All set for 'Scottish' El Clasico

The McBookie.com East Super League leaders take on their old rivals at Central Park and it is a game which is expected to attract a crowd of over 1200 fans.

The Hearts v Haws games, with the club’s villages being less than two miles apart, has always carried a real derby tag and this really is a huge game for the two sides.

Hearts have being having a fantastic season and are unbeaten in the Super League earning a 17 point gap at the top between themselves and closest challengers Bonnyrigg Rose.

They have been scoring goals for fun while Haws have been recording some really impressive results, but have lacked consistency.

When the teams clashed in the league at Keir’s Park in the autumn Hearts ran out 5-2 winners, although the home team had to play for a large part of the game with ten men after midfielder Adam Moffat had been sent-off.

So while Kelty will go into the game as favourites they will know that if Haws hit form it could be a real battle.

Hearts have been having a great season and have won 16 and drawn two of their 18 league games and have hit the net 53 times.

Their midfield unit has been a real reason for their consistency with former Dunfermline Athletic link man, Stephen Husband, in superb form alongside captain Shaun Greig.

The goals have been pretty well spread around the team with Husband hitting many from free-kicks, while Scott Dalziel, Brian Ritchie, Craig Thomson, Stuart Cargill and Archie Campbell have made strong contributions.

Player/boss Thomas Courts and Sean O’Neil have been the rocks at the back for the Hearts and their work has ensured that opponents have to work hard to carve out chances.

Thomas feels it is a game which could well live up to the ‘El Clasico’ tag: “There will be a tremendous crowd at the match and I am sure that it will be a very good contest.

“The clubs have always had a good rivalry in the very best of ways and the fact that this is the first time they have met in the Scottish Cup makes it extra special.

“We have been having a good season, but in this sort of derby fixture, the form book can go out of the window so we know that we will have to be at our best to make round five.

“The fact that our hospitality suite was sold out in a matter of days after the draw was made says it all what the punters think about the fixture and it is a game that all the Kelty players will want to be involved in.”

He added: “There have been a few niggling knocks in the squad but I am pretty sure that every one of the players will be desperate to play in this game.

“We will be giving the Haws the utmost respect but we are desperate to get through to the fifth round.”

Hill of Beath boss Bobby Wilson described it as the biggest local ‘Scottish’ tie he can remember.

The man who was instrumental in Haws’ OVD Scottish Cup win in 1990, from his attacking midfield role, said this week that it was a game to savour: “In the modern era it certainly has to be the biggest Scottish tie on the Fife scene and one which has certainly caught the imagination of the public.

“Hearts have been doing superbly well this season and deservedly lead the Super League by some distance but we are going to Kelty to try to win the tie.

“Our biggest problem this season has been consistency. We have a young side and they have produced some superb performances and results, but at times they have failed to produce their best form week in week out.

“That is something we have been working on and hopefully this weekend the fans will see the Haws at their best.

“It will be a superb occasion and a real showpiece for the junior game in this area.”

Bobby will be without midfielder Lee Reid, who is suspended, but otherwise will be at full strength and he will be looking to wide players Lee Bryce and Calum Adamson to provide problems for Hearts and high scoring Tam Hampson to get amongst the goals.

The game will have a 1.45pm start and the good news weatherwise is that the forecast suggests it should be a pleasant day for football.