Kelty Hearts 1, Cove Rangers 3.
Kelty Hearts boss Michael Tidser was left ruing missed opportunities as his side conceded two late goals to sink to a 3-1 defeat against Cove Rangers.
The Fife side looked like they had done enough for a share of the points at least but goals in the 85th and 92nd minute meant a scoreline that didn’t flatter the home side.
Kelty had started the game on top spot in league one with Cove in second bottom position.
However, the gap was only four points and the tie was always going to be a close encounter.
“I am frustrated,” he said. “There was plenty in the game that was positive in terms of how we played.
“I wont sugar coat it. From outside looking in you would think we maybe took a bit of a doing there but that wasn’t the case. Two late goals but as I said, you need to be ruthless in this league because it is that tight. We shouldn’t have to have five or six chances to win a game of football.”
Tidser is confident his team can bounce back and show their mettle in the coming weeks as they look to strengthen their position near the top of the table.
“There will be peaks and troughs, ups and downs. Teams will beat teams. We seen today, there’s been draws there’s wins. It is going to be a really difficult league.
“My frustrations are the facts that we are here - we have had four or five good chances and we are going to go away down the road getting beat 3-1. That’s the bit that sticks in your throat but it is football .
“I will get them going again Tuesday then Thursday then we have got Alloa next week which is a really tough game again.”
The first foray on goal for Kelty came just before the 10 minute mark when the ball came out to Tam O’Ware. From just outside the box, he drove in a low shot but it was no problem for the Cove keeper Suman.
Luke McCarvel was next to try a long-range effort. His attempt was saved but not collected by Suman. The advancing Scott Williamson tried to get on the end of the follow up but the danger was cleared.
Kelty should have gone ahead with just over 20 minutes in the clock. Moore crossed in but Williamson’s effort from around a yard out when wide.
Kelty keeper Ruairidh Adams was called into action after minutes when he palmed over a Michael Megginson effort.
Just five minutes later, it was Megginson who claimed the only goal of the first half. The ball was crossed in, the Cove attacker appeared to get a touch and the ball evaded Adams and found its way into the back of the net.
Kelty came out strong in the second half and they were level on 63 minutes.
Ross Cunningham got the ball on the edge of the box and did well to turn and find some space before firing in a low drive into the net.
Surman did well to put in a strong challenge and was able to kick the ball clear.
At the other end, Cove sub Adam Emslie hit a shot from just inside the box but Adams was able to collect the ball without any issues.
With just five minutes to go, Blair Yule put his side ahead. The ball came out to him after a free kick and he fired a superb effort into the net, leaving Adams with no chance.
It was three as the clock was ticking into additional time. Findlay Marshall found himself with the ball in the box following a throw in and he calmly slotted the ball into the goal.
For Michael Tidser, the lack of chances taken was frustrating.
“We have got enough chances there to win a couple of games,” he added. “First half Scotty (Williamson) gets a chance, puts it over the bar at two or three yards out .
“That changes games and then we made a mistake for the goal where he parries it . He has been great for us to be fair Ruairidh, but he parries it and the forward Meggison, it hits off Meggison - I don’t even think he knows what is happening
“But I said to the lads at half time, we regroup and I genuinely thought if we scored the first goal we could go and win the game
“Second half I thought we were very much better. We were the team in ascendency and we just couldn’t get that second goal whether that was composure, finishing could be better but it is easy just to blame the forwards.
“That is everybody collectively then obviously we lose the goal which is really poor on our part.
“We give away a sloppy free kick, ball comes in, we don’t clear it properly and the boy Yule, to be fair, puts it in the top corner.
“The third goal is the one that frustrates me the most because I get it. They are trying to waste time and trying to win the game but we are needing leaders out there to go and communicate. It bounces then it goes in the back of the net.
“There was plenty in the game that was positive in terms of how we played. One of the chances we get is great play from down the inside . We build it up and that is the side that pleases me but I am a winner, I want to win games of football so I am disappointed.”
Kelty Hearts
Adams, Paterson, O’Ware, Johnston, Cuningham, Tidser (Millar 81), McCarvel (Owens 58), Williamson, Mercer, Moore, Cleall-Harding.
Subs: Adamson, Cole, Miller, Owens L, Thomas, Bryce, Hobbs.
Goal: Cunningham (63)
Cove Rangers
Suman, Doyle, Scully (Emslie 75), Gillingham, Harrington, Yule, Megginson, Glass (Marshall 68), Darge, Fyvie, Parker.
Subs: Demus, Murray, McGrath, McAllister, Gaffney.
Goals: Megginson (40), Yule (85), Marshall (92)
Attendance: 377
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