Haws and Hearts bow out of last cup competitions

Crossgates Primrose also disappointed by failing to win their last league game and at the end of the day the only side who could feel happy was Lochgelly Albert.

The Spartans 1,

Kelty Hearts 1

(after extra-time Spartans win 3-2 on penalties).

HEARTS lost on penalties in this Lowland League Cup semi-final tie at Ainslie Park on Friday night but they had chances to win it.

The opening stages of the tie were a little dull with defences on top but in 12 minutes Stuart Cargill hit the bar with a header from an Elliott Ford cross.

Spartans forced a few corners but clear chances were limited for either side and at the break there were no goals.

Kelty started the second period promisingly and there were a few half chances for the visitors but at the other end Scott Christie had to make a good save to keep the scores level.

In the closing minutes both teams went for a goal but good defensive work kept the front lines out.

On to extra-time and Hearts grabbed the lead in the 101st minute when Chris Dodd dived dull length to head a Scott McBride cross into the net.

Spartans levelled the tie with a goal from a free-kick at the start of the second-half of extra-time and try as both sides might they could not fashion a goal.

On to penalities and Dodd saw Hearts’ first saved and Scott Dalziel saw his second for the visitors also saved, however, Christie came to the rescue to save Spartans’ second kick; then Scott McBride converted as did Stephen Husband but the hosts also netted twice so it was up to Errol Douglas to net to keep Hearts' alive but his shot was saved.

So the season is over for Hearts but it has been a good one for them finishing third in the Lowland League and manager Barry Ferguson has promised several new signings in the summer.

He said: “I would like to thank the fans for the tremendous support we have received this season.

“We are now looking ahead and we have a number of players on pre-contracts and we hope to be able to unveil these in the middle of May.”

Musselburgh Athletic 3,

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 0.

THE Haws had their season ended at Musselburgh in this League Cup first round tie.

Hill of Beath did well enough in the first period and Lewis Elder shot over from a good position and then the striker saw his fine effort brilliantly saved by the Burgh ‘keeper.

At the other end Stuart Hall made a fine save to deny Musselburgh but in the 35th minute Athletic took the lead when the visiting defence failed to deal with a corner and the ball was deposited into the net.

In the second period Haws faded out of the picture and struggled to create any chances and when Musselburgh scored a second with a header that was the tie virtually decided.

A third late on put the icing on the cake for the home side and ended the Haws’ challenge.

Haws boss Kevin Fotheringham felt that it was a game too many for his side: “It may have been a reaction to the disappointment of not winning the Conference A title last week but we looked leggy and just did not really get into the game.

“There was a couple of decent chances early on and had one of these gone in it might have made a difference but over the piece it was as poor as a performance we have seen all season.”

But he added: “It has been a good season and to go so close to winning the Conference A title was something which we can take a lot of positives from.

“We will be assessing what we need for next season’s East Premier League campaign and hopefully we can add two or three players to the squad.”

Crossgates Primrose 0,

Haddington Athletic 0.

PRIMROSE wanted to finish their highly successful East of Scotland League Conference B season on a high note, see Ted Milton's pictures from Humbug Park.

But Haddington were in no mood to give anything away and this turned into a real dour battle.

Athletic came with a plan to deny Crossgates space in midfield and it worked fairly well.

Adam Moffat and his colleagues found space hard to find but there were a few decent chances for the hosts.

Scott Lawrie twice went close for them but decent goalkeeping kept the scoreline blank at the break.

The second period saw more of the same and Haddington did manage to create a few half chances while Crossgates could have grabbed the key first goal with efforts from Aitken and McAteer not far away.

Crossgates kept pressing but could not get the breakthrough and Haddington left with a point.

The point earned by Primrose took their total to 41, from their 24 game,s and took them ahead of Sauchie on points although their superior goal difference had guaranteed them Premier League football next season before the match.

Lochgelly Albert 1,

Lochore Welfare 0.

A MORALE boosting win for the Berts in this Consolation Cup Section 6 game at Gardiner’s Park.

The game had a spectacular opening when Jake Wood fired a fierce 30 yard volley high into the Welfare net after a Euan Robertson cross was headed clear.

The home side took a real boost from this and they started to probe for another but Lochore, whose team showed a few changes as they took the chance to give some fringe players an opportunity, came back into it.

Adam Doig had a chance for the visitors but headed wide from a really good position and then he struck a defender on the line from only six yards.

However, a Ricky Cooper free-kick was just missed by Joe Dawson at the far post then a Cooper corner hit the Welfare bar.

The second period saw Lochore have a lot of the ball but the Berts defended solidly and there were not a lot of clear chances.

However, Welfare’s Ewan Sutherland got clean through but he gave Shaun Hunter a real sight of it and the home ‘keeper saved.

Then shortly after ‘Tuna’ came to the rescue for the Berts with a fine save from Sean Johnstone’s fine shot.

Lochore kept at it but could not get through and Berts’ sub Ryan Hughes twice got into good positions but could not fathom a second goal.

Berts boss Andy Healy was pleased with the way his team defended against the high scoring Lochore side: “The result throws the section wide open.

“The result was built on a good defensive display, with centre-backs Pat Armour and Craig McGuinness outstanding in marshalling things.

“To be honest it was the first clean sheet since I came into the job and it was really encouraging the way the team handled a team that is always dangerous.

“Our win has left the group wide open.”

Welfare manager, James Adam, was a little disappointed with his team not being able to break down the Albert defence: "We had plenty of the ball but did not create a lot of good chances.

“There were a couple of really decent openings and had one of them gone in it could have made a real difference but the Albert defended solidly.

“We now have to ensure that we are ready for our last league game against Harthill Royal in mid May.

“It could be that the top five in the South Division will be in the Super League but our aim is to make the top four and we will want to beat Harthill on May 18.

Saturday’s fixture: Consolation League Cup, Lochgelly Albert v Kennoway Star Hearts (2.30).