Carnoustie Panmure 1 Kelty Hearts 5

THOMAS COURTS praised his team’s five-star show and has “absolute belief” his team can put themselves in pole position for the title.

Kelty Hearts hit five for the fourth time in the Super League this season, and for a second time against Carnoustie, as they bounced back from defeat at Dundonald to move 21 points clear at the top.

The Jambos have five games to play and maximum points would put them on 80 points, with third-placed Bonnyrigg Rose the only team who could catch them and stop them winning a second championship in three years.

The two teams still have to meet for a second time this campaign, one of 13 matches Rose have left, but Courts is confident his team can handle the weight of expectation as they close in on glory.

“With five games to go, there will be tense moments but I have absolute belief in the guys,” he said.

“It is a positive pressure and any anxiety comes from the players being desperate to do well. We are in the strongest position, we have points on the board.

“Bonnyrigg can go ahead, and they’re certainly capable, but it’s unfortunate for them that they’ve got so many games to play. We have to keep focusing on ourselves but, as the weeks go by, we’re making ourselves stronger.”

Kelty were certainly too strong for the Taysiders on Saturday and were ahead in the fourth minute thanks to Stuart Cargill’s well-taken finish from just inside the box.

Although Gordon Macdonald’s flashing header drew the Gowfers level before the half hour, Cargill thumped the visitors back in front with a quite sublime strike six minutes from half-time.

Stephen Husband was the creator, controlling the ball on his chest before a neat flick to Cargill, who took one touch before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards.

Just after half-time Brian Ritchie made it 3-1 with a terrific header from Murray Carstairs’ free-kick before Craig Thomson smashed home a sensational drive from distance to make it four.

Substitute Archie Campbell wrapped up the scoring with three minutes left by tapping home after Neil McCabe’s effort came back off the post.

Courts said: “I was particularly pleased for Stuart Cargill; those were his first goals since December and we knew that the size of the pitch would require legs. He gave us that in spades and a threat, but it was a shame that Craig Thomson outshone him; there were some goal of the season contenders in there!

“It’s nice to have a cup distraction this weekend (against Hill of Beath) after two big games at very tough away venues. I think our performances merited more than three points but we need to see Saturday as a fresh challenge.

“We want to get to the latter stages of cup competitions and I expect the lads to handle the occasion. If we do that, I’m confident we’ll win the game but we can’t take anything for granted.”

Pumpherston Juniors 4 Crossgates Primrose 3

A SEVEN-GOAL thriller ended in heartbreak for brave Primrose as they fell to cruel defeat at promotion-chasing Pumpherston.

Andy Brown’s team were five minutes from grabbing what would have been a notable point against the second-placed hosts but Ally McRitchie’s winner inflicted an unlucky fifth defeat on the road for Crossgates.

Having earned their first win in nine South Division games in their previous match at Kirkcaldy YM, the Humbug men were looking for another positive outcome but got off to the worst possible start when Barry Nicholson’s ninth minute strike put Pumpherston ahead, which was added to six minutes later by McRitchie.

Stephen Stark halved the deficit as Crossgates rallied and they hauled themselves back into it in the 68th minute when man of the match Stark grabbed another.

The game was turned completely on its head in the final quarter when Scott Devaney dramatically put the visitors in front, but the lead lasted three minutes as the hosts equalised.

With eight minutes left Crossgates skipper Darren Carroll was ordered off for a second yellow card, and McRitchie then found room in the box to smash home the winner.

Rosyth 0 Kirkcaldy YM 0

ROSYTH couldn’t find their scoring touch as a dogged Kirkcaldy YM held out for a scoreless draw on Saturday.

The game, played at Kelty’s New Central Park, was the second time that Barry Cockburn’s team have drawn with the bottom dogs this season, who collected just their third point on their travels.

The home team had the lion’s share of the ball and looked a threat in attack but couldn’t find the back of the net. Rosyth upped the tempo after the break but just couldn’t secure a fourth home win of the campaign.

Cockburn said: “It was one of those games but it certainly wasn’t for the lack of trying.

“We dominated possession second half but everything we threw at the Kirkcaldy goal was absorbed. They did hit us on a couple of counter attacks as we pressed for three points. We will take the point but we’re disappointed not to come away with three.”

West Calder United 2 Oakley United 0

OAKLEY UNITED boss Lee Richardson felt the luck was against his side as they fell to a fourth successive league defeat.
The Blairwood Park men conceded after five minutes and, despite having opportunities, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
The task was made even more difficult with 10 minutes left when on-loan Cowdenbeath youngster Lyle Kellichan was ordered off, and the hosts tied up the points with two minutes to go.
Richardson said: “I was disappointed with the result but not the performance; we played a lot of good football but we just need to get back our killer touch.
“In the first five minutes we did ok in attack but had a corner, which they cleared and the guy runs up the wing. The ball appears to be out but our centre half stopped, the boy skipped past him and crossed it for their boy to score. We should’ve played to the whistle.
“After that we played some good stuff. Kevin Goodwin and Kevin Gollan had good chances they should’ve scored but the second half was more even and there were a few chances for both teams. Derrick Murray had a great one at the back post that he mis-kicked, and then Lee Celentano was brought down for what was a stonewall penalty, but it wasn’t given.
“With 10 minutes to go, Lyle Kellichan put in a great tackle right in front of their dugout but their boy went down squealing and the reaction of their bench got him sent off. I put Ross Colquhoun on, our centre half who had his first game back (from injury), and told the boys to go long but they’ve scored with two minutes to go.
“I don’t think we did enough to win but we deserved a draw. It’s frustrating because we didn’t take our chances but we’re just not getting the rub of the green just now. 
“Hopefully that will change on Saturday.”

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): Fife and Lothians Cup third round - Kelty Hearts v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. McBookie.com South Division - Crossgates Primrose v Dunbar United, Oakley United v Kirkcaldy YM, Pumpherston v Rosyth.