A GOOD performance from Kelty Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Cup and fine away wins for Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell were the main talking points from Saturday’s football card.

On top of that there was a comprehensive South Division win for Lochore Welfare.

Peterhead 3,

Kelty Hearts 2.

THIS was always going to be a very hard task for the Lowland League side in Scottish Cup action against the team which has its sights set on the League 2 title.

Hearts had an early blow when veteran striker Scott Dalziel went down with a head injury and had to be subbed by Matt Gay.

But they did not let it upset them and they worked hard at trying to stay with the attacking hosts, although they paid for an error in nine minutes.

Conrad Courts’ pass went to a blue shirt and Russell McLean picked his spot behind Scott Christie.

The visitors came back into the tie and levelled in 21 minutes when Ciaran Chalmers was in the perfect place to head home.

Kelty took real energy from the goal and posed a few problems for Peterhead, although Gay twice got in good efforts for the visitors.

Level at the break, Hearts started the second period well and created a couple of half chances but in 71 minutes they were caught out by the home team’s dangerous front man Rory McAllister.

This gave the Blue Toon the advantage but Kelty came back at the hosts and Ian Nimmo went close but Derek Fyfe’s header from a Jamie Stevenson corner late on put the tie out of sight.

However, Hearts never gave up and Gay struck in time added on, and they certainly deserved it.

So the Scottish Cup adventure is over and the Barry Ferguson era is about to begin.

Hawick Royal Albert 1,

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 3.

HAWS went to the Borders and made it six East of Scotland League Conference A wins in a row.

Royal Albert are a stuffy side and set their stall out to keep Hill of Beath contained, but their plans were thrown asunder in 15 minutes.

Calum Adamson made on of his incisive runs and his cross was perfect for Greg Smith to head past the ‘keeper.

Five minutes later Haws were well on their way to victory. Adamson was again the creator with a lovely cross and Daniel Watt forced the ball over the line.

There were chances for more goals for the visitors as Hawick struggled but only the two separated the sides at the break.

Hill of Beath started the second period solidly and probed for a clincher but Hawick managed to keep them out.

Then on the hour the goal they wanted came. Smith was hauled down in the box and Lee Reid converted the spot kick.

Haws were looking to add to their tally but seemed just to be over elaborate in some of their work and moves broke down.

Then in the closing minutes the home side were given a late boost when they pulled one back in a break-away.

The result has Haws on 18 points, one behind leaders Penicuik with a game in hand, but manager Kevin Fotheringham was not over impressed with the overall show: “We got early goals to put us in charge but to be honest it was not a good performance.

“The longer the game went the worse things got so we will have to improve in the hard games coming up.”

Eyemouth United 3,

Dundonald Bluebell 6.

THE ‘Bell kept up their EoS League Conference B challenge in the Borders with a goal littered win.

Eyemouth have struggled at the back all season and it did not take Dundonald long to get in front with a good finish from Sean O’Neil after a fine Mike Ness cross.

They soon added a second from a fierce Billy Rogerson shot but Eyemouth were showing signs of starting to pose some problems for the ‘Bell but when O’Neil charged down a midfield ball and sent Archie Campbell in on goal he made it 3-0 and visiting fans thought game over.

Eyemouth, however, stunned ‘Bell just before the break and in the second period the goals continue to flow but it was United who netted after a free-kick into the box to make it 3-2.

Bluebell introduced Lewis McKenzie and it made a real difference with the attacking midfielder scoring twice to take the game away from Eyemouth.

A sixth from Campbell wrapped up the points but another goal for United completed an entertaining nine goal match.

The result has ‘Bell on 19 points and joint top with Bonnyrigg Rose with a game more played.

Bluebell boss Jason Dair was pleased with the win but unhappy about the overall performance: “Three good points but we seemed to think the game was over at 3-0 and allowed them to come right back into the game,

“However, we created some outstanding chances and the win keeps us up at the top of the table, albeit we have played a game more and there is a tough game at home this week against Boness.”

Harthill Royal 3,

Lochgelly Albert 1.

THE managerless Berts started this South Division game well and competed effectively throughout but eventually were outgunned by Harthill.

Royal took the lead in 15 minutes when a free-kick was whipped into the box and an unmarked Harthill player headed home.

Sean Hunter kept Lochgelly in the game with some great saves but there was nothing he could do about the second Royal goal.

An unfortunate trip in the box saw a penalty awarded and it was converted to make the half-time score 2-0.

Lochgelly started the second period well and with 23 minutes left got one back when Ricky Cooper scored direct from a corner.

There were a couple of half chances which could have earned a second but Harthill survived and with nine minutes left they got the key third goal through some poor Berts defending.

So Albert sit bottom of the table and secretary Ian Patrick revealed that it should not be long before a new manager is in place.

He said: “We battled away but just made a few key mistakes which proved costly.

“We intend to do some interviews this week and we will see where it takes us.”

Lochore Welfare 3,

Newburgh 0.

A VERY good performance from the managerless Welfare which moved them a bit up the South Division table to ninth spot.

Welfare, under James Adam, went at Newburgh from the first whistle and the young home side created chances.

The ‘Burgh ‘keeper had some good saves but the pressure paid off with an excellent finish from James McNeish who fired in an angled lob from 25 yards.

There could have been more Welfare goals before the break but in the second period there was no let up from the home side.

It was all Lochore and Newburgh seldom threatened, however, they needed a second and it came in 65 minutes from Sean Johnstone who finished superbly from 20 yards after going one-on-one with the ‘keeper.

Newburgh were completely out of the picture and the third goal with 15 minutes left came again from Johnstone after a superb Lochore move.

Joe Kinninmonth was twice only denied by some excellent goalkeeping and it was a very satisfying win for the young Welfare side.

Chairman John Kirkland said: “It was a good performance all over the pitch from the lads and possibly the margin could have been much bigger.

“James Adam is going to look after the side for the next three weeks and we will make a decision on an appointment then.”

Saturday’s fixtures, Lowland League, Kelty Hearts v Gala Fairydean (3pm). East of Scotland League Conference A, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Arniston Rangers. Conference B, Dundonald Bluebell v Boness United, Crossgates Primrose v Burntisland Shipyard.

South Division, Newburgh v Lochgelly Albert, Lochore Welfare v Bathgate Thistle (games 2.30pm).