SATURDAY was an historic day in the relatively short history of Kelty Hearts Football Club.

The club was formed in 1975 and filled the gap which was left by the demise of Kelty Rangers, and has gone on to go from strength to strength.

After winning the East Region Junior Super League twice within three seasons Hearts decided to turn senior as seeing it as a proactive approach to the future and last season's success in the East of Scotland League has persuaded a whole host of leading junior sides follow them, including local clubs Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Dundonald Bluebell and Crossgates Primrose.

Saturday's first game in Scotland's fifth tier at New Central Park, against Dalbeattie Star, was indeed a gala day for the Kelty club with their new 300 seater stand, at the Community Centre side of the ground, opened for the first time and the EoS League flag being unfurled.

A big crowd turned up for the day and they saw a very entertaining game which ended level at 2-2 with four cracking goals.

The fans were delighted with what they saw and it looks as if Lowland League is going to be a very competitive league with a host of good games at NCP coming up this season plus a host of cup competitions, including involvement in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Team manager Thomas Courts tweeted on Saturday: "“Frustratedly accepting today’s result against well organised opponents.

“Credit to the players for coming from behind and showing promise in our first SLFL game."

Exciting times ahead at Kelty!