Lochgelly Albert 1,

Kennoway Star Hearts 1.

HOW far the Berts have come since the turn of the year has been thoroughly underlined in the past two weeks.

This Consolation League Cup tie on Saturday saw Albert facing a Super League team without several important members of the squad, but after their win over Lochore Welfare last week manager Andy Healy was hoping that his players would compete well with the team who finished in the middle of the top division.

The game started with Star Hearts trying to put the Berts under pressure but they defended well and then Lochgelly began to carve out chances but their plans were hindered by serious injuries to a Trialist full-back and Jake Wood, who had earlier teamed up with Jordan McKenzie to put Joe Dawson in with a chance and he went close.

In 35 minutes the Berts took the lead when Euan Robertson’s shot hit a defender’s arm and the referee pointed to the spot and Dawson converted.

Ryan Kinness did not appear for the second period which meant all home subs had been used and young trialist Jamie Allan came on and posed KSH plenty of problems with some good passing.

The second period did see Kennoway come at Lochgelly but they defended well and at the other end Robertson’s 12 yarder went just wide as did efforts from Adam Haddow and Declan Boyle and McKenzie, and the longer the game went the more it looked like the Berts would record a famous win.

However, with 12 minutes left Kennoway levelled when a cross has headed back across the face of the Albert six yard box and the ball knocked in. Then with the last kick McKenzie found Haddow but he blasted over from only eight yards.

The Albert have so far seen four points accrued from three games and if they were to win at Lochore this weekend they could qualify for the knock-out stages. Kennoway have five points and the Welfare one.

Andy Healy was pleased with the performance of his team: “The first-half injuries upset our plans but the lads did create some good chances and worked hard at denying Kennoway space.

“It is an amazing group which is so very tight and it could go right to the wire, so we have to look to get something from our visit to the Welfare this Saturday.”

Saturday’s fixture, Consolation League Cup, Lochore Welfare v Lochgelly Albert (2.30pm). King Cup fourth round, Ormiston v Crossgates Primrose (2.30).