Bathgate travelled to Fife for the first of three consecutive visits.

Welshy was away so the back four was slightly rearranged to McNeill, Watson, Brady and Wilson. Bathgate dominated the game against a very young Lochgelly side and carved out early chances. The deadlock was broken by a long range shot from Andy Malone which went in off the post. The lead was doubled when Declan Brady fired in from the right side of the box which gave Bathgate a 2-0 lead at half time.

The second half continued in the same manner but it took a while before Bathgate added a third when Martin Jack broke down the right and his low cross was turned in by Mark Aitken.

Lochgelly continued to try and play football and thought they had scored from a very good long range free kick but again, Brett Long in goals produced a superb save to tip it over the bar.

We’ll be back up to Lochgelly again at some point in the next round of the East of Scotland Cup.

Final score:  Lochgelly Albert 0  Bathgate Thistle 3