Hearts prove they are serious title challengers

The three points restored Hearts to top spot but the area’s other two Super League teams both lost, while in the East Premier League Dundonald Bluebell eclipsed Oakley United to stay second top and Lochgelly Albert’s charge up the South Division also continued on Saturday.

Kelty Hearts 3, Newtongrange Star 1.

THIS was an excellent advert for the East Super League and it was a match which showed that Hearts’ are very much serious challengers for the title.

And it was a game which saw Kelty dangerman, Stuart Cargill back amongst the goals with a well taken hat-trick.

The opening 45 minutes saw both teams have periods dictating play but it was Hearts who had the better chances with Cargill and Stevie Manson posing Star plenty of problems.

Kelty should have been ahead at the break but within two minutes of the restart they went in front.

The ball was played firmly into the Star box and Cargill went for it with a visiting defender and just got their first to deflect the ball past the ‘keeper.

It was Kelty in charge now and they moved the ball about well and four minutes later it was 2-0. A foul on Cargill in the Newtongrange box saw the referee point to the spot and the front man converted.

But Star came back into the game in 55 minutes when the home defence was caught out and suddenly it was game-on.

Kelty kept their cool and started to dictate play and with 20 minutes to go Cargill fired in number three to tie up the points.

Broxburn Athletic 4, Hill of Beath Hawthorn 0.

A BITTERLY disappointing result for Haws who again failed to convert some good chances and paid the penalty.

After a very even start to the game Broxburn went ahead in 25 minutes after a home front man was fouled in the Hill of Beath box and the spot-kick converted.

But the visitors had chances to draw level and Ian Miller went close so there was hope for the visiting fans for the second-half.

However, Athletic stretched their lead before the hour mark and then five minutes later got a third.

Still Haws were creating chances and Aaron Hay saw his shot finger-tipped over by the home ‘keeper who then defied Miller with a fine save from his powerful header.

Just as it looked if Hill of Beath could get at least one back a 30 yard piledriver settled the issue.

The result pushed Haws down to tenth spot and only three points above the bottom three. Manager Jock Finlayson said, “Yes it was a very bad day at the office. We lost a couple of bad goals but also missed a couple of very good chances. We literally cannot buy a goal at the moment and we are going to have to sort that out quickly.” Musselburgh Athletic 2, Ballingry Rovers 0.

ROVERS were seriously understrength for this Super League clash in East Lothian with only ten fit outfield players available.

But they played well in the first 45 minutes and had fifth top Musselburgh struggling to create many chances.

Indeed, at the other end Ballingry’s Daniel Watt was a real threat and twice threatened to break through for the visitors.

Goalless at the break, the second-half started well for Ballingry with the defence coping well but in 65 minutes Athletic went ahead and this gave the hosts momentum.

But still Rovers kept them in check then at the other end twice Watt went clean through against the Burgh ‘keeper but just could not convert.

Then in the dying seconds Athletic got the safety goal to ensure a home win.

Although disappointed at the result, Rovers boss Willie Garner was pleased with the performance of his side, “It was a real blow to have six regulars out but the lads who played certainly posed real problems for one of the better teams in the league.

“Daniel was disappointed that he did not score but he played very well and was a real threat.

“We should have several players back in action this weekend and I will be looking to add a couple more to the staff before Saturday.” Dundonald Bluebell 2, Oakley United 1.

ANOTHER three East Premier League points for Bluebell which keeps them tucked in two behind leaders Edinburgh United.

Oakley were difficult opponents and played well in long stretches of the game which kept the Moorside fans on their toes.

Dundonald made a great start to the game and took the lead in two minutes when a cross from the right caught out the United defence and Jamie Gilfillan made a clinical job of his finish.

Lewis Elder came close to a second then Ian Lally’s effort was inches off target, but Oakley came back strongly and on the half hour squared the game.

From then to the break it was all about Oakley and the story was the same early in the second-half, with the visitors having the bulk of play but they were unable to get the key second goal.

As the game entered the last quarter Bluebell started to dictate play again and Lally had three chances to put the hosts in front but could not finish.

Then with five minutes left a good home move saw Elder tuck away the winner to ensure the points were staying in Central Fife.

Tranent 0, Lochgelly Albert 2.

ALBERT made it three South Division wins on the trot in East Lothian and moved into the top six on 17 points.

Tranent are a stuffy lot and were concentrating on stopping Lochgelly play but still the Berts had several good chances in the first period.

The visitors were clearly disappointed not to be ahead half-time and in the second 45 Tranent improved and had a lot of possession.

But they did not really force many saves from Albert ‘keeper Lee Wilson although the last line had to show his skills to keep out two good efforts.

Then as the game moved into the closing stages Lochgelly started to carve out openings and in 85 minutes the breakthrough came.

Martin Perrie provided a fine cross and Steven Page nipped in to head past the ‘keeper.

Tranent were shocked and Albert took advantage to tie up the points three minutes later when Greg Colquhoun provided the cross and Perrie headed home to ensure the points were coming to Lochgelly.

Falkirk Juniors 7, Crossgates Primrose 2.

ANOTHER heavy defeat for Primrose but it was only late in the game that Falkirk took a grip of this South Division fixture.

Crossgates made a bright start to the game and Kevin Brown scored inside the early stages and for a time they looked capable of stretching the advantage.

However, Falkirk kept working away and they squared the game and then, before the interval, a second goal put them ahead at the break.

They stretched their advantage at the start of the second-half but immediately a goal from Tony McNeill made it 3-2 and Primrose were still very much in it.

A penalty gave Falkirk the opportunity to restore their two goal advantage and then they started to look that bit more confident. They went 5-2 up and then scored number six before a late penalty made it a sore scoreline for Crossgates.

Blairgowrie 3, Lochore Welfare. 0.

FORMER Ballingry Rovers boss Lee Dair was appointed Lochore Welfare’s new manager before the North Division game at Blairgowrie.

The ex-Cowdenbeath player also took the field on Saturday against Blair due to injury problems, as there were only 11 fit players, and for spells in the match Welfare were posing Blairgowrie problems.

There was little between the sides until on the half hour the home side edged in front but still Lochore’s Calum Deas went close.

The second-half saw Welfare take the game to Blair at times and there were a few opportunities with Lee Celentano unlucky not to score and then trialist David Reid was not far away, but two goals gave Blairgowrie a slightly flattering winning margin.

Lochore chairman John Kirkland is pleased to get the new boss on board, “Lee will be a good acquisition for us and he will be immediately looking to strengthen the squad as we look to climb the table.” Saturday’s fixtures, McBookie.com East Super League, Carnoustie Panmure v Ballingry Rovers. McBookie.com North Division, Kennoway Star Hearts v Lochore Welfare. DFT Fife and Lothians Cup, Kirkcaldy YM v Kelty Hearts. D J Laing East of Scotland Cup, Dundonald Bluebell v Brechin Vics, Lochgelly Albert v Bathgate Thistle, Crossgates Primrose v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (all games 2pm).