Kelty Hearts 5 Newtongrange Star 3

THOMAS COURTS feels there is still plenty for his team to work on despite securing a perfect 10 on Saturday.

Kelty’s stunning 100 per cent start to the Super League continued as Newtongrange Star were eventually overcome in a highly entertaining game at New Central Park.

The home side’s 10th win from 10 league games looked a formality after just 24 minutes as goals from Stephen Husband, Craig Thomson and Shaun Greig put them three goals to the good.

Jack Wilson pulled a goal back just before half-time but, within five minutes of the restart, Stuart Cargill had restored Hearts’ three-goal advantage.

Star fought back with goals from Wilson and Kyle Lander to reduce the deficit to one with just 12 minutes left before Cargill ended any Kelty nerves by bagging his second in the closing minutes.

Courts said: “Newtongrange are a decent side with a lot of good, technically gifted players and they showed on a good surface against a side who maybe gives them more room that they can play some good stuff.

“It’s not like us to concede so many chances, never mind three goals, but it is a big three points with Bonnyrigg and Bo’ness on cup duty. It feels good to have that bit of daylight from our rivals.”

Kelty are now eight points clear at the top but their Super League charge takes a back seat this weekend as they travel to Stoneyburn in the Fife and Lothians Cup.

They have been handed a home tie with Aberdeen University in the Junior Cup and Courts added: “Every manager is looking for a home tie and I’m sure if we play to our potential we have a good chance to go through.

“We will give Stoneyburn the respect they deserve but it is a chance to freshen things up a little bit.”

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup replay: Crossgates Primrose 1 Arbroath Vics 3

PRIMROSE’S hopes of a run in this season’s Junior Cup are over after they bowed out against Arbroath Vics on Saturday.

Crossgates led no less than three times – and with just two minutes to go – in the first game but the concession of a late equaliser in that 4-4 draw came back to haunt them as their Humbug hoodoo continued.

They have lost all three of their South Division games on home soil so far this season and they found themselves three down with 20 minutes left before Stephen Stark netted a late consolation.

Pumpherston Juniors 3 Oakley United 2

OAKLEY UNITED suffered last-gasp heartbreak despite what Lee Richardson described as their best performance of the season at Pumpherston.

The Blairwood Park outfit travelled to West Lothian on the back of an impressive win at Lochgelly Albert and despite falling behind to Jack McLaren’s 10th- minute goal, they fought back to lead thanks to Kevin Goodwin and Lee Celentano.

Richardson felt that his team were wrongly denied the opportunity to extend their advantage from the penalty spot before the hosts pulled level on the stroke of half-time thanks to a spot kick from Zander Murray.

Oakley pressed hard for a second-half winner but in the final minute they were undone by Murray as the home side snatched an undeserved three points.

Richardson said: “We played really well but we were gutted to lose a last-minute goal to get beat. We couldn’t kill them off and we had a stonewall penalty turned down before they scored from a penalty to make it 2-2.

“In the second half we were all over them and at the end, even they said that we got robbed. It was a good performance and is probably the best we’ve played, so to come away with nothing is disappointing.”

The Oakley boss felt his side were a “wee bit soft at the back” but has moved to strengthen his defence with the signing of Kirkcaldy YM centre half Tony Doubleday. They travel to face Super League Hill of Beath Hawthorn in the Fife and Lothians Cup this weekend and later this month face a trip to Ayrshire giants and three-time winners Irvine Meadow in the Scottish Junior Cup.

Richardson laughed: “Half the boys at training were asking who they are and where they’re from because they’re that young! It’s a tough game but one where they can just go and play so we’ll look forward to it.

“We’ve got a tough one this weekend at Hill of Beath. They’re a Super League club and nobody expects us to do anything. It’s a great pitch there so I hope they go out and do themselves justice.”

Kirkcaldy YM 1 Rosyth 1

ROSYTH co-manager Kevin Smith was disappointed with his side’s performance as they were held by Kirkcaldy YM.

The home side, without a win in this season’s South Division, are second-bottom of the table and Rosyth were hopeful of building on their impressive win over table-toppers Blackburn United last time out.

They started well when Mike McMillan headed them into the lead but Scott Small pulled the home side level before the interval.

Despite fashioning several opportunities, the visitors could not find the winner and a frustrated Smith said: “It was a game short on quality from both teams but we didn’t move the ball with enough purpose or get it forward quickly enough.

“We couldn’t break them down. When we did get in behind them, our crosses were poor, our shots were poor and my goalkeeper made a decent save that could’ve lost us the game. It was disappointing if I’m being honest.

“We were missing a few players and moved a couple of boys about. That didn’t work but it’s no excuse. We took the lead with a great header and thought we would kick on but they got a scrappy goal and there was no upping through the gears.

“Saturday will give us a chance to give boys who have missed the last couple of weeks, or who have been on the bench, some game time. We’re playing one of the better teams in the league so we have to be on it from the start.”

In the Junior Cup, Rosyth have been drawn away to Aberdeen-based Lewis United.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): The Conservatory Converters Fife and Lothians Cup – Arniston Rangers v Crossgates Primrose, Blackburn United v Rosyth, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Oakley United, Stoneyburn Juniors v Kelty Hearts.