KELTY Hearts bounced back from their shock East of Scotland Cup defeat by beating Camelon on Saturday and moving to within one point of the top of the East Super League.

The weather again curtailed the local card with only three matches beating another downpour, but joining Hearts in the winning enclosure were Dundonald Bluebell and Lochore Welfare.

Kelty Hearts 3, Camelon 0.

AFTER being shocked by Tayport’s late winner the previous week Kelty were in determined form when they took on the Falkirk side on the Central Park superturf.

Like the previous week the artificial surface ensured that the rain did not produce a lottery and the hosts moved the ball about well and were comfortable winners.

Camelon have been producing good results this season and sit mid-table so it was never going to be an easy task to win this, and the first period showed just that.

Camelon defended in an organised fashion which saw the home side huff and puff around the visiting box but unable to hit the net.

Scott Dalziel, back in action, came close a couple of times as did back in action Stuart Cargill, but at the break there were no goals.

Fans were thinking, could this be another blank day for the Hearts, but things changed in the second-half.

Scott Gilfillan, back from a loan spell at Rosyth, and Conrad Courts were finding space in wide areas and sending over some fine crosses and it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough came and it was Dalziel who got the opener.

Camelon had to come out now and it allowed Hearts to find more space and the pressure was rewarded with a second goal which came off a visiting defender.

Kelty were in complete charge and a third goal had to come and it was Cargill who grabbed it to leave Hearts one point off top spot, currently occupied by Penicuik, who have played three games more.

Montrose Roselea 2, Dundonald Bluebell 4.

BLUEBELL headed north in a bid to make it ten games unbeaten but they had to work hard to close out battling Roselea.

The East Premier League is very tight at the top and Dundonald knew they needed a win to ensure they maintained their top three status but it was the home side who made a good start to the game.

Indeed, they grabbed the lead in 16 minutes when ’keeper James Lennox slipped and the goal lifted their spirits and for a spell they looked capable of stretching the lead and then Lennox made a fine save.

However, Dundonald started to exert pressure and on the half hour Ben Anthony took the ball along the top of the Roselea box and fired a superb shot into the net.

It was Bluebell on the up now and Derek Wallace should have scored before Craig Young put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time, when he made a good finish from a Greg Meikle assist.

Montrose, unbeaten at home until Saturday, squared things early in the second period with a back post header, with the Moorside defence caught out, but Dundonald started to take control and Shaun Keating and Anthony should have put them back in front.

However, on the hour the third came for Dundonald when Meikle found Young and he finished well.

Soon after there was the chance to put the game to bed when Meikle was hauled down in the box but Young saw his spot-kick saved, then the situation was repeated and this time Young converted the penalty to put Bluebell two ahead.

Montrose kept battling away but Bluebell saw the game out to move into second top spot, one point behind leaders Jeanfield Swifts, and make it ten games unbeaten.

Bluebell boss, Craig Morrison was pleased with the way his team tackled this challenge: “Roselea are difficult to beat up there and we had to work very hard to get the win.

“However, we created some outstanding chances and the victory has put us in second top place and stretched the unbeaten run. It sets up this week for our Scottish Cup tie with Cumnock, a real test of how we are developing as a team”

Brechin Vics 0, Lochore Welfare 2.

LOCHORE are very much in the North Division promotion race after this win in Angus.

Mid table Brechin posed Welfare early problems and visiting ‘keeper Gary Inglis made a fine save when a Vics player got clear of the defensive cover.

Welfare started to take over in midfield with Ryan Blackadder pulling the strings and they took the lead ten minutes from the break when James Adam curled in a lovely shot from the edge of the box, which hit the inside of a post before hitting the net.

It was enough to give Lochore the interval lead but Brechin started the second-half well and Inglis made another fine save from a fierce 12 yard shot and clearly Welfare were needing a second goal.

It came when Bryan Donnelly’s corner was met by Daniel Watt and his effort was clawed back from over the line by the home ‘keeper, but Lee Celentano followed up to ensure the goal.

Vics kept probing away but Lochore defended well to ensure all three points which puts them in just two points off second top spot.

Lochore player/coach, John Cusick, felt it was a hard won victory: “Vics are a decent team so we had to defend well.

“If we can keep stringing together these sort of performances we can make an impact on the top end of the table.”

Big tests for cup hopefuls

THE draw for the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup has given the three local contenders tough tasks, this Saturday.

Kelty Hearts will get the opportunity to take on Clydebank at Yoker Athletic’s ground.

The Bankies are the team that came out of the demise of the Clydebank senior team many years ago and they have been doing well in the west league structure.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn will take on Ardrossan Winton Rovers at Keir’s Park and they will start this tie as favourites.

Meanwhile Dundonald Bluebell will have to take on former winners, Cumnock, away from home and this will be a big test of Crag Morrison’s outstanding Premier League side.

Saturday’s fixtures: Scottish Junior Cup third round, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Cumnock v Dundonald Bluebell, Clydebank v Kelty Hearts.

McBookie.com South Division, Crossgates Primrose v Whitburn, Pumpherston v Locgelly Albert. McBookie.com North Division, Arbroath Vics v Lochore Welfare (all games 1.45pm).