Kelty Hearts 4 Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1 New Central Park, Kelty
Kelty took another step towards the East Superleague crown with a vital win over their local rivals. With one league meeting and three cup ties between these sides so far this season, there was a familiar air to proceedings at kick-off. Kelty have taken the bragging rights in all four previous meetings, and it was de ja vu all over again for the Haws, as Tam Courts side put their neighbours to the sword again.
It could have been very different however, as the visitors threatened to upset Hearts plans after only 5 minutes. Haws were tougher in midfield, and the ball was fed to Adamson on the right, who drove into the box and squeezed a neat finish inside Marley's left hand post.
Their lead only lasted 4 minutes though, after Conrad Courts played a deep corner to the back post, which Ritchie headed back across goal, and Sean O'Neil rose to head home the equaliser. Within another ten minutes, the hosts took the lead through McCabe. Brian Ritchie caught out the Haws defence with a clever turn, and squared for Wilson who's shot was blocked. The rebound fell to McCabe, who side-stepped the keeper and slotted home from six yards.
From then on it was one-way traffic, with the home side threatning to run riot. A Wilson header hit the bar, before Courts tricky footwork set-up Ritchie to head home number three. They could even afoard the luxury of a missed penalty, when keeper Hall was judged to have fouled Ritchie. It looked like a harsh decision, but he made amends by saving Thomson's spot kick.
Things got even worse for the Haws when Aaron Hay was red-carded after half an hour for dissent, but by then the game was over as a contest. Immediately after the break, Husband made it 4-1, sliding home Ritchie's cross and it looked like it could be a cricket score. In fact despite having total control of the second half, the only negative for Kelty was that in a title race that could yet go to goal difference, they couldn't turn their dominance into more goals.
Kelty now only need four points from their last two games to be certain of clinching the Superleague, but their final game of the season is at home Bonnyrigg Rose, who are the only team with any hope of catching them. Before that, they have to navigate a trip to Linlithgow.
The day ended on a sour note for Hill of Beath, who parted company with manager Bobby Wilson shortly after the final whistle following a miserable season which will see them finish in the bottom half of the table.