Crossgates and Oakley relegated but Inverkeithing retain hope

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE have been relegated from the East of Scotland League Premier Division after two damaging defeats inside three days.

Alan Campbell's side, second bottom of the table, took on Dunbar United on Saturday, and Haddington Athletic on Tuesday evening, seeking points that would keep their hopes of survival alive.

Following a defeat at drop rivals Glenrothes last midweek, the Humbug Park boss declared their encounter with Dunbar as a must-win, but they made the worst possible start when Gregor Goldie put the visitors ahead.

The East Lothian side, beaten by Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup final, then added a second six minutes later through Dylan Tait.

Although Paul Brown pulled one back in the 26th minute, Crossgates couldn't find a leveller, leaving them needing to take something from their game with Haddington Athletic on Tuesday.

Crossgates lost out to Dunbar on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

Whilst Glenrothes, one place above the relegation zone from third bottom Swifts on goal difference, and Luncarty, a point clear, both lost, a gap of four points to safety meant Primrose couldn't afford to lose if they were to keep their survival hopes alive.

Gary Windram put the away side in front after seven minutes but on-loan Dunfermline Athletic forward, Jake Sutherland, swiftly levelled.

Windram then re-established Haddington's lead moments later, before they wrapped up the points with two goals in second half stoppage time through Tom Davies.

With one match left Crossgates, who have won five and drawn five of their 29 played, are four points adrift of safety, which will see their five-year stay in the Premier Division, following promotion in 2019, come to an end.

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 4 Glenrothes 2, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

JASON MCCRINDLE insists the Swifts will approach Saturday's crucial match at Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the "exact same" manner after they kept their Premier Division survival hopes alive.

Going into the final round of fixtures, Inverkeithing sit third bottom, and in the final relegation place, but only below Glenrothes on goal difference after a valuable win over them on Saturday.

The East of Scotland Qualifying Cup winners saw their aspirations of avoiding the drop take a hit with a loss at Luncarty, who are only one point clear of safety, last midweek but they responded in style against the Glens.

Dylan Vannett put Swifts in front inside five minutes and, although Keane Whitlett cancelled it out soon afterwards, an own goal gave McCrindle's side the lead again before half-time.

The visitors equalised a second time through a trialist, just before the hour mark, but Ben Finnan, who scored their second in the cup final win over Dunbar United, and Liam Kelly netted to secure a huge three points.

Swifts kept their survival hopes alive on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

"It was an important game, but I think we just tried to keep it low-key, in terms of putting pressure on the boys and things like that," McCrindle said.

"We just encourage them. It wasn't about 'go out to must win', it was just really, look, let's go out, perform. Let's go out and just go and play football, let's just go and enjoy the game. Let's go and show what we're capable of doing. What will be will be, but we need to give ourselves a fighting chance.

"Some people thrive on pressure but, for me, I just think football players are at their best when the pressure's off and they just go and express themselves, and they can go and play. It's almost like they're scared to then make mistakes, or scared to do things incase it impacts the result, whereas I just think let's go and show what we're capable of doing, and let's go and show how good we can be.

"The performance was more important to me than the result at the weekend because I knew if we performed, the likliehood is that, with a good performance, a good result normally follows that anyway.

"We played on the Sunday, then we played the Wednesday, and then we played the Saturday. The Luncarty game wasn't the result we wanted, but probably was just a bit too much, too soon, having to go up to Perth on a Wednesday night, after Sunday.

"The game was important but it was a big ask for them to go and try and replicate that. Saturday was good, we were at home, and we just tried to say to them this is what Premier League players have to do week in, week out. You have to go to all these tough places, you have to perform week after week after week, so I think that's why we've been a wee bit inconsistent over the course of the season.

"But they were really good on Saturday and I can't really fault them. What we've done is given ourselves a wee chance. We go to Hill of Beath on Saturday and the approach will be the exact same as what it has been for every other game, and then we'll see where it takes us."

Whitehill Welfare 4 Oakley United 1, Oakley United 1 Kirkcaldy and Dysart 4, East of Scotland League, First Division

OAKLEY UNITED have suffered a second successive relegation following their defeat to Kirkcaldy and Dysart on Tuesday evening.

Peter Goldie's team, with three matches to go, are 10 points adrift of safety and are set to play in the Second Division next season.

In a tough campaign that has seen them pick up just 13 points from their 25 games played, and defeats to Whitehill Welfare, on Saturday, and then Kirkcaldy and Dysart have sealed their fate.

Jonny Grotlin, Lewis Collins and Ty O'Neill gave Whitehill a commanding three-goal advantage in the first of those matches and, although Oakley pulled a goal back, Jonny Devers sealed a 4-1 win for the Midlothian outfit.

On Tuesday, Kirkcaldy and Dysart visited Blairwood Park, and took a 13th minute lead through Darren Ormiston.

Lewis Anderson added a second, before Mark Wilkie and Jack Wilson added their names to the scoresheet, with Ryan Cowie's goal late on merely consolation for Oakley, who host Lochore Welfare this evening.

Thursday's fixture: East of Scotland League, First Division: Oakley United v Lochore Welfare (7.30pm). Saturday's fixtures (2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Broxburn Athletic v Crossgates Primrose, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. First Division: Camelon v Oakley United.