Published: Thursday, 23rd October, 2008 8:25am

Under-strength Kelty Hearts get a lift with cup victory

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KELTY Hearts put their stuttering Super League form to one side to make a welcome return to winning ways in the Fife and Lothians Cup on Saturday.

With a key couple of weeks approaching the Jambos overcame a crippling injury list to record a confidence boosting 4-2 victory away to West Calder Utd.

Manager Stevie Leighton was delighted with the much-needed win as he looks forward to a crucial Super League tie away to Glenrothes this Saturday followed by the next round of the Scottish Cup.

He told Press Sport, 'We have been through a stale period of late, with a few draws and defeats, but it was important to try to get the confidence back, especially with so many guys missing.

'We were down to the bare bones with some subs not fit to play. We had to change our formation just to get the shape right although they weren"t a great side.'

A much stiffer test will come this weekend when Kelty travel to Warout Stadium to play a Glenrothes side who were unlucky not to take maximum points away to unbeaten Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.

Leighton said, 'Our next two games are massive. They have hit a bit of form and have made some good signings. I heard they were unlucky not to win against Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday so we know it will be tough.

'It"s never been a happy hunting ground for me in the past but I will be hoping to burst that hoodoo this weekend and turn our league form around.'

New Oakley boss Stevie Kay remained defiant despite his side"s 6-2 defeat at the hands of top of the table Carnoustie that leaves them pointless at the bottom of the East Region Premier League.

Oakley found themselves three goals adrift and a man down at half time, with a quick-fire fourth following after the break, but two goals from Peter Bannantyne and Davie Balfour gave Oakley hope. Two late strikes sealed the result for the home side.

Kay said, 'I thought we did alright and didn"t deserve the score line to finish like it did. We were pressing and having a go and had them rattled at 4-2 but two late goals killed the game.'

Kay hailed the return of his side"s fighting spirit and believes they have to use that to make Blairwood Park a place teams fear to visit again.

'It was night and day from the week before,' he said. 'I saw the return of the fighting spirit people associate with Oakley. Nobody used to want to come to Blairwood Park and we have got to return to that mentality.'

Oakley will be looking to rack up their first points of the campaign when they entertain Dundee North End this Saturday.

Crossgates had no complaints as they were eliminated from the Scottish Cup after a 5-2 defeat by Blairgowrie at Humbug Park.

The home side had a calamitous 15-minute first-half spell that saw them reduced to ten men and three goals down after Colin Paterson was red carded and Alan Cruickshank struck three times in nine minutes.

Despite goals from Mark Pagliarulo and Ross Cowan, a Darren Neave double late on killed off any hopes of a glorious cup comback.

Rosyth strengthened their challenge at the top of the East Region Central Division with a 5-1 victory over bottom dogs Luncarty.

Rosyth raced into a three goal lead after only 25 minutes thanks to an Alan McDonough double and a Ryan Thomson strike.

Dougie Jay reduced the arrears for Luncarty before half time but further goals from Czech star Ondrej Koc and Colin Brown ensured Rosyth moved to within two points of league leaders St Andrews with the same games played. Rosyth will travel to Lochgelly Albert this Saturday.

Steelend suffered a comprehensive defeat in the Fife and Lothians Cup at Sauchie where they went down 5-2. Despite being three goals down Steelend threatened a major comeback when two goals from Adam Watt put the outcome back in the melting pot. However two further Sauchie strikes put the game out of reach for Paul Glancy"s men.

Saturday"s fixtures: East Region Super League – Glenrothes v Kelty Hearts; East Region Premier League – Oakley United v Dundee North End; East Region Central League – Crossgates Primrose v St. Andrews Utd, Lochgelly Albert v Rosyth.