Published: Thursday, 18th October, 2007 08:00
‘Improved’ Hearts get back on cup final trail
By Sports desk
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KELTY boss Stevie Leighton reckons his team is now even better than the one that marched all the way to the Scottish Junior Cup final last season.
Hearts have been drawn away to play lowly Stoneyburn in the draw for the second round while Oakley travel to Edinburgh City and Rosyth host Aberdeen East End.
The ties, to take place on 3rd November, will also see Steelend host big guns Lochee United and Crossgates travelling to Whitburn.
After the draw, Leighton said, “They’ve had a right bad start, I think they’ve lost six out of six, so we’ve a decent chance to go through but you can’t take anything for granted.”
Kelty are in fourth spot after a bright start to the East Region Super League and the boss said, “Normally, the aim would be to stabilise but the way we’ve started we should be up in the top four.
“I honestly think we’re a better side than last season as we’ve signed guys who have experience of the Super League and they’re doing really well.”
Kelty were denied an away victory at Carnoustie after Iain Mauchlan’s strike was cancelled out in the last minute on Saturday.
“Their manager was shouting and bawling for the ref to blow once they’d equalised, rather than go for the win, so they were obviously delighted to get a point,” Leighton said.
“It felt like a defeat but it just shows how far we’ve come and we’re still learning.”
Oakley manager Willie Newbigging received the effort he demanded from his players but mistakes cost them in a 5-1 home defeat to Glenrothes.
Oakley’s goal came from Lee Cellantano and the boss said, “We created enough chances to win two games but we’re not taking them and we need to cut out the mistakes too.
“It was a lot better than the previous week but if you make mistakes, teams will punish you.”
On the draw for the Scottish, Newbigging reflected, “It’s another hard place to go to and they’ll fancy their chances but the right result would give us a lot of confidence.
“I’d take any sort of win just now as we’ve only won our first game and lost the rest but the boys at the club have great belief and two or three have fantastic ability.
“We’re due a wee bit of luck but Oakley always seem to deliver when we’re under pressure and we’re under pressure now!”
In the East Region Premier League, Rosyth also suffered a home defeat, going down 2-1 to Musselburgh, with Craig Morrison getting Recs only goal.
Steelend lost 3-0 at home to Ballingry in the Whyte and Mackay East Region Central Division while Crossgates won by the same scoreline at home to Scone Thistle.
Mark Pagliarulo scored twice and Kris Myles netted the other goal.
Saturday’s fixtures: Fife and Lothians Cup – Dalkeith Thistle v Kelty, Rosyth v Bathgate Thistle, West Calder v Oakley; Whyte and Mackay East Region Central Division – Crossgates v Steelend.
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Further Details
Pars rule out standing at East End Park