IMPRESSIVE wins for Kelty Hearts, Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Lochore Welfare were the main talking points from Saturday’s football card.

Crossgates Primrose also got a useful point but there were disappointing results for Dundonald Bluebell and Lochgelly Albert.

Kelty Hearts 7,

Edinburgh University 1.

HEARTS had to recover from a very shaky start but that they did and ended up winning easily, in this Lowland League game, to stay top of the table.

Uni took the lead in only eight minutes, when the home defence was caught out and Ben Mackenzie was given no chance from close in.

Hearts hit back in 12 minutes when the ball fell for Dylan Easton who fired the ball into the net and then Nathan Austin came into the picture after Easton gave Kelty a half-time lead.

In 52 minutes Austin powered a header past the ‘keeper to extend the advantage then in 67 minutes the striker finished a fine home move by scoring from close in.

As the Students started to wilt Cammy Russell robbed a visiting defender in 72 minutes to make it 5-1.

Four minutes later Austin completed his hat-trick by converting at the far post but the Uni collapse was not yet complete and a foul in the visitors’ box saw Scott Linton complete the scoring from the spot.

The result put Hearts back top of the table after Bonnyrigg had beaten Spartans on Friday night to go in front.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 6,

Dundonald Bluebell 2.

THIS was the Lewis Elder show as the Haws kept their good run going with a convincing derby win (see Ted Milton's pictures from Keirs Park).

The striker, who was playing in a deeper role in this game, eluded the Dundonald defence five times during the game and his haul could be a record for the club.

However, for the ‘Bell they paid the penalty for several defensive lapses.

The home side took the lead in only two minutes when a corner was cleared to the edge of the ‘Bell box and Elder lashed the ball home.

Seven minutes later Calum Adamson was fouled in the ‘Bell box and Elder converted the penalty but the visitors came back into the picture when Stuart Cargill managed to break into the Haws’ box and fired a low shot into the net.

But two minutes later Elder completed his treble with a goal after a good run and cross from Russell Grierson.

Dundonald came out for the second period looking to get back into the game and they got a second early in the half when Calum Smith headed home at the back post, then Matty Gay was clean through one-on-one but failed to score and Mikey Ness was in the same sort of situation, but also did not complete the job.

Bluebell were now looking for a leveller and they looked capable of getting it only for Adamson to work a one-two with Elder and he finished the chance superbly.

However, a foul in the Haws box saw ‘Bell awarded a penalty but Scott Durie fired the spot-kick over the bar.

Joe Kirby then went on a fine run for Hill of Beath and his pass provided another chance for Elder and he finished well.

Bluebell were still looking dangerous going forward but they were caught out by Adamson whose pass opened up a chance for Daniel Watt who made it 6-2 with a shot which hit the underside of the bar and crossed the line.

The result puts Haws third top of the East of Scotland Premier League seven points behind leaders Boness United, who come to Keirs Park this Saturday, with two games in hand.

Unsurprisingly, Hill of Beath boss John Mitchell was very pleased with the way his team played: “It was a highly competitive game which saw loads of chances created by the teams.

“We had to defend well to win the game and at the end of the day that was probably the most important aspect of the game.

“It was also a fantastic personal show from Lewis Elder who finished superbly well and it may be a record for a Haws player. It sets up a really important game with Boness this coming Saturday.”

Disappointed ‘Bell boss Lee Dair said: “We paid a heavy penalty for making basic errors in defence.

“We had a really good spell just after half-time, scored and then had a couple of good opportunities but couldn’t convert. Very disappointing but we have to improve when we take on Jeanfield Swifts this weekend.”

Sauchie 1,

Crossgates Primrose 1.

A VERY useful East of Scotland Premier League point for the Primrose.

Sauchie have been improving greatly after a very poor start to the season, and Crossgates knew they would have to defend soundly to get anything from the visit to the Wee County.

The first period saw the teams probe for openings and Scott Lawrie and Archie Campbell both threatened for the visitors but Sauchie posed a few problems.

However, ‘keeper Henderson did not have to produce any heroics and at the break the scoreline was still blank.

The second period saw Crossgates make some good chances and in 64 minutes they took the lead when Lawrie fired a superb free-kick into the net.

However, eight minutes later the equaliser came for Sauchie but later in the game there were opportunities for the away side to force a win but none were taken.

The result takes Crossgates onto 14 points in ninth position and in a good position to look to move upward.

Lochore Welfare 2,

Bathgate Thistle 1.

AFTER remaining winless in the South Super League since the outset of the campaign, and being out of action through adverse weather for six weeks, this was a very important game for Welfare with mid table Bathgate.

Thistle started the game well and forced a few half chances before taking the lead in 20 minutes.

But there were no Lochore heads going down and they started to pose problems for the visitors and the equaliser came from a fine Scott Small run which provided the chance for Greg Renton who finished superbly.

There were other chances for Welfare but they started the second-half well and kept asking questions of Bathgate and in 65 minutes they took the lead.

Jamie McNeish produced some great lead up work and Aaron Wood provide the perfect strike to give the home side the lead.

Joe Dawson was sent-off for a second yellow but Bathgate later had a man dismissed also.

The team closed ranks to defend the lead despite some desperate Thistle attacks, and there were some justified celebrations at time-up.

The result takes Lochore onto four points, nine behind eighth placed Kennoway with two games in hand.

The result was a real tonic for Welfare boss, James Adam, who said: “A really good performance from the lads and the win will lift confidence levels.”

Lochgelly Albert 2,

Rosyth Recreation 3.

THE Berts found themselves three down after half an hour in this South Division game but came back bravely and only just failed to get a draw.

Lochgelly started the game badly and went behind in 12 minutes as the home defence struggled and were hit by a second in the 20th minute.

The Berts were trying to play good football but Rosyth were dangerous going forward and grabbed a third in the 32nd minute.

However, the home side got back into the game and in 39 minutes they pulled one back when Declan Boyle fired home a fine goal after a corner.

Three minutes later it was 3-2 when Blair Clark netted a well placed shot.

The second period belonged to the Berts and Stephen Stark had the ball in the net but was given off-side before Pat Armour’s header was cleared off the line. Then Euan Robertson saw the Rosyth ‘keeper produce a fine save from his shot with half an hour left.

The real key moment came in 78 minutes when Stephen Stark’s shot was deflected wide by the hand of a Rosyth defender. The referee pointed to the spot but the Recs’ players protested and the whistler changed his decision to a corner.

Berts boss Andy Healy found the non-penalty decision bewildering: “I have never seen anything like that in all my years in football.

“The defender clearly handled but the ref changed his mind, he told me, for the ball coming off the the lad’s leg before it hit his hand. Very strange indeed.

“We had virtually the whole second-half but the first half hour was very poor. We certainly did not deserve to lose though for we dominated the last hour.”

This Saturday’s fixtures, East of Scotland Premier League, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Boness United (2.30), Dundonald Bluebell v Jeanfield Swifts (2.30), Crossgates Primrose v Dunbar United (2.30).

Thornton’s Property East Region Cup, Kennoway Star Hearts v Lochore Welfare (1.45), Lochgelly Albert v Armadale Thistle (1.45). Kelty have no game with schedule opponents Bonnyrigg in Scottish C|up action.