Inverkeithing: Swifts beat Gala Fairydean in EoS Qualifying Cup

PROUD Swifts boss Jason McCrindle said he was delighted for his players after they secured an East of Scotland Qualifying Cup semi-final berth with a superb win at Lowland League Gala Fairydean Rovers.

The visitors travelled south on the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Jeanfield Swifts in the East of Scotland League Premier Division, but returned home with a place in the last four of the competition.

Swifts, who had six under-20 players finish the match, including debuts for Ewan McDonald and Lewis Weir, took an early lead through Dylan Vannett, but the hosts hit back through Lwendo Kazoka.

Luke Mahady restored the lead for McCrindle's team on the half hour, and he extended their advantage four minutes after half-tme from the penalty spot.

Gala netted a last-gasp consolation through Liam Watt, but Swifts weren't to be denied, with their manager commenting: "Tuesday night was excellent and the boys performed to a very high level.

"We knew it woud be difficult, but we went there to win, and we did that with a structure and shape without the ball, and allowed the players to play with freedom when we had it. It showed in the performance, and the boys earned their place in the semi-final.

Jason McCrindle was delighted with his team's efforts. (Image: David Wardle.)

"I'm absolutely delighted for them and to do it with four under-20s in the squad, and six still eligible to play under-20s, was a really pleasing night for everyone who put in so much effort."

On Saturday, Liam Kelly's equaliser on his 100th appearance for the club wasn't enough to earn anything from the match with third-top Jeanfield, who took all three points thanks to Dayle Robertson's double, the second of which came from the penalty spot, and a Jordan Northcott effort.

"After Saturday there was lots of positives to take from the game," McCrindle added.

"We continued to build on a good first 45 minutes against a very good Jeanfield team. In the second half, we conceded two goals and, although the result wasn't what we wanted, there were enough positives to take into the Gala game."

Crossgates Primrose 1 Hutchison Vale 4, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

ALAN CAMPBELL felt that a "baffling decision" to reduce his side to 10 men during the first half played a big part in Crossgates Primrose's loss to Hutchison Vale.

The score was tied at 1-1, after Cammy Muirhead had cancelled out Thomas Penker's opener, when they had a man sent off 25 minutes into the game for what was initially deemed to be a high boot during an attempted clearance.

Sean Wringe put the visitors back in front before the break, whilst a second half double from Joe Viola put the result beyond doubt.

Campbell, whose team remain in the relegation zone, commented: "I thought it was a really good game in the first 20-25 minutes.

"Both teams were going at it. They scored from a set piece, where we switched off, but we scored a great goal to get back into it.

Crossgates Primrose lost out to Hutchison Vale on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

"We hit the bar, we had one cleared off the line, but the game changing decision came 25 minutes in when we had a player red carded. How it was given as a red card, I don't know.

"He was going back to make a clearance, and cleared the ball, and the boy put his head down. Our player had no idea what was around him, and there was no malice in it. It was a baffling decision and it stunned the whole ground.

"It's difficult to play them with 11 men rather than 10. We went with two banks of four and tried to play the percentages, but we changed shape at half-time and went for it. We had a couple of good chances at the start of the second half, didn't take them, and then they scored and the game fizzled out."

Campbell lost Paul Brown, to a foot injury, and Ross Philp, to a groin problem, during the game, ahead of tomorrow (Friday) night's East of Scotland League Cup first round tie at Burntisland Shipyard.

He has also added 19-year-old forward, Alex Barnett, on loan from Dundee, and his club team-mate, 18-year-old defender, Marley Sweenie-Rowe, to his squad.

Sweenie-Rowe, however, picked up an injury in training, whilst Barnett, who made his debut on Saturday, sustained a bruised foot that could keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Friday night's fixture: East of Scotland League Cup first round: Burntisland Shipyard v Crossgates Primrose (7.30pm). Saturday's fixtures: East of Scotland League Cup, first round: Bo'ness Athletic v Oakley United, Dunbar United v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts (both 2.30pm).