Hearts win again as Smith quits Rosyth

THOMAS COURTS is hopeful that the Kelty community will turn out in force and roar his side to the Junior Cup quarter-finals this weekend.

The Kelty Hearts boss says he is "counting down the days" to Saturday when his team will welcome Kilwinning Rangers to New Central Park in the last 16 of the junior game's premier competition.

They warmed up for the clash in style on Saturday as they swept aside Camelon Juniors – despite Stephen Husband's controversial 16th minute dismissal – to remain unbeaten and stretch their lead at the Super League summit to 26 points.

Courts confirmed that the club will appeal the influential midfielder's red card, which was given for a reaction to a stamp by Mariners midfielder James Donaldson, who was also ordered off.

That didn't stop Kelty and they took the lead in the 37th minute when Conrad Courts' slide rule pass split the home defence and found debutant Jordyn Sheerin, who squared the ball for Scott Dalziel to tap into the net from six yards.

They doubled their advantage eight minutes after the break when Garry Leighton's long ball over the top was raced onto by Dalziel, who reached it ahead of the goalkeeper to poke home from around eight yards.

The points were sealed in the final minute when Conrad Courts, from the left edge of the penalty box, played the ball into Brian Ritchie, who took one touch to control before firing into the bottom right-hand corner.

On Husband's red card, Courts said: "I think we'll appeal it so he will be available to play this weekend. Even in real time I thought it was harsh; I was pretty close to it and he only reacted to what was a pretty harsh stamp. It was the only real negative on a very professional day where we handled our opponents and the pitch well. It was a positive performance and I shuffled the pack a little bit; that wasn't with any disrespect to Camelon, I just felt it was the right time to freshen things up. We had a couple carrying knocks and knew we had players waiting in the wings desperate to play so I wasn't expecting a drop in performance.

"We were pretty comfortable in the end and took the upper hand once we got the first goal. It galvanised us after Stephen Husband was sent off and I was delighted that Scott Dalziel got a couple of goals before we miss him for a couple of months when he goes for his operation. He's been having problems in his pelvis area and that's the main reason why I was trying to push the Jordyn Sheerin deal through."

All eyes now turn to Kilwinning's visit on Saturday, which will evoke memories of Kelty's first final appearance in 1999, which they lost 1-0 to the Buffs.

Hearts will be favourites this time and Courts continued: "We got to the last 16 last year but went out with a whimper so not only do we want to go one better than that, we want to show that we're challengers in this cup. There's a long-standing cup tradition between ourselves and Kilwinning so we'll welcome them but are looking to dispatch them on the day.

"Our home form has been first class and I'm hoping we'll get some real local backing. We want to maintain the momentum and belief that it could be our year and I'm hoping we can get a crowd close to four figures again. We have a strong belief that, if everything falls into place, we can reach the final.

"We feel ready, confident and I'm excited."

Entry is £6 for adults and £3 for concessions and Courts expects to have virtually a full-strength squad to choose from.

Craigroyston 0 Rosyth 1

ROSYTH co-manager Kevin Smith has quit the club because of work commitments.

The former Recs player took over alongside fellow coach Barry Cockburn in July after previous boss Lee Richardson left to join Dundonald Bluebell but he too has now left the club.

Smith revealed he made his decision after last month's 1-1 draw at Crossgates Primrose and told Press Sport: "I've had to give Rosyth up because of my work. I hurt my knee playing football last year; I'm a prison officer and I've a new role so it's not as easy for me to be available. I would be back for a week then away for a week and I thought I would try and get through Christmas and then make the right decision. I felt after the Crossgates game would be the right time.

"Barry and the rest of the committee wanted me to stay but they knew in their heart of hearts I couldn't be there one week but not the next. It's disappointing but I have to put my work first and it's not fair to give an opinion when I'm not there.

"Barry is a great guy; he wants what's best for Rosyth and has a sole vision for the club now."

Under Cockburn's stewardship, Rosyth bounced back from their previous outing – a 4-1 defeat to Dunbar United – with a well-earned victory at fellow mid-table side Craigroyston.

In the only South Division match to beat the weather, Rosyth started well and the hosts had goalkeeper Paul Tansey to thank for ensuring they were level at the interval as he twice denied Ryan O'Connor.

The visitors continued to dominate after the break with Tansey saving well from both Michael MacMillan and Gregg Page but their resistance was finally broken on the hour mark when golden oldie Mark McCulloch headed home unmarked from a corner.

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.15pm): ETHX Scottish Junior Cup, fifth round – Kelty Hearts v Kilwinning Rangers. McBookie.com South Division – Blackburn United v Rosyth, Crossgates Primrose v West Calder United, Kirkcaldy YM v Oakley United.