Dunfermline Press | Sport | Kelty boss blasts ref after defeat

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Thursday, 1st November, 2007 09:15

Kelty boss blasts ref after defeat

By Simon Harris

KELTY HEARTS boss Stevie Leighton was angry with the man in the middle after the Jambos suffered a 1-0 Super League defeat at home to Camelon on Saturday.

“The referee got the big decisions wrong,” Leighton blasted.

“The first half I thought that if we had wanted it a little bit more it was there for us. We were well in control of the game without a doubt.

“Then came the big decision in the second half. They got a penalty after an hour for blatant cheating from one of their players. Brian Vaughan actually stepped back from their player but the ref saw it from a bad angle. Adam Moffat called one of their players a cheat and the ref sent Adam off.

“We then had two penalty claims turned down after it, one of which was stonewaller.

“On a positive note what I will say is that’s seven Super League games and we’ve got 10 points. We drew with Carnoustie, who we should have beaten and the three games we lost were 2-0, 2-1 and 1-0 so we are not out of our depth in any way.

“The league’s tightening up a wee bit but we’re still sitting fourth and when the big decisions are not going for you, you just have to work a bit harder to make things happen for you.”

Memories of the Jambos’ thrilling run to the Scottish Cup final at East End Park should be sparked by Kelty’s return to cup action this weekend.

They begin their campaign with a trip to Stoneyburn and Leighton said, “There’s no better incentive for our guys after knowing what it’s like to get to showpiece last year. The buzz should be going round the village again as this is the start again but Stoneyburn will be looking at us as a major scalp.”

Leighton will welcome back experienced trio Ian Mauchlen, Shaun Graham and Stefan Winiarski, who all missed the Camelon game, for the tie.

All the drama in Oakley’s home game with title contenders Tayport came at the death.

The West Fife strugglers looked to have clinched a dramatic last-minute winner with Lee Celentano’s fourth goal in five games, only for Tayport to hit back with the equaliser three minutes into stoppage time.

Oakley boss Willie Newbigging was philosophical, however, saying, “It was disappointing to say the least but if someone had given me a point before the game I would have taken it.

“It was a close game and I think a draw was fair. To come up against who, for me, will be one of the title contenders and put in a good performance is all you can ask for. We competed very well and worked very hard and the boys came off gutted at the end so it’s a step in the right direction. Fingers crossed, it could be a turning point.”

The result leaves Oakley joint bottom of the Super League but the Scottish Cup will provide a welcome distraction this weekend with a trip to the capital to play Edinburgh United.

“It will be a tough game there’s no question about it,” Newbigging said. “They will see where we are sitting in the league and fancy their chances.”

Patrick Halpin has been put on the transfer list. Enquiries to Willie Newbigging on 07811 215975.

Rosyth came back from 4-1 to 4-3 down in their Premier League game at Dundee North End thanks to goals from Mike Stuart, Kevin Hall and Stewart Haddow but lost 5-3.

Crossgates’ six-game unbeaten run came to an end in the East Central League at Lochore. Primrose lost 2-1 after Mark Pagliarulo had given them the lead. Two Alan Kirkwood goals saw Steelend come from a goal behind to lead 2-1 at Jeanfield Swifts but they were made to pay for missing two gilt-edged chances as the home side came back to win 3-2.

Saturday’s fixtures: Citylink Scottish Junior Cup, second round – Edinburgh United v Oakley United, Rosyth Recreation v Aberdeen East End, Steelend Victoria v Lochee United, Stoneyburn v Kelty Hearts, Whitburn v Crossgates Primrose. (Kick-offs 2pm).

Bookmark this! What is social bookmarking?