"I think in terms of open play, we were really good, but it's frustrating to lose two really sloppy goals from a throw-in and a corner."

McCrindle added: "Everybody I've spoken to since then, and everybody at the game on Saturday, spoke about how well we played, how well we done, how well competed, even game.

"To go down there and match a team that are sitting third in the league, the players should be really pleased in terms of the performance, but it's just the small details that we seem to be getting punished on.

"We need to learn quickly to do whatever it takes to stop this happening, and we'll get there.

"I think in terms of the way we're trying to play, and the way the guys played on Saturday, there were so many positives to take from the game."

"We created more opportunities on Saturday than we had in the two previous games at home, so there was a lot of things to be really positive about and look forward to.

"We know where we are. We've got nine games left so it's in our hands in terms of what we want to achieve, but we're not even thinking about anything else other than Dunbar on Saturday."

West Calder United 5 Oakley United 4, King Cup, second round

OAKLEY UNITED were knocked out of the King Cup after an incredible nine-goal thriller at West Calder United.

Peter Goldie's side had recovered from losing two early goals to lead the tie, before fighting back again to be level at four goals apiece, but conceded the decisive effort late on to lose out to their Third Division opponents.

West Calder, sitting second in their league, made a dream start against First Division Oakley when an own goal, and a Craig Johnston effort, put them two up in eight minutes.

Bruce McAdam brought the visitors back into it just before the half hour mark, before Ryan Yapoudjian equalised 10 minutes before the break.

Innes Easton put Oakley ahead in first half stoppage time but, as the clock ticked into 70th minute, two goals in five minutes from Jason Gregory and Andrew Jackson turned the tie on its head once more.

Robbie Breeze made it all-square with an equaliser for the Blairwood Park outfit with eight minutes to go, but Gregory's second of the game proved decisive in West Calder's favour.

Meanwhile, Crossgates Primrose's Premier Division match at home to Sauchie Juniors was postponed.

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose v Tynecastle, Dunbar United v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. First Division: Oakley United v Vale of Leithen.