Kelty Hearts - 7
Ormiston - 0
East of Scotland League
New Central Park, Kelty
Kelty's high scoring start to the season continued as they smashed 7 past Ormiston, bringing their league total to 23 in just three matches. and keeping up their perfect start to life in the East of Scotland League.
There was a different look to the home side as manager Thomas Courts experimented with formation and line up. Out were suspended Scott Taylor MacKenzie and Murray Carstairs, replaced by Conrad Courts in a back three and Ian Nimmo in a 5-man midfield.
Kelty got off the mark quickly, and Scott Dalziel opened the scoring after only 5 minutes, with a crisp finish from the edge of the box. The big striker has enjoyed a fine start to the season, and that was his sixth goal in all competitions. It should have been enough to settle the Fifers, but in truth they struggled to build on such a good start. Their slick passing game was missing, and instead they were relying on long balls into the two front men, which gave the visiting defence some anxious moments, but failed to produce an end result. Steven Husband was doing his best to try and make things happen in the middle of the park, and Ross Philp was pushing forward, but the final ball was always just missing.
It took until the last minute of the half for Hearts to double their lead, when Sean O'Neil rose highest at the back post to head home Courts cross, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break.
The manager's half-time team talk must have worked wonders, because Kelty came flying out of the blocks in the second half and a quick-fire double sunk the visitors within 5 minutes of kick-off. First Husband made it 3-0 with a cool left-foot finish from a tight angle, and Dalziel grabbed number 4 a couple of minutes later to give the home side a comfortable lead.
Garry Leighton replaced Kenny Adamson in defence, and Stuart Cargill came on for Nimmo before the hour. Suddenly Kelty had found their mojo, and Husband was starting to run the show, getting number five, and setting up Douglas to make it six. Dalziel nearly got his hat-trick, but the keeper parried his effort and the rebound fell to Cargill, who tucked it away for number seven.
It was a devastating 15 minute spell for Kelty, and a sparkling performance from Husband, leaving the visitors stunned. With the points in the bag, Courts withdrew Douglas, and welcomed back Brian Ritchie, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury since the opening day of the season. The big striker looked sharp, and will have been glad to get a good half hour under his belt as he aims to get his starting spot back.
In terms of quality, it wasn't exactly a vintage Kelty performance, but the goals tally speaks for itself and the points were never in any real doubt.
Next up for Kelty is a break from league business, with a trip to Selkirk in the SOS Challenge Cup, which should be a stiffer test against Lowland League opponents.
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