Inverkeithing lose out to Whitehill Welfare in East of Scotland League

SWIFTS boss Gary Sibbald bemoaned his side's lack of good fortune after Whitehill Welfare extended their winless First Division run to seven matches.

The hosts, who had drawn at Lochore Welfare before beating Hawick Royal Albert in the King Cup last time out, fell behind five minutes before the break through Bobby Wilson, before a second half penalty from Ryan Hutchison doubled their lead.

Both sides ended the match with 10 men, and the defeat sent Swifts into third bottom spot and the relegation zone, on goal difference behind Preston Athletic, who they host on Saturday.

Sibbald said: "It was one of those games that kind of got away from us.

"In the first 10 minutes, we've got a really good chance that hits off the crossbar, then the inside of the post. I thought we dominated the first part of that and, if that goes in, it makes a big difference because it was always going to be quite a close game.

"I was standing at the side of the park thinking what have we got to do to get a tiny bit of luck to help us, because, when you watch the clip back of the chance, I just don't understand how it's not went in.

"After that, I thought they matched us up in the middle of the park, and we just didn't know how to deal with it. We were playing into their hands by playing long too often, we didn't quite get possession of the ball like we should've, and we didn't offer too much after that.

Gary Sibbald is hoping fortunes will turn for his Swifts side. (Image: David Wardle.)

"In saying that, we lose the ball quite cheap and their right back I think it was, or their right midfielder, has scored a worldie of a goal, and you think, if he'd had that shot 10 times, he would've scored it once out of 10.

"You're just thinking everything that everything could go against us at the moment, is going against us.

"In the second half, we go out, and I thought it was quite a harsh penalty got given against us seven minutes into the second half, and they've got a real cushion to hold on to."

Swifts are in the relegation zone following their defeat. (Image: David Wardle.)

He added: "It was a quite disappointing performance, really, and quite a tough result to take.

"Sometimes games get away from you and things don't go your way. We don't seem to be getting that slice of luck we need at the moment.

"We're feeling a wee bit sorry for ourselves, but it's about trying to make that luck for yourself, and cracking on to the next game."

Thornton Hibs 1 Crossgates Primrose 0

CROSSGATES PRIMROSE saw their five game unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end after they were edged out at Thornton Hibs.

They had won three and drawn one of their last four First Division encounters prior to Saturday's Fife derby, as well as progressing in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup last time out, but Keir Allan's first half goal condemned them to defeat.

Alan Campbell's men had plenty of opportunities throughout, but just couldn't find the finish, as they suffered only their second league defeat of the season - and their first since the opening weekend.

The Humbug Park boss reflected: "We were obviously very disappointed with the result but, certainly, I wasn't disappointed with the performance.

"Anybody who was at the game, even if you were a Thornton supporter, you would've said we deserved something out of it, particularly second half. We did everything but score, really, so it was just one of those days.

"I think the one true bit of quality in the whole game was their goal. The boy's hit a great shot from about 20 yards right into the top corner, and we just didn't trouble their goalie enough, or we didn't get the breaks in front of goal. It was a mixture of us being poor in the final third, and probably them defending quite well, to be fair to them.

"A couple of decisions went against us as well but there was nothing to be down about. I think the first half an hour, we weren't quite our normal selves, but we started to gain a bit of control. We started to look like our normal selves, we created a few chances, and, like I say, we pretty much did everything bar score, really.

"It was a bit unlucky, but that's the first time we've not scored this season in 15, 16 games. We're not a good enough team to go and win every game - we're still in the early stages in terms of what we're doing.

"We were a bit disappointed overall but I said to them that there's nothing to be down about. We were nine games unbeaten and I just said to them, look, it's just one of those days. Can we now put it to bed, and can we now go on another run like that?

"We're not going to win every game. Every week, the games are tight.

"We were disappointed with the result but I just saw it as a wee bump on the road. There was nothing wrong with what we were trying to do."

"Going to places like Thornton, it's a hard place to get a result. They played well on the day, we were a bit unlucky, it's as simple as that.

"If we played that game another 10 times, we probably get a result every time. It's just one of those things.

"We'll get on with it. We've got another game this week, so it's just turning the page and moving on to the next game."

Oakley United 2 Edinburgh College 1

PETER GOLDIE felt that his Oakley United players "made it harder than it needed to be" after they bounced back from cup heartbreak to defeat Edinburgh College.

The Blairwood Park side returned to Second Division action after they were controversially edged out of the Alex Jack Cup semi-finals, against Premier Division Whitburn, last time out and earned a crucial win.

Lee Dawson headed home from close range to give them a first half lead, and the same man doubled their advantage with another header.

The fourth-top visitors pulled a goal back but Oakley saw the match out to collect their fourth win of the league season to sit eighth, just five points behind West Calder United, who they play on Saturday, and Bathgate Thistle, who are second and third respectively.

Goldie, whose side are unbeaten in three Second Division matches, said: "We deserved the three points on Saturday but we made it harder than it needed to be.

"We scored our goals at good times for us, which took the wind out of Edinburgh College. We were then in complete control and, to be honest, didn't look in any trouble.

"We lose a sloppy goal from a long ball, which I feel we should have dealt with better, and it made the last 15 minutes a little nervy.

"The lads saw the game out though with a good battling performance to earn us the three points. It was a good reaction to last week's disappointment and keeps our unbeaten home record going this season.

"That has been the big improvement for us this year, ensuring teams know that they will need to be at their best to take points from us at home.

"We have another big game on Saturday away to West Calder, so hopefully we can keep the momentum up and get a decent result over there."

Saturday's fixtures: East of Scotland League, First Division: Edinburgh South v Crossgates Primrose (2pm), Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Preston Athletic (2.30pm). Second Division: West Calder United v Oakley United (2pm).