SATURDAY’S local football card was cut in half by the torrential rain of the morning but three local clubs saw action and there were no wins.

Kelty Hearts, playing their first game without manager Thomas Courts, went down at East Stirling in the South Challenge Cup, and there were defeats for Lochgelly Albert and Lochore Welfare in the VTech Fife and Lothians Cup, although the Berts were only beaten on penalties.

East Stirling 3,

Kelty Hearts 2.

MURRAY McDowell was charged with leading Hearts in this South Challenge Cup tie with ‘Shire at the Falkirk Stadium after Courts’ decision to resign on Thursday.

But there did not seem to be any hangover and Kelty started the game well.

They created a couple of good chances early in the game and took the lead from one of them with a fine finish from midfielder Ciaran Chalmers.

East Stirling have one or two really experienced players and were not upset by losing the goal and came back at Hearts putting them under a bit of pressure and with veteran Andy Rodgers posing problems.

Kelty ‘keeper Scott Christie produced several good stops but Hearts had a couple of chances to increase the lead.

The interval whistle came with Hearts still ahead but soon after the re-start Paul McCafferty levelled the game.

‘Shire upped the tempo and grabbed the lead when a free-kick into the Kelty box posed problems and after a goalmouth scramble Rodgers blasted East Stirling ahead.

Kelty came back and a Murray Carstairs header went close but soon after Rodgers added a third for the home side from close in.

Hearts never lessened their commitment and Stuart Cargill pulled one back and in the closing stages there were chances to take the game to penalties but it was not Hearts’ day.

Lochgelly Albert 4,

Newburgh 4.

(Newburgh win 5-4 on penalties).

EVIDENCE that the upgrading of the Gardiner’s Park drainage works is working came on Saturday when this VTech Fife and Lothians tie went ahead despite the morning deluge.

The Berts made a cracking start to the game with caretaker boss Dave Sheach at the helm when Ricky Cooper cut in from the left and fired a superb shot high into the net.

Burgh were struggling to contain the eager home side and they grabbed a second when Scott Devaney was put through and he made an expert job of the finish.

Things were looking good for the Berts but in 34 minutes a defensive slip allowed Burgh to get one back and then three minutes from the break a chip to the back post caught out the Berts defence and the equaliser was slotted home.

The Albert were deflated by losing their lead but started the second period well and went ahead again in 56 minutes when youngster Dan Thomson’s shot was blocked but Devaney was in the perfect place to restore the home side’s lead.

Ten minutes later things were looking really good for the Berts when Stevie Stark tucked their fourth away but instead of going on to punish the visitors Newburgh pulled one back after some indifferent defending in 76 minutes and a corner was not cleared

Then in the closing moments another corner was not dealt with by the home rearguard and the equaliser was slotted home.

It took the tie to a penalty shoot-out and the first eight were converted. Burgh netted their fifth but Michael Perrie saw his penalty come back off a post and the home side were out.

Berts secretary Ian Patrick said that the club was not going to rush into appointing a new boss: “Dave Sheach is happy to remain as caretaker until we get the right person so we will take our time over the selection process.

“It was a shame not to win the tie because the lads played well and scored some cracking goals. It was unusual for Michael to miss a penalty but these things happen.”

Glenrothes 5,

Lochore Welfare 2.

THIS VTech Fife and Lothians tie was Lochore boss Andy Healy’s last game in charge of the club.

After the defeat at Warout he and club chairman John Kirkland mutually agreed to a parting of the ways.

Said Andy: “I have been concerned about some aspects of our play in recent games and Saturday’s was a really disappointing performance and after the game the chairman and myself had a discussion and we agreed to a mutual parting of the ways.

“I feel that whoever takes over will have a good young squad of players to use and I am sure the team will move up the table.”

He added: “I was given the task two and a half years ago to try and rebuild the club and I feel that there is good quality talent at the Welfare and the set-up is in better shape now and has a bright future.

“I have had tremendous support from my coaches, the committee and the chairman, along with the players, and I thank them all.”

The club issued a statement on Sunday which said: "After two and a half successful years the club and manager Andy Healy have made a decision to go their own ways.

"Andy was brought to the club at one of its lowest points and asked to put a team together, which he did, and saved the club from a season in abeyance.

"Andy leaves the club in a far better position than it was in when he arrived and we would like to thank him for his total commitment to Lochore and wish him well for the future." Experienced James Adam will look after team affairs meantime.

The Super League team were the better side in the first period and got their noses in front in seven minutes and it was a disaster for the Welfare with a defender turning the ball into his own net from the edge of the box.

Lochore were trying to create chances but were getting frustrated by the home defence and in 20 minutes Kieryan Hicks mistimed a tackle in the Welfare box but Liam Valentine saved the penalty. However, six minutes from the break Glens doubled their lead after some poor marking, but a minute from the whistle Joe Kinninmonth fired just over.

Lochore started the second-half well and a fine more saw pull one back with a Hicks header from a corner on the hour but they only held the position for three minutes when a lapse allowed Glens in to restore their two goal advantage with Todd Arthur and Jamie McNeish failing to clear their lines.

In 69 minutes Glenrothes got number four but soon after Lochore made it 4-2 with a goal from Aaron Woods after good work by Kinninmonth.

The visitors kept working hard and had chances to get a third but a fifth in 75 minutes made the tie safe for the hosts.

Saturday’s fixtures, William Hill Scottish Cup, Peterhead v Kelty Hearts (3pm).

East of Scotland League Conference A, Hawick Royal Albert v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. EoS League Conference B, Eyemouth United v Dundonald Bluebell.

South Division, Harthill Royal v Lochgelly Albert, Lochore Welfare v Newburgh (all games 2.30).