Hearts closing in on title

While they were winning, Bonnyrigg Rose kept up the chase by hitting six goals past Broughty Athletic on Tayside so it means that if the Lothians side fail to win in their next three games it will be Hearts’ title.

They play Jeanfield Swifts at home tonight (Wednesday) and then Carnoustie Panmure on Saturday, again at home. If they rack up wins in their three games in hand it would go down to the last game of the season on Saturday June 3 at New Central Park when Rose are the visitors.

Linlithgow Rose 0,

Kelty Hearts 2.

HEARTS knew that a win at Linlithgow could open the title door so they had to be fully focused on beating the former champions.

It turned into a very tight game with Rose trying hard to stop the Kelty bandwagon.

Linlithgow have not had a happy league season although they did reach the Scottish Junior Cup semis, but not one of the Hearts squad expected an easy game.

The early stages were very tight with defences doing well but the Kelty midfield were strong and a few chances came their way.

Brian Ritchie was a constant threat to Rose and he brought out a couple of good saves from the Linlithgow ‘keeper in the opening 45 minutes.

The hosts did have a couple of decent openings themselves but Kyle Marley made sure that at the break the scoreline was goalless.

However, Hearts started the second-half well and in 50 minutes got the breakthrough. A cross was perfect for Cabey McCabe and his header from close range gave the ‘keeper no chance.

Rose were deflated and in 58 minutes a terrible piece of defending by them gave fit again Scott Dalziel the chance to make it 2-0 and he finished expertly from the edge of the box.

There was no way back for the home side and Hearts could have made it more emphatic but the big travelling support were just happy to see full points won.

Kelty player/boss Thomas Courts Tweeted: “The lads were cheered on by a healthy vocal support. Everyone giving their all together.”

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 0,

Lochee United 2.

HAWS, playing their last Super League game before new manager Kevin Fotheringham takes charge, had six trialists in the team with injuries, suspensions and unavailabilities leaving them with only seven signed players.

Lochee sensed that it would take the patchwork Hill of Beath team time to settle and they went straight on the attack and scored early in the game.

A second before the 15 minute mark put them in charge but it was not long before Haws started to come back at them.

Calum Adamson’s pace was a problem for Lochee and he forced a fine save out of their ‘keeper.

In the second-half Haws had the bulk of possession and Adamson again brought out a fine save from the ‘keeper before Lee Bryce hit a post.

Haws had chances but could just not get a goal so they finish the season on 34 points and chairman Dave Baillie confirmed that Kevin Fotheringham would be at the helm for the new season.

He said: “Kevin is a former player who had a good senior career and has managed in the junior ranks.

“He will be joined by coaches Darren Wright, Stevie McInroy and John Wylie and we feel it is the right blend as we look to build a squad that can mount strong challenges in league and cup competitions.”

Lochgelly Albert 2,

Dunbar United 0.

THE Berts went in to this game with the South Division Champions Dunbar looking to maintain their unbeaten league run in 2017.

If United thought they would pick up three easy points they soon found they were wrong with Albert starting strongly and creating chances.

Stevie Brown saw a fierce shot finger tipped over while Dunbar had a couple of half chances without working Colin Rushford.

The breakthrough came in 28 minutes when Lewis Elder was tripped in the Dunbar box and Brown, playing his last game for the Berts, took the penalty. His shot was blocked by the ‘keeper but the Lochgelly player reacted well and was able to follow up to head in the rebound and net his team’s 100th goal of the season.

It was all Lochgelly and the second came in 43 minutes when John Duffy was in the right place to head past the ‘keeper.

The Berts went looking for more goals after the break but Dunbar tightened up and started to create a few chances themselves.

However, still Lochgelly looked dangerous and Duffy and Elder went close to adding to the tally before Ryan McEwan saw the ‘keeper made a brilliant save from his shot.

The game ended at 2-0 and it meant that the fourth top Albert, with a record number of points for the club on 57, finished in clear fourth place.

Berts secretary Ian Patrick was pleased with the campaign: “A couple of defeats and draws towards the end of last year gave the top two sides the chance to get away a bit but we beat these sides in the second half of the season and all in all it was a campaign with a lot of good results and goals.

“While Stevie Brown is retiring Scott Gibson and Ryan McEwan have signed new deals and with the manager having his eyes on a couple of new players things are looking exciting for next term.”

Lochore Welfare 0,

Arbroath Vics 3.

A DISAPPOINTING end to the season for Welfare but the young team will have learned a lot from the North Division campaign.

After the romping 5-1 win over Brechin Vics the previous Saturday, Welfare fans had high hopes of winning this one but the Lichties had other ideas.

They defended solidly and scored at the right time to take the wind out of the Lochore sails.

Once Vics got ahead they started to control a lot of the play but Lochore always looked capable of getting a goal.

Two more goals for Arbroath saw Lochore end up with 14 points from their 28 games and a finish on the second bottom slot.

Lochore chairman John Kirkland feels the club is going in the right direction but would welcome more people getting involved in the running of it.

A meeting is being held this Thursday night to discuss the way ahead at the Lochore Welfare Social Club at 7pm and anyone interested in getting involved is welcome to attend.