Bluebell and Primrose also produce good shows

But there were also encouraging performances from Dundonald Bluebell and Crossgates Primrose, although Lochore Welfare saw their game rained off.

Edusports Academy 0,

Kelty Hearts 1.

A REALLY tough game for Hearts but they kept their shape superbly throughout the 90 minutes and ground out three very important Lowland League points.

With East Kilbride being involved in the William Hill Scottish Cup it gave Hearts the chance to increase their lead at the top of the table, but the game started with both sides defending solidly.

The young home side used the artificial Galabank surface well and moved the ball about positively and posed Hearts a few problems.

However, the Kelty side started to string together a few good moves and Stuart Cargill, supported by Matt Gay, gave the home defence a few problems.

Edu twice threatened with good moves but Scott Christie was not over bothered while at the other end Ciaren Chalmers posed danger for the home side at set pieces.

There were no goals at the break but in the second period Kelty started to have the better of things.

The second period saw better chances emerge for both sides and for Hearts Cargill missed a couple of good openings, however, some good goalkeeping kept them at bay and Hearts were starting to look a little frustrated at not being able to hit the net.

Scott Christie came to the Hearts rescue with two fine saves but at the key time the winning goal came and what a fine finish from Cargill who cracked the ball wide of the ‘keeper with a 25 yard angled shot, one of his best.

Hearts saw the game out and the result puts Hearts four points clear of East Kilbride with two games more played.

Manager Barry Ferguson was delighted with the way his team tackled the fixture: “Edusport have been picking up some great results so we knew that it would be a hard game but we were very solid at the back and created some good chances.

“It was certainly a fantastic strike from Cargs which won the game and getting another shut-out away from home made it a good day.”

Coldstream 0,

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 3.

A GREAT result for the Haws which keeps them in touch with leaders Penicuik in East of Scotland League Conference A.

After the defeat last week by Musselburgh Hill of Beath needed to win this one and they opened the game well and had a couple of chances early on.

Coldstream defended solidly in this phase but in 25 minutes there was nothing they could do to stop the Haws machine.

Lee Reid’s pass was collected by Joe Kirby and he cleverly beat the ‘keeper.

However, Coldstream fought back and Stuart Hall had to make two good saves to keep his team in front.

His work inspired his team mates to grab a second goal before the break. Daniel Watt’s pass freed Calum Adamson and his cross was perfect for Watt to fire in number two.

The second period saw Haws start well and the Coldstream ‘keeper made a couple of great saves but on the hour the visitors stretched the lead.

Greg Smith was hauled down in the home side’s box and Reid converted to put the game out of sight.

There were other chances for Haws but Coldstream were not yet finished and struck the bar late on.

The win puts Haws on 27 points from 10 games, six behind Penicuik with a game in hand but Musselburgh have drawn level with them so all to play for.

Hill of Beath manager Kevin Fotheringham was pleased with the performance: “We were much sharper than last week and created a lot of good chances.

“We defended well too so overall I have to be pleased with the day.”

Tranent 2,

Dundonald Bluebell 2.

THIS was always going to be a tough EoS League Conference B test for the ‘Bell and in the early stages they were in big trouble.

The home side have invested strongly in their playing resources and started the game on the attack.

The ‘Bell were struggling to create many good chances and Tranent grabbed the lead in only six minutes when a corner was not dealt with properly and the ball was knocked in from close range.

The travelling fans were concerned and this increased in 21 minutes when the hosts added another to their lead. The ball was played across the face of the ‘Bell goal and Aiden Hendry slid in to intercept and got to it, but then could not stop on the wet surface and the ball was rolled in.

Dundonald gradually got a grip of the game and Ross Drummond hit the bar with a fierce shot and they pulled one back nine minutes from the break through a good finish from Lewis McKenzie who deflected a Scott Durie shot into the net.

This brought the ‘Bell right back in to the picture and in the second period Tranent faded from the scene for a spell.

However, the home side came back into and James Lennox made a couple of good saves but in 75 minutes McKenzie latched on to a good through pass and fired a left foot shot into the net.

'Bell could have grabbed the winner late on with Craig Wedderburn’s header coming back off the bar and then Calum Smith appeared to be upended in the Tranent box only for the referee to wave play on, but the point keeps them in second top spot.

Manager Jason Dair was much happier with what he saw at Tranent: “It was a performance full of fight and determination and the comeback after going two down was excellent.

“It was a good game for the neutral with plenty of good football and chances and it was a much better show from us.

“We have a free weekend this Saturday and I will be looking around the scene to see if I can strengthen the squad.”

Bonnyrigg Rose 2,

Crossgates Primrose 1.

A FINE performance from the Primrose the against EoS League Conference B leaders at New Dundas Park.

Crossgates made a fantastic start to the match and took the lead in nine minutes through a fierce finish from Scott Lawrie.

This gave the visitors confidence and they created a couple of half chances but in 25 minutes Bonnyrigg got level when Wilson held off two challenges before firing past Henderson.

This gave the Rose a lot of momentum and they started to pose problems for Crossgates and Henderson made two brilliant saves to keep his team level.

However, five minutes from the break the home side took the lead when McGachie held off a challenge and then fired the ball past Henderson.

The second period saw Crossgates continue to pose the home side more than a few problems and a couple of good saves from the home ‘keeper kept them out.

Henderson continued to perform well for Crossgates and his work ensured the game remained on a knife edge right to the final whistle.

Crossagates can take a lot of pride from this show against the best team in the division.

Lochgelly Albert 0,

Bathgate Thistle 5.

THIS South Division game against second top Bathgate was always going to be a very difficult test for the Berts.

Indeed, Thistle started positively and Lochgelly had to defend well but they went behind to their Achilles heel, defending at corners.

There was no one picking up Taylor only six yards out and his header flew into the net.

The Berts had a couple of chances as they tried to get back into the game with Ricky Cooper prominent but they fell further behind to a spectacular bicycle kick goal from Bathgate’s Feeney.

Lochgelly kept trying to play football but a third goal before the break from an 18 yard McKee daisy cutter gave them too much to do.

It was something of damage limitation in the second period for the Berts and they defended reasonably well .

Hamish Munro twice came close for the home side in this phase of the game but a goal would not come their way.

And another McKee goal put the visitors four up and they continued to look dangerous going forward and Feeney made it 5-0 late on.

So the Berts stay at the foot of the South Division table but they battled away throughout although Michael Perrie picked up a bad knock.

Manager Andy Healy was a unhappy with the overall performance: “We were against a decent side but overall it was a very disappointing show by us.”

This Saturday’s games

Saturday’s fixtures: Football Nation Qualifying cup third round, Kelty Hearts v Whitehill Welfare (3pm). League Cup Preliminary Round, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Edinburgh United (2.30). East of Scotland League Conference B, Crossgates Primrose v Dunipace (2pm).

South Division, Lochgelly Albert v Kirkcaldy YM (1.30). Thorntons Property East League Cup, Lochore Welfare v Livingston United (1.30).