Burntisland Shipyard - 0
Kelty Hearts - 4
East of Scotland League
Recreation Park, Burntisland
Kelty's perfect start in the EoS League continued with victory over local rivals Burntisland to make it five wins out five in their debut season as a senior side. But they were made to earn their victory in the derby match under the Fife sunshine.
The first half hour was easily forgettable, with both sides failing to get any real rhythm going. The narrow pitch, and a well drilled home defence made life difficult for visitors in the early stages, with a number of tight off-side decisions frustrating the Kelty front men. The visiting fans made their feelings known to the linesman, but in fairness, he got most of the decisions spot on. On the few occasions Kelty did beat the off-side trap, their finishing was letting them down with Dalziel, McCabe and Husband all guilty of squandering decent chances.
Kelty began to look more comfortable as the half wore on, and Malpas had to be alert in the Shippy goal. The keeper first pulled out a finger-tip save when Douglas got his head to a Courts free-kick, then had to hold onto a low shot from Dalziel to keep it nil-nil at half-time.
Hearts looked more purposeful in the second half, and broke the deadlock within 6 minutes of the restart. Courts & Mackenzie broke up play in midfield, and Carstairs knocked it long for Douglas. The keeper raced from his line to block the shot, but his save rebounded to the quick thinking Dalziel, who hooked a left foot volley into the empty net.
Shipyard's task became even more difficult a few minutes later, when Glancy was shown a second yellow, leaving the hosts a goal down and a man down. Kelty soon made the extra man count, when Dalziel's cross from the right found McCabe on the edge of the box, who turned quickly and fired his shot in via the post to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
Kelty had the chance to make it 3 from the penalty spot, after Dalziel was brought down in the box. He picked himself up to take the spot-kick himself, but his short run-up couldn't generate any real power, and the keeper pulled out a fine save, diving low to his left.
Substitute Sheerin came on for Douglas, and was into the action immediately. He first set up new signing Elliot Ford, with an inch perfect cross-field pass for the right-back to run onto and clip in off the post to score his first goal for his new club. Sheerin then got his second assist of the day, unselfishly squaring for fellow sub Cargill, who side-stepped the defender and slammed home from 12 yards out to complete the scoring.
A comfortable enough victory in the end, and manager Thomas Courts should be pleased with the patience his side showed in breaking down a stubborn Burntisland defence. Next up for Kelty is a third consecutive away league game, with the trip to Eyemouth who will be looking to make amends for their 11-1 drubbing on the opening day of the season.
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