KELTY Hearts pulled off a win on Saturday which puts them virtually certain of finishing in the runners-up spot in the East Super League, but the result of the day was pulled off by Dundonald Bluebell who marched in to the semi-finals of the D J Laing East of Scotland Cup by winning at Newtongrange.

There was also a fine victory for Lochgelly Albert with the only reverse on the local scene being experienced by Lochore Welfare.

Newtongrange Star 1,

Dundonald Bluebell 2

THE Super Leaguers fancied their chances of making the semis but they did not account for a determined and very good Bluebell team seeking silverware in 2016.

The top five Super League side play to their strengths which is a strong tall front line and from the start Star launched the ball on top of the Dundonald rearguard which defended solidly.

The visitors were hitting hard on the break and Greg Meikle was causing the hosts a lot of problems and in 20 minutes he played his part in the opener.

The striker cleverly held the ball up and squared to Ben Anthony who fired past the ‘keeper.

It was all about Bluebell at this point and Meikle and Lee Duffy worked a good move which saw the player assistant boss get through and and Star ‘keeper made a fine save before Scott Lawrie shot just wide then Aiden Hendry hit the side net.

At the other end the Dundonald rearguard had to work hard to keep tabs on the Star front two but at the break the visitors led by the single goal.

Newtongrange started the second period aggressively and using the long ball put Dundonald under pressure but some good defending kept them out in the first 15 minutes but then a corner produced the ammunition for the equaliser when a strong header appeared to be blocked on the line but the linesman flagged that it had gone over.

This gave Star extra momentum and the Dundonald back line worked well to keep the scoreline level and Bluebell slowly came back into the picture.

The key moment came when Meikle was fouled and Lawrie expertly curled the ball over the wall and ‘keeper to restore Bluebell’s lead from the free-kick.

Star kept plugging away and had a chance late on but the ball was slammed over the bar from close in.

So Bluebell will take on the winners of the Broughty Athletic v Fauldhouse Unitred quarter-final tie in the semis.

It is an exciting time for Dundonald, being in the semi-finals of the East of Scotland and within touching distance of winning promotion to the Super League.

Manager Craig Morrison was delighted with his team’s performance at Newtongrange: “We changed our tactics a bit to keep tabs on Star’s attacking shape and the lads adapted to it well and worked really hard to nullify the tall strike force that they have.

“Yes we had to defend well at times but we went forward with pace and posed them a lot of problems.

“It was a good all round performance and gets into the semis of one of the most prestigious cup competitions.”

Looking at the East Premier League which sees Bluebell on 58 and top. However, with Lochee United being handed three points due to Armadale Thistle, who beat the Dundee team, having played an ineligible player in the game, the Moorsiders are still needing six points to move upstairs.

He added: “If Lochee win all their games we still need six points and we will look to get three of them on Saturday when Arniston Rangers come to Dundonald”.

Camelon 1,

Kelty Hearts 3.

HEARTS knew that Camelon would fight hard for the points on their own park but Kelty can see the runners-up spot staring them in the face.

The Falkirk side started the game pretty well and put the visitors under a bit of pressure.

Kelty held firm and had a couple of openings themselves but they were shocked when the home side grabbed the lead.

Hearts came immediately in to the picture and started to pierce holes in their defensive cover and the leveller came when a good piece of work by Hearts was finished off by Stuart Cargill.

This opened the game up and Camelon were struggling to contain the Kelty strike force with several near things.

Eventually the Hearts pressure wore down the home side and once Archie Campbell had slotted in number two there was only going to be one winner.

Camelon kept working hard and did create a few half chances but at the other end came the key moment Campbell slid home the third and crucial goal.

With Boness United losing their last game to Broughty on Saturday, they have finished on 56 points. Hearts are on 55 with four matches left. Linlithgow are in fourth spot with a point less and a game more played.

It means that three wins will guarantee Hearts the runners-up slot.

Easthouses Lily 0,

Lochgelly Albert 4.

THIS South Division match saw the Berts make it eight games unbeaten and makes them look strong bets for a top six finish.

When the teams clashed at Gardiner’s Park earlier in the season Lily had romped to a four goal win but despite being short of a few regulars the Lochgely strike force looked capable of doing a lot of damage to the home defence.

And inside five minutes they were ahead. John Ferguson was creating space for himself when he was hauled down in the box and the resultant spot kick was fired home by Stevie Brown.

It was all Albert and they carved out a whole host of chances but some misses by the visitors kept Easthouses in it.

Then in 31 minutes came number two. There was some good build up play from Berts and there was Ferguson lying well placed to show good composure before slotting the ball home.

On the interval whistle number three came. Scott Murray went down the wing and his cross was perfect for Ferguson to notch is second and virtually finish the game before the break.

The second period saw Lily try to make a better contest of it but they seldom bothered Chris Gay in the Berts’ goal and at the other end there were a lot of chances for Lochgelly.

The fourth goal seemed to escape the Berts though until the 85th minute. Sub ‘keeper Lee Wilson went on up front and his pass set up Craig Bateson who slotted number four.

The Albert have one game left and if they can beat Rosyth Recreation this weekend it could clinch the Gardiner’s Parkers fifth spot.

Kirriemuir Thistle 3,

Lochore Welfare 2.

ANOTHER North Division game where Welfare left pointless despite having a lot of the game.

Indeed, Lochore were two up at one stage and had chances to get more but ended up on the losing end.

Welfare started well and took the lead in 15 minutes when Lee Celentano started the move with a pass to Daniel Watt who found James Adam and he beat the ‘keeper.

Welfare continued to dominate possession and they had other openings but they had to wait until the 30th minute for number two when Adam sent over a lovely cross and Celentano headed past the ‘keeper.

Things looked really good for Lochore but a minute from the break visiting ‘keeper Gary Inglis and centre-back Jim Davies got in a mix-up and Davies headed into his own goal.

However, Lochore started the second period well and veteran Colin Cameron got clear of the Kirrie defence but pulled his finish wide.

Then shortly after Kirriemuir levelled the game when a home striker got the ball in a suspiciously off-side position and his parting shot struck Ryan Blackadder’s hand and a spot-kick was awarded which was converted.

Kirrie fancied their chances of getting a win now and in the closing minute Inglis and his defenders got in a bit of a pickle and the hosts struck to earn all three points.

The result leaves Welfare in eighth spot and they need to win their closing three games to have a chance to move up the table.

Player/coach John Cusick was left frustrated with the result: “We started the game so well and at two up looked like we could get further ahead, however, a couple of defensive errors cost us dear and the equalising goal came from a player in an off-side position.

“It was so disappointing for we were doing well against a good team but we have to look to pick up some wins in our closing games.”

Fixtures, Wednesday, McBookie.com East Premier League, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Broughty Athletic (7pm).

Friday, McBookie.com East Super League, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v St Andrews United (7.15pm).

Saturday, McBookie.com East Super League, Tayport v Kelty Hearts. McBookie.com, East Premier League, Dundonald Bluebell v Arniston Rangers (1pm). McBookie.com South Division, Lochgelly Albert v Rosyth Recreation. McBookie.com North Division, Scone Thistle v Lochore Welfare (all 2.30pm).