Exciting games produce plenty of goals

Meanwhile there were excellent wins from Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell and a good point for Lochgelly Albert.

Kelty Hearts 1,

Solihull Moors 1

(Moors win 4-2 on penalties).

KELTY Hearts took on a team who have been up their challenging for the top places in the English League structure’s fifth tier in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup third round, at New Central Park, and put on a brave show.

The division, which includes the likes of Hartlepool United and Wrexham, is largely full-time so Hearts knew they would have a tough task.

But in front of a good crowd they led for much of the game and opened well with Cammy Russell a constant threat to Solihull and in 19 minutes he fired a shot just wide.

Ben Mackenzie had to make a couple of good saves as the Moors threatened but in 37 minutes Kelty took the lead.

A cross into the Moors’ box was met by Russell and his header flew wide of the ‘keeper.

Ross Philp also dragged a shot just off target and at the break they were worth their lead.

Nathan Austin went close twice early in the second period but Moors also had a couple of openings although Kelty defended well.

With 13 minutes left a good pass set up the chance and it was well tucked away.

However, Kelty were not finished and Russell came close to grabbing the winner.

It was on to penalties and the Moors held their nerve to make round four, but Kelty can feel proud of the way they tackled the tie.

Crossgates Primrose 1,

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 4.

THE Haws emerged with the bragging rights from this local East of Scotland Premier League derby, but Crossgates did not disgrace themselves.

The first period was very even with the Hill of Beath having the better of possession but Primrose had chances.

In the 25th minute the visitors went ahead when home ‘keeper Henderson could not hold on to a ball played into the Crossgates box and Jake Mitchell knocked it into the net from close in.

Primrose produced a couple of half chances but could not get level and four minutes into the second period they were two down.

A Rory Harrower header set up Daniel Watt who finished well and then Lewis Elder produced a fine lob from all of 30 yards to put the visitors in the driving seat.

However, the Crossgates men, in front of a 300 crowd, came back and a nudge in the back by a Haws defender allowed Scott Lawrie to pull one back from the penalty spot.

But the visiting defence were in form and kept the hosts out and with seconds left Lee Reid sent Calum Adamson clean through and he made the final score 4-1.

The result leaves Haws in third spot while Crossgates are sitting in a comfortable 10th spot.

Hill of Beath boss, Kevin Fotheringham, was delighted with the performance of his men: “This was a really tough game but the lads handled the challenge well.

“We defended excellently and worked really hard throughout the 90 minutes and took our goals well.

“It has been a good run but there is a lot more hard graft needed in the coming weeks if we are to achieve the results we want in the league and William Hill Scottish Cup”.

Dundonald Bluebell 4,

Sauchie 3.

AN important win for the ‘Bell against the stuffy Wee County side.

Former record Kelty Hearts scorer, Stuart Cargill, opened his account for the Moorsiders inside a minute but it was hard going for the home side.

Sauchie kept going throughout the 90 minutes and the 'Bell had to grab the winner in time added on.

Dundonald took the lead in just 52 seconds when Cargill latched on to a Calum Smith knock down and fired the ball into the net.

However, within a few minutes Sauchie hit back to level and it took 'Bell until the 41st minute to regain the lead when Chris Kay fired a free-kick into the net.

Dundonald started the second-half well and from an Aiden Hendry cross Cargill got in first to make it 3-1.

However, some slack defending saw them concede a second goal and this gave the visitors the incentive to attack and and five minutes from time Dan Nimmo put the ball into his own net in trying to clear.

The hosts were up against it now but three minutes into time added on Mikey Ness went on a nice run and his flighted cross was headed into the net by Smith to earn the win for the Moorsiders who are on seven points from four games.

Manager Lee Dair felt it was a highly entertaining game although a tough 90 minutes to sit through: "A great game for the fans but not a good one for the managers.

"It was great to see Stuart Cargill getting on the scoresheet and we created some good chances but we did make some bad errors defensively through which Sauchie punished us.

"However, we kept going and it was great to see Calum Smith head in that winner with almost the last touch of the game."

Lochore Welfare 0,

Kennoway Star Hearts 4.

A VERY disappointing Super League result for the Welfare who stay bottom of the table.

Kennoway had won only one game in the league before the kick-off so a win for Lochore would have reduced the gap on Star to just one point.

However, they made an awful start to the game and found themselves two down in just 20 minutes.

After a quiet start Kennoway took the lead when Kieryan Hicks saw his pass intercepted and the Star Hearts forward ran in to score the opener.

Then shortly after some more poor defending saw a second goal for the visitors and there were few openings for the home side.

The second period started better for the Welfare and Joe Dawson saw his 20 yarder go inches wide but Star Hearts struck to bring their tally to three.

A fourth in time added on made it another difficult day for Lochore and late on Dawson received a red card for his second yellow.

Manager James Adam said: “Our defending in the early stages was not good and the two goals conceded before the break were totally avoidable.

“It gave Kennoway confidence and left us really chasing the game.

“We have remain focussed on trying to stop these costly errors and get our first league win on the board.”

Lochgelly Albert 1,

Linlithgow Rose JFC 1.

A USEFUL South Division point for the Berts but it should have been all three.

Although Lochgelly were short of seven regulars for holiday, work and injury reasons the Gardiner's Parkers started well and James Gunn's 18 yard volley was tipped over by the Rose 'keeper in only two minutes, then Alan Falconer's header glanced off a Lithgae post and fell into the 'keeper's hands!

The opener came for the home side in 30 minutes when Declan Boyle and Ryan Innes combined to fund Gunn and his cut-back was perfect for Ryan Hughes to shoot home from 14 yards.

Linlithgow had a couple of raids which were mopped up by the home rearguard and before the break Gunn headed just over, and new signing from St Andrews United Stephen Stark, headed inches wide.

The Berts continued to ask question of the visitors in the second period and Gunn got past two defenders in 55 minutes and the Lithgae 'keeper defied his fierce shot but in 70 minutes the visitors levelled.

A long throw bounced off an Albert defender and fell kindly for an attacker who hit the ball into the net.

Both sides searched for the winner but the defences held firm although in the closing seconds Hughes hit the side net from close in.

The result meant that Lochgelly made it three games unbeaten and manager Andy Healy said: "Linlithgow are a decent side but even several players short we managed to put them under a lot of pressure and could have, and probably should have, picked up all three points.

"I wondered how the defence would handle not having experienced Ross Gallagher playing but they adapted well and our work at the back throughout the game was good."

Saturday’s fixtures: Lowland League, Vale of Leithen v Kelty Hearts (3pm). South Challenge Cup second round, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Whitehill Welfare (2.30pm), Penicuik Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell (2.30), Caledonia Braves v Crossgates Primrose (2.30).

V Tech SMT Fife and Lothians Cup, Linlithgow Rose JFC v Lochore Welfare (2.30). South Division, Lochgelly Albert v Kirkcaldy and Dysart (2.30).