While Kelty Hearts were winning at Penicuik, Hill of Beath Hawthorn were too good for Musselburgh so both sides were be raring to go in the East Super League’s game of the season so far last night.

Penicuik Athletic 1, Kelty Hearts 3.

HEARTS made it back-to-back wins with this Lothians success and went second top of the table on goal difference.

Penicuik are a team which always provide problems for opponents on their own park and this game turned into a really competitive affair with Kelty just carrying the edge.

The opening stages saw the respective defences working hard to nullify two lively front lines and it took a brilliant strike to break the deadlock.

It came from the visitors’ Paul Currie in 25 minutes whose brilliantly struck 20 yard volley gave the ‘keeper no chance.

Hearts were looking for a second but Athletic came right back into the picture and they grabbed the equaliser two minutes later.

Both teams were looking capable of adding to their tally but at the break the scoreline was level and in the second period Hearts started to gave a greater share of possession.

They probed for a second and when it came in 50 minutes it was another screamer of a volley from Currie which left the ‘keeper helpless after Calum Smith had knocked the ball down well.

A goal clear, Kelty went for the killer third but they had to be on the alert at the back as Penicuik were not for giving up and created a couple of near things.

The vital third came on ther hour when a ball was slung into the Athletic box from a corner by Conrad Courts and Murray Carstairs met it and his header flew into the net to ensure another away win for Hearts.

Hearts player/boss Thomas Courts said, “Out of the first three games, we’ve actually played better in the one that we lost!

“I’m content with the way things are going just now and I’m happy that we’re at the top end of the league again. We’ve picked up six points from nine but we’re trying to get more consistency in our performances and results, and I’d like to see us dominate games for longer and make things easier for ourselves.” Musselburgh Athletic 0, Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2.

AFTER coming so close to beating Boness on Wednesday, Haws made no mistake in East Lothian collecting their first Super League win of the campaign.

‘Burgh found the going tough as Haws bossed stretches of the first-half with the midfield winning a lot of possession.

However, the Athletic rearguard worked hard to keep the visitors in check and at the break there were no goals.

Hill of Beath came out strongly at the start of the second period and in 50 minutes took the lead.

A corner posed problems for Musselburgh and Lewis McKenzie got on the end of it and his header nestled into the net. It was all Haws now and ten minutes later Lee Bryce set up McKenzie who cleverly slid the ball past the ‘keeper.

For a spell ‘Burgh came back strongly and the visiting defence had to be on the alert but they weathered the storm and after the home side were reduced to ten men Haws looked capable of adding to their tally. But then Haws’ Colin Wilson was red carded and the visitors were happy to see out time.

Haws boss Bobby Wilson was delighted with the way his team tackled the Musselburgh challenge, “We were a bit unlucky not to get something at Boness but the lads knuckled down and produced a good performance against a team who always give you problems on their own park.

“We were really solid throughout and it was a thoroughly deserved win and now we have the derby game with Kelty which will be a very interesting test.” Bathgate Thistle 1, Dundonald Bluebell 2.

THIS was a game which needed Bluebell to work hard for the entire 90 minutes to hold on to their joint top spot in the East Premier League table.

The first-half saw the big strong Thistle side contain the Dundonald attacks well and make several raids themselves but clear cut chances were few and the break scoreline was blank. The second period started with Dundonald looking a lot more creative and they took the lead in the 63rd minute when Scott Lawrie fired home a free-kick. However, Bathgate came back at Bluebell and grabbed an equaliser and for a spell posed problems for Bluebell.

But the visitors showed resolve and grabbed the winner with less than 15 minutes left when Lawrie was fouled in the box and Calum Young converted the spot-kick to keep Dundonald joint top.

Bluebell player/boss Craig Morrison felt his team did not reach the heights of their previous two games but they sit at the top with Jeanfield and Dalkeith Thistle, on nine points.

“Not a great performance but it was a game that last season we could have drawn or lost,” said Craig.

“We dug in after they levelled and stuck at it and grabbed the winner which sets up a very big game on Wednesday night with Jeanfield Swifts.

“We were a few short on Saturday for various reasons but should have a pretty full squad for midweek.” Lochgelly Albert 9, Crossgates Primrose 1.

ALBERT ran riot in the second-half to collect their first South Division win of the season.

There had been little in it in the first-half as Crossgates utilised the strong wind, blowing down the park, to pose the Berts problems.

Gary Pearson fired the hosts ahead but Primrose were soon back on level terms through Dale Prattis as they competed well. Lochgelly got stronger as the half continued and two goals in as many minutes before the break changed the complexion of the game.

Stuart Gibson hit the second and then Stevie Bathgate slotted home to make the interval score 3-1.

With the elements behind them in the second-half it was all Albert and the Primrose defence was under heavy pressure. Ryan Robertson added number four from the spot in 50 minutes and when Michael Perrie made it 5-1 it became a damage limitation exercise for Crossgates. The Berts were not for easing off though and the home side’s man of the match, Gibson, brought the total to six .

Darren Seath got in on the scoring act as the game went into the last quarter and further goals from Bathgate and Calum Wylie, direct from a corner, tied up a big home win.

Lochore Welfare 1, Coupar Angus 3.

A DISAPPOINTING North Division result for the Welfare against a team that stood at the top of the table on Saturday night.

There was little between the sides in the first period as play flowed from end to end and both sides created half chances.

Defences held firm until Coupar Angus grabbed the lead when Willie Campbell, in trying to mop up danger by conceding a corner, sent a diving header into his own net. Lochore fought back well but Coupar Angus defended well and went in at the interval just ahead.

The home side introduced Ryan Blackadder and Craig McGuire for the second period and took the game to the visitors and when Daniel Watt set up Scott Renton his 20 yarder flew into the net.

For a spell Lochore looked like they were going to take a complete grip of the game but the visitors came roaring back into the picture and with 20 minutes left Welfare were caught short at the back and Coupar Angus broke away to take the lead. Welfare went after the equaliser and there were a couple chances for them but in another swift raid Coupar Angus grabbed the killer third goal.

Lochore player/coach John Cusick felt the team did not play anything like as well as they can, “Coupar Angus are a much improved side this season but we should have done a lot better.

“We made too many mistakes and to be honest did not deserve anything from the match.” This week’s fixtures: Tonight (Wednesday), McBookie.com East Super League, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Kelty Hearts. McBookie.com East Premier League, Dundonald Bluebell v Jeanfield Swifts (7pm).

Saturday, McBookie.com East Super League, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Broxburn Athletic, Bonnyrigg Rose v Kelty Hearts. McBookie.com East Premier League, Dundonald Bluebell v Falkirk JFC. McBookie.com South Division, Lochgelly Albert v Whitburn, Crossgates Primrose v Livingston United. McBookie.com North Division, Kinnoull v Lochore Welfare (2.30).