Oakley United progress in Alex Jack Cup but Crossgates bow out

OAKLEY UNITED continued their fine start to the campaign by seeing off Heriot-Watt University to reach the third round of the Alex Jack Cup.

Peter Goldie's East of Scotland League, Second Division side got the better of their opponents from the division above at Blairwood Park with a result that he described as "really promising".

In eight matches prior to this match, in league and cup, Oakley's only setback was against Wishaw in the South Challenge Cup, where they lost on penalties after a scoreless draw.

Although they fell behind to the students early on, Alfie Penman and Tommy Simpson turned the contest on its head by the break, before a superb shot from Ryan Yapoudjian settled the tie in the O's favour.

"I thought we were excellent on Saturday, especially in the second half, and thoroughly deserved the win," Goldie commented.

"We went a goal down early on and that didn't phase us. We scored a great equaliser through Alfie Penman, then got the second to go in front just before half-time through Tommy Simpson, which was a great time to score in an evenly-contested first half.

Oakley United's impressive start to the season continued. (Image: David Wardle.)

"I spoke to the lads at half-time about how important the next goal was, and that we still had more to give in the game. Our third goal was unbelievable and came at a great time too. Ryan Yapoudjian picked up the ball up around 30 yards from goal and hit a shot into the far away top corner, leaving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance.

"This put the game to bed, along with a solid defensive display in the second half, ensuring the win.

"Heriot-Watt have always been a difficult team to overcome so, to finally do it on Saturday, in the manner we did, is really promising."

Crossgates Primrose 1 Whitburn 3, Alex Jack Cup, second round

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE were knocked out of the Alex Jack Cup despite a spirited effort against Whitburn.

Alan Campbell's side, who won the competition in the 2021/22 campaign, fell behind thanks to Callum Bremner's effort, but equalised on the half-hour mark with a fine strike from Jaxson Lawrie.

The Premier Division visitors, one tier above their opponents, regained the lead in the second half through Harrison Edwards, before Ross Crawford's drive moments later sealed their passage into round three.

"We got off to a really poor start. We lost a really early goal, which was sloppy," Campbell commented.

"But I couldn't ask any more from the players after that. They reacted well and we played well in the first half. We scored a brilliant goal and started causing problems.

"I thought in the last hour-an-hour they took over a bit and deserved to go through. We didn't carry much of a threat.

"For the first hour, I was really happy, but in the last half hour, we dipped a bit."

Crossgates bowed out despite levelling the match. (Image: David Wardle.)

Campbell said that some players missed out with a midweek league match at Whitehill Welfare in mind, but Tuesday's scheduled match was cancelled due to electrical issues which impaced their floodlights.

Their next match is a Fife derby at Lochore Welfare on Saturday, and he added: "We've not had an away win yet so we need to try and get that monkey off our back.

"It'll be a tough game. It's a tough place to go - Lochore have built a reputation that they're a hard-working team and hard to beat - but with the way we played on Saturday, and the boys we have coming back, we hope to make it a tough game for them as well."

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 0 Beith Juniors 4, Scottish Junior Cup, second round

SWIFTS boss Gary Sibbald believes his side can take "more positives than negatives" from their Junior Cup exit to Beith.

Taking charge of just his second match, since being appointed following Jason McCrindle's exit last month, the Ayrshire side - who have won back-to-back West of Scotland Football League, Premier Division titles - eventually pulled away in the final 10 minutes after a fine effort from the hosts.

The tie was scoreless at half-time before Carlo Monti gave Beith the lead eight minutes into the second half.

Swifts remained in the game before a Monti penalty with seven minutes left doubled the away team's lead, and they went on to add gloss to the scoreline as Monti completed his hat-trick, before setting up Jordan Stewart in stoppage time for number four.

"We played against top, top opposition," Sibbald said.

"You could see why they've won the West of Scotland Premier for the last two years in a row, but I thought we got a lot out of the game.

"We were in the game until the 83rd minute, still there pushing. We worked really hard to frustrate them and we played some really good stuff at times.

"In the first half, we had two really good chances, at 0-0, and one at the start of the second If one of those goes in, it turns the tide.

"It was disappointing to lose three goals late on as I don't think it was a true reflection. I don't think it was a 4-0 game.

"In the second half, we tried to get the ball down and play, and we really acquitted ourselves well.

"There are more positives than negatives. They're one of the top teams we'll play this season, and if we're able to compete as we did, and take that into our league games, we should be able to compete against teams at our own level."

Last night (Wednesday) Swifts were due to host Kirkcaldy and Dysart in an East of Scotland League, First Division clash.

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, First Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Heriot-Watt University, Lochore Welfare v Crossgates Primrose.