Nine men Kelty knocked off top

But while the Hearts were going down at New Central Park, Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell pulled off fine East of Scotland League victories.

But there were two postponements due to the wet weather with neither Crossgates Primrose or Lochore Welfare seeing action.

At least the Primrose’s game with Tranent was called off early after Humbug Park suffered badly from the heavy rain of the end of the week.

However, Lochore’s players were, and those of opponents Kirkcaldy YM, were warming up for their Thorntons Property East League tie at Central Park, when the referee decided an area of the pitch was too soft.

Said Lochore boss James Adam: “The pitch had taken a battering from the weather but it seemed playable and both teams were ready to go when the ref called myself and the YM manager to discuss his concerns about parts of the surface.

“While the areas he was talking about were softish we have played in worse conditions and that is now three postponements on the trot.”

Kelty Hearts 0,

BSC Glasgow 3.

THREE second-half goals saw Kelty lose their spot at the top of the Lowland League.

Third top BSC Glasgow were clearly going to make life very difficult for the home side but in the first period Kelty had openings although they ended the game with nine men.

Early in the game a Stephen Husband corner was met by Ciaran Chalmers but his effort was blocked by the BSC defence then for a spell the visitors had three successive free-kicks on the edge of the Kelty box and from one of them Scott Christie had to make a good save.

Just after the half hour the hosts were reduced to ten men when Chalmers was red carded after a hefty challenge and the short handed Maroons held out to the break.

BSC started the second period looking to use their extra man and they got themselves in front in 53 minutes with a decent finish.

Three minutes later the Glasgow team got a second as the hosts struggled to get themselves back into the game.

Kelty were in real trouble and the third on the hour virtually finished the game as a contest.

Hearts never gave up but chances were few and there was no real way back for them.

Things got worse for them 13 minutes from time when Husband also picked up a red for a tough challenge but the nine men did not conceded any more.

With East Kilbride winning they are now two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2,

Penicuik Athletic 1.

A BATTLING performance from the Haws saw them hand East of Scotland League Conference A leaders, Penicuik, their first league defeat of the season.

Hill of Beath were without several regulars through injury but they started the game positively and young Joe Kirby was a real concern for Athletic.

His trickery posed their defenders problems and in 25 minutes Kirby beat two defenders and cleverly slipped the ball past the ‘keeper.

Soon after the forward again got the ball and beat four defenders but this time the Athletic last line pulled off a brilliant save.

A goal up at the break Haws looked to get a second, but they had to make two changes with Calum Adamson feeling ill and Kevin Connors suffering a hamstring problem, and Penicuik came back strongly and levelled the game.

Haws changed their shape going slightly more defensive and it limited the chances Penicuik were creating and with five minutes to go the home side got the winner.

Nineteen year-old Lewis Bain took Daniel Watt’s pass and neatly slipped the ball past the ‘keeper.

Athletic tried to come back at Haws but they defended solidly to see the game out.

The result puts Haws three points behind Penicuik with a game in hand so they are very much in the mix for the title.

Hill of Beath manager Kevin Fotheringham was delighted with the performance by his side: “Penicuik are a very good side and perhaps we rode our luck at times, but our defending throughout was first class.

“Like in a number of games this season we have had to make changes through injuries but the lads who have come in have never let the side down and it was the same against Penicuik. A very good performance and result “

Lothian Thistle 2,

Dundonald Bluebell 4.

AN excellent showing from the Bluebell who went to Saughton and came home with three East of Scotland League Conference B points.

The ‘Bell, with new signings from Kelty, loan striker Ross Mutch and midfielder Chris Gay in the team, hit the former East of Scotland League champions with four first-half goals and that settled the issue.

The first came early in the game when Aiden Hendry set up Mutch and he neatly slotted the ball home.

Thistle were struggling to contain Bluebell and a good move gave Lewis McKenzie an opening 12 yards out and he fired the ball past the ‘keeper.

Then Archie Campbell gathered the ball and cut inside and fired a shot high past the ‘keeper to leave ‘Bell in a very good position.

Just after the half hour the game was about over when Ross Drummond sent a low drive into the bottom corner of the net.

Lothian rallied though and five from the break they pulled one back.

The second period saw Thistle get another one back but Dundonald had several openings to increase their lead but had to settle for 4-2.

The result pushes Dundonald into second top spot, albeit seven points behind leaders Bonnyrigg Rose.

‘Bell manager, Jason Dair, was pleased with the performance and the way his new recruits settled in: “It was a fantastic start by the lads and really the game was won by the half hour mark.

“Chris and Ross did well and will be good players for us and the result keeps us tucked in behind Bonnyrigg and we just have to keep collecting wins to keep in contention for a top three finish.”

Lochgelly Albert 0,

Pumphertson 6.

THE South Division leaders Pumphy came to Gardiner’s Park in the Thorntons Property East League Cup and eventually wore down the Berts’ challenge.

Lochgelly were always going to find this a tough assignment but they opened the game reasonably well .

They created chances and Ricky Cooper, Michael Perrie and Stan Chitmere went close, but Pumpherston have spent a lot of money on putting their team together and they gradually started to dominate possession.

They grabbed the lead in the first period and it set the trend as the visitors created good openings and they scored twice more before the break.

Lochgelly were keeping battling and it took Pumphy into the second period before they got the fourth and later goals took the total to six, which was a little harsh on the Berts.

Berts boss Andy Healy said: “It was an encouraging start by the lads and really for the first 20 minutes we were the better side but Pumpherston are a good side and they took over.

“It was a hard game for us and it does not get any easier next week for we have second top of the division, Armadale, away from home in the league!”

Saturday’s fixtures, Lowland League, Civil Service Strollers v Kelty Hearts (2pm). East of Scotland League Conference B, Dundonald Bluebell v Tynecastle (2pm).

The SFA South Region Challenge Cup fourth round, Newtongrange Star v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (2.30pm).

South Division, Lochore Welfare v Pumpherston, Armadale Thistle v Lochgelly Albert (1.30pm).