Kelty Hearts 4 Preston Athletic 0, East of Scotland League

THOMAS Courts hailed the effort of Kelty Hearts to ensure Saturday’s game went ahead as his side ensured it was worthwhile.

The weekend’s cold snap put their first Saturday league match at New Central Park for 10 weeks in doubt but work to make the pitch playable paid off in style as the hosts racked up their 11th win in 11 league games.

They’re five points clear of Leith Athletic, who they visit on December 9, and have now scored 78 league goals after hitting four past Preston for a third time in league and cup.

Scott Dalziel got the hosts going when he converted Elliot Ford’s cross and Kelty were two to the good by half-time when Ford again provided the ammunition, this time for Stuart Cargill to head home.

Ross Philp drove home the third goal five minutes after the break before Cargill completed the scoring for his 23rd of the campaign two minutes later.

Courts said: “It was a great effort by all at the club to get the game on and getting the use of a special machine worked well.

“Preston are an improving side and they made it difficult for us in the first part of the game, but the two goals just before the break without us being at our best, made a big difference.

“The goals early in the second period settled the result and to make it 11 out of 11 was very pleasing.”

Goalkeeper banned

Meanwhile Oakley United goalkeeper Ross Wortley has been handed a six-game ban by disciplinary bosses after brawling with supporters.

The 42-year-old appeared before the Scottish Junior Football Association’s East Region committee last Thursday to give his version of events during the East of Scotland Cup tie with Tranent.

Wortley was sent off at half-time after he confronted four of his own supporters positioned behind his goal who it is believed had subjected him to verbal abuse throughout the first half.

Fighting then broke out before the player and spectators were separated, and Wortley, both clubs and the referee were asked to provide information to the committee.

His suspension will begin with Saturday’s rescheduled Scottish Junior Cup tie with Linlithgow Rose, and Oakley boss Lee Richardson confirmed: “We’ll be without Ross, who got a six-game ban.

“He got a really fair hearing, which is all you can ask, and I think they took into account the provocation that he faced.

“We’re looking forward to it (Saturday).

“These are the games that the players and committee want, against the big teams, and Linlithgow Rose have been one of the biggest in the east in recent years.

“Hopefully the village will come out and support the team.”

The other West Fife team left in the cup, Crossgates Primrose, will also be plotting a shock when they take on 2016 winners Beith Juniors.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 1.45pm): Scottish Junior Cup: Crossgates Primrose v Beith Juniors, Oakley United v Linlithgow Rose. McBookie.com South Division - Lochgelly Albert v Rosyth.