Drama at Bonnyrigg as Hearts collect point

Andrew Cowie • Published 24 Feb 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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FROST decimated the local junior card on Saturday and only two sides saw action with Kelty Hearts collecting a very useful East Super League point.

Lochgelly Albert saw Gardiner's Park, the highest junior ground in Fife, beat the freezing weather, but this time they slumped to another defeat at the hands of Kirkcaldy YM in the Central League.

Bonnyrigg Rose 3, Kelty Hearts 3.

THIS was a real thriller with some good goals and two penalties in the closing seconds of the match.

Hearts opened the game well and had bottom of the table Bonnyrigg under pressure and the home 'keeper made a couple of good stops.

They went in front when after good build-up play Stefan Winiarski fired a low 20 yard shot into the net.

Rose started to compete well in the midfield area and had one or two good chances but had to wait until the 43rd minutre to get the equaliser.

Kelty began the second period in lively fashion and in the 65th minute Scott Lawrie's shot was parried by the 'keeper and Neil McCabe followed up to put Hearts back in front.

But the home side rallied again and levelled in the 75th minute and then Kelty goalkeeper Allan Fleming made three excellent saves.

Hearts were up against it now and in the 89th minute Rose were warded a penalty after an incident in the Kelty box which was converted to give the home side the lead.

But almost immediately Bonnyrigg had a man sent-off for a violent challenge on Graham Findlay and Hearts swarmed all over their goal in the closing seconds.

Tom McGeorge was floored going forward in the box with seconds left and Winiarski stepped up to fire home the equaliser from the spot.

Said a pleased Kelty boss Stevie Leighton, "We played particularly well in the opening 20 minutes of each half and could have scored more than we did in these phases of the game.

"They finished the match strongly and when they went 3-2 up late on it was a bad blow but we kept on working away and deserved to level from the spot.

"Bonnyrigg are a pretty useful side and will not be at the bottom of the table at the end of the season."

Lochgelly Albert 1, Kirkcaldy YM 4.

THE strong sun of Saturday morning made Gardiner's Park playable and in the only junior game played in Fife Albert were outgunned by the YM.

The visitors have been doing well in the table and started impressively and took the lead in 25 minutes with a well placed shot.

On the half-hour YM stretched their lead with another good finish and Lochgelly were in real trouble.

But back they came to create several openings and when Andy Barratt's shot was parried by the Kirkcaldy 'keeper Stevie Brown followed up to score to make the break score 2-1.

Albert fans were hopeful of a real battle in the second period but something of a controversial penalty on the hour settled the fixture.

As Albert 'keeper Colin Rushford came off his line to punch clear the referee adjudged he pushed a YM player and pointed to the spot.

The award was converted and although Ross Kinnell's header hit the bar for Lochgelly, Kirkcaldy tied up the points in 75 minutes with a fourth to leave Albert in third bottom spot.

Said Lochgelly's Rab Beveridge, "It is not often that Gardiner's Park is the only playable junior park in the county but we were unable to take advantage of the situation.

"In saying that we fought back well after a very decent Kirkcaldy side grabbed an early two goal lead and the penalty had a major influence on the result.

"We really need to win this Saturday at Luncarty."

Saturday's fixtures: Emirates Scottish Junior Cup fifth round, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Shotts Bon Accord (2.30).

East Super League, Kelty Hearts v Camelon (2.30). East Premier League, Forfar West End v Ballingry Rovers (2.30).

Central League, Luncarty v Lochgelly Albert, Newburgh v Crossgates Primrose, Scone Thistle v Dundonald Bluebell, Lochore Welfare v Kirkcaldy YM (2.30).

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