Lowland League:

Kelty Hearts 8 Dalbeattie Star 0

BARRY FERGUSON praised his Kelty Hearts side after they opened their Lowland League campaign in emphatic fashion on Saturday.

The New Central Park boss, who has set his sights on the title and a shot at promotion to the SPFL, watched his team put eight past helpless Dalbeattie Star but insists they will keep their feet firmly on the ground.

Seven of Ferguson's summer signings – Ben Mackenzie, Gary Cennerazzo, Scott Linton, Danny Ashe, Thomas Reilly, Nathan Austin and Dylan Easton – started and it took them just six minutes to make an impact.

It was Linton who opened the scoring, curling home a superb free kick from range that left Star goalkeeper Vinnie Parker standing, before Stephen Husband doubled their advantage from close range after Dylan Easton's driving run into the box created the opportunity.

Former Forfar Athletic man Easton then got in on the act before the interval, latching on to a high ball and, after turning Calvin Cowie inside out, sent a shot across goal that left Parker with no chance.

The second period was just 30 seconds old when ex-Inverness hitman Austin netted first-time from the edge of the area to make it four, before adding his second by racing onto a long pass and lashing home a volley from 16 yards moments later.

Not even 10 minutes had been played after half-time when Husband collected the ball from a throw in and curled home a beauty from range to make it 6-0, which was followed by Austin completing his treble from the spot after Easton had been felled by Parker.

The scoring was completed by substitute Ross Mutch, who had a simple task to net after Ross Philp's cutback.

East of Scotland League First Division, Conference B:

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 4 Glenrothes 3

CALLUM STRANG claimed the match ball as Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts started their season with a thrilling victory over Glenrothes at Ballast Bank.

The striker, who missed a large part of last season with a fractured arm, grabbed the decisive goal after the break to give co-managers Lee Duffy and Grant Brough a well-earned three points.

Things didn't start too well for the Swifts, however, as they fell behind to Callum Kinnes' sixth-minute goal, but Strang hauled them level five minutes later.

Summer signing Gavin Smith netted on his debut midway through the half to give the hosts the lead before Strang increased their advantage with his second just after the half-hour mark.

Two goals in as many minutes from Blair Duff and Stephen King saw the teams go into the break level but Strang had the final say early in the second half to complete his hat-trick and seal victory.

Duffy, whose men travelled to Easthouses Lily last night (Wednesday), commented: "It was a good start although we nearly threw it away.

"We said we wanted to get off to a good start and make our home ground a bit of a fortress but we didn't get off to the best of starts to be honest with you.

"It was a bit of a shock initially but the boys reached well, bounced into a 3-1 lead and scored some outstanding team goals.

"Just before half-time, we let them back into it. Our team talk slightly changed but we had some outstanding individual performances, although collectively we can be better.

"It's a positive start."

Duffy also praised goal hero Strang, as well as Smith, adding: "Callum got another hat-trick and Gavin Smith, who we signed in the summer, got a couple of assists and a goal. You can't ask for much more than that.

"Callum I think is on double figures if you include pre-season, and I think the way we play is helping with that as well."

Meanwhile, Crossgates Primrose and Oakley United had to wait until last night to get their seasons up and running after their matches fell foul of the weather on Saturday.

Primrose, who hosted Broxburn Athletic, had been due to travel to Dundonald Bluebell in the East of Scotland Premier Division, while Oakley United, who travelled to St Andrews United last night, saw their First Division Conference A opener at Burntisland Shipyard called off.

Crossgates Primrose 2 Broxburn Athletic 4, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

CROSSGATES began their Premier Division campaign with defeat at home to Broxburn Athletic.

Alan Campbell's team fell behind at Humbug Park to Jack Beasley's 15th minute free-kick, before the midfielder doubled his team's lead four minutes later.

Gordon Donaldson scored Broxburn's third early in the second half before Primrose conceded a fourth to Connor Kelly 14 minutes from time.

Lewis Crosbie, who went off late on injured, pulled one back for Primrose before Lewis Sawers added another.

St Andrews United 0 Oakley United 5, East of Scotland League, First Division, Conference A

OAKLEY UNITED got their campaign off to a flying start with a thumping win at St Andrews United.

Stewart Kenny's men produced a dominant second half showing to overwhelm their hosts, hitting four goals after the break.

Ryan McInnes hit the post, and had an eighth minute penalty stopped by Sean Robertson, as Saints started brightly but, in the 20th minute, the visitors struck with a spot-kick of their own thanks to Stuart Love.

It took them just six minutes of the second half to double their lead when Ross Gruar lobbed the goalkeeper, with Love making it 3-0 just after the hour.

Jonny Harrison added a fourth with 13 minutes to go and, to put the icing on the cake, Love headed home to complete his hat-trick.

Easthouses Lily 0 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3, East of Scotland League, First Division, Conference B

INVERKEITHING Hillfield Swifts made it two wins from two after enjoying a fine night on the road at Easthouses Lily.

Lee Duffy and Grant Brough's men built on their opening day win over Glenrothes in impressive fashion, and Robert Kinnaird's first half volley set them on their way.

However, before half-time, Mark Rowbotham was needed to save a home penalty to keep the Swifts' noses in front, and they went on to double their lead when Gavin Smith's cross allowed Kinnaird to net his second of the evening.

Smith was at the heart of their third goal when, after breaking behind his opponent, he squared for Ally Griffin to complete a fine victory.

Saturday's fixtures (kick-off 2.30pm unless stated): Lowland League – Caledonian Braves v Kelty Hearts (3pm).

East of Scotland League, Premier Division – Crossgates Primrose v Bo'ness United.

First Division, Conference A – Oakley United v Leith Athletic. Conference B – Arniston Rangers v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.

McBookie.com South Premier League – Linlithgow Rose CFC v Rosyth.

Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm): Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Cup, First Round – Kelty Hearts v Kilmarnock Colts.

Wednesday (kick-off 6.45pm): McBookie.com South Premier League – Newburgh v Rosyth.