Linlithgow Rose 0 Kelty Hearts 2

KELTY HEARTS are just 90 minutes away from clinching the Super League title after victory at Linlithgow Rose on Saturday.

Thomas Courts’ side know that a win over nearest challengers Bonnyrigg Rose in the final game of the campaign will be enough to see them crowned champions for the second time in three years.

Rose have three games in hand – one of which was played last night (Wednesday) against Jeanfield Swifts – and maximum points will set up a final day shoot-out at New Central Park.

Any slip-up by the Midlothian chasers could hand the trophy to Kelty ahead of that game but the leaders kept their minds on the job and racked up a 13th league success on the road at Prestonfield.

Kelty took the lead five minutes into the second half when Neil McCabe powered home a header from Conrad Courts’ corner.

They doubled their advantage and clinched the game just five minutes later when Ritchie got a slight flick to a long ball and allowed Scott Dalziel to run on and send an expert first-time finish beyond Darren Hill and into the net.

Courts (right) was thrilled with the victory, which came on the back of last Wednesday’s East of Scotland Cup quarter-final loss to Bonnyrigg Rose on penalties, and he told Press Sport: “We knew that it was a massive week for the club and we picked a team that we felt would be competitive on Wednesday but give us one or two fresh options for Saturday. I have no complaints about how the week has gone; on Wednesday, the boys gave everything and it was two good teams going at it hammer and tongs, and unfortunately we were edged out by the first spot kick.

“There’s been nothing to show me that Linlithgow should be in the bottom four or five; they are still capable on their day of being tough to beat. We had to fight tooth and nail to get the victory.”

He continued: “Over the last few weeks, against Bo’ness, Hill of Beath and Linlithgow, we’ve not had it easy, and I think Bonnyrigg might have been looking at it thinking that we might drop points here or there. We keep answering those questions and I have to commend the players because it’s never a given to go there and win three points.

“We have a handsome points total and are in control of our own destiny. The safest mindset is that we have to go all guns blazing for victory to win the league; Bonnyrigg have three tough games and a semi-final that they’re in but they’re in there fighting and we respect that.

“There’s a sense of pragmatism in the camp. We know there are variables but we want to be rationally-minded and work towards playing Bonnyrigg. With the level of interest we saw on Saturday and the last time we won the Super League, I’m expecting Kelty to converge on New Central Park.”

The date for the game has been confirmed as June 3.

Rosyth 3 Livingston United 1

BARRY COCKBURN has hailed the progress of his Rosyth team after they finished their season in style on Saturday.

Goals from Tam Hampson, Matty Dawson and Greg Robertson sealed a 3-1 win over Livingston United to end their South Division campaign with four successive home wins since returning to Recreation Park last month.

After a season that saw them move away from their home ground temporarily and see co-manager Kevin Smith step away from the club, Cockburn has been delighted with the strides Rosyth have made since he took sole charge in February.

They had to come from behind but Rosyth were good value for the three points that ensured an eighth-place finish in the table.

They equalised through Hampson’s header midway through the first half, before taking the lead five minutes later thanks to a fine solo effort from Dawson.

The game was put out of Livingston’s reach 10 minutes from the interval when veteran and club Player of the Year Mark McCulloch delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post for Robertson to nod home.

Cockburn said: “Wins breed confidence and our recent run at home has been superb, with us scoring 16 goals in four games now back at Recreation Park, so confidence was high and everyone was eager to finish with another win.

“Overall, we edged the game and deserved the points. I have been delighted with the progress we have shown over the course of the season and the boys deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. We had added a lot of quality to the squad this season and it’s all taken time to gel but it’s starting to come together nicely now.

“We had a positive meeting with all the players on Thursday night after training to go over this season’s progress and set objectives. The boys can now go off and enjoy a five-week break and can report back knowing if we want to achieve something next season, we will have to work harder from day one.”