Linlithgow Rose 1 Kelty Hearts 3 KELTY HEARTS fired a strong message of intent to their Super League title rivals after recording a superb victory at Linlithgow Rose on Saturday (pictured).

Thomas Courts’ side remain unbeaten in this season’s league campaign and moved five points clear of Newtongrange Star after a devastating 10-minute spell in the second half saw them wrap up the points against the 10-man hosts.

Rose saw goalkeeper Scott Christie sent off after only five minutes after he raced from his goal and took out Sean O’Neill but it took Kelty until the 53rd minute to make their numerical advantage count as Conrad Courts raced clear from halfway and clipped a shot over substitute goalkeeper Michael McKinven.

Neil McCabe doubled the visitors’ advantage as he pounced on McKinven dropping a Brian Ritchie header before O’Neill got on the end of Conrad Courts’ free-kick to make the points safe for the visitors.

Although John Ovenstone’s header provided a consolation for the Prestonfield side, boss Courts was thrilled with his team’s performance as they continued their sensational form after only avoiding relegation last term by winning a two-legged play-off with Dalkeith Thistle.

Kelty face another stern examination of their title credentials this weekend as they host Bo’ness United - the only team to beat Hearts this season in the Junior Cup last month - in the division’s match of the day at Central Park.

Broughty Athletic 1 Oakley United 0 OAKLEY boss James Watt has urged his men to end the first half of the season on a high this weekend after they fell to an unfortunate defeat at Broughty Athletic on Saturday.

The Blairwood Park men lost their ninth game of their Premier Division season thanks to Kris Brash’s speculative effort from around 40 yards but Watt believed his team deserved at least a point from a hard-fought encounter.

They host Jeanfield Swifts this weekend looking for revenge after the Taysiders knocked Oakley out of the Junior Cup after a replay and the manager told Press Sport, “Over the piece I think we were worthy of something and I feel sorry for the players because the work and commitment they’re putting in is tremendous. It was a bit of a freak goal and sometimes you need a bit of luck that seems to be going against us at the moment. We’ve got a three-week break after this weekend so we’re looking to finish this half of the season on a high.

“On Saturday there was nothing in the game. We played some really good stuff against a team who have a few ex-seniors like Lee Sibanda and Jamie McCunnie. A few of our guys were playing amateur last season and had the opportunity to put themselves against them and did very well.” Watt revealed that he is hoping to arrange at least one friendly match over the Christmas period and is on the lookout for ways to improve his squad.

He added, “The boys are giving us everything but you never stop looking to add to and improve the squad. It’s a continuous thing and we’re also looking to have at least one friendly to maybe take a look at a couple of players. But we also want to have the boys in and make sure we’re not caught cold when we’re back in the New Year.” Haddington Athletic 2 Rosyth 1 LEE RICHARDSON believes his side are ready for a promotion battle after going toe-to-toe in a thrilling match with South Division leaders Haddington Athletic.

Tam Hampson’s 16th goal of the season five minutes after half-time fired Rec ahead but their lead lasted just two minutes as Kenny McMillan netted after Steven Mayne could only parry a free-kick.

As a frantic contest flowed from end-to-end, Arran Ponton’s curling shot from the edge of the area won it for the East Lothian side, who moved 11 points of clear of second-placed Rosyth having played two games more.

But Richardson remained upbeat despite the defeat and told Press Sport that making the step up to the Premier Division at the end of the campaign is well within his side’s capabilities.

He said, “In the end the result was disappointing but we played really well. It was an even first half but we came out in the second and Tam scored a good goal but we never held the lead for more than two minutes. They’ve had chances and so have we but they scored a really good goal and after that we went 3-4-3 with John McDairmid coming on. We had a really good chance with a header from a corner but it hit Kevin Goodwin on the line but they hit the post a couple of times, so it was a game that could’ve gone either way.

“I took a look of encouragement from it and their coaches told us we were the best team they’ve played. It was a good attacking game to watch and Keith Wright, the former Cowdenbeath manager and Hibs striker, who coaches with them raved about how we played. We’re 11 points behind Haddington so we’re realistically looking at second place, but it’s about us keeping that tempo up and hope we don’t get many injuries or suspensions.” Rosyth are unbeaten at home in the league and will be hot favourites to return to winning ways this weekend against third-bottom Harthill Royal before they face a trip to third-placed Whitburn before Christmas.

Richardson added, “The goal at the start of the season was to finish in the top six and anything above that was a bonus. Where we are now was something we were looking for next season but if we can do it a year before then great. We just need to keep plodding away and I’ve told the guys that every game is a cup final. We’ve played everyone now so they will know what to expect, and teams will defend against us more. But I’m happy with where we are just now and the way we play is good to watch.” Crossgates Primrose 3 West Calder United 3 CROSSGATES moved off the foot of the South Division table after sharing six goals in a thriller with West Calder at Humbug Park (pictured top of page).

David McNeely’s side had shown signs of promise in their previous outing – also drawn – at Stoneyburn but the concession of a late equaliser denied them an even better outcome on Saturday.

The West Lothian outfit led at half-time thanks to Tony Brown’s goal but an own goal five minutes after the restart brought the hosts back into the match.

Midway through the half Primrose took the lead through Jamie McNeill before David Aitken levelled for West Calder before Steven Stark looked set to pave the way for only a second league win of the season for Crossgates by putting them ahead again with 15 minutes left. But Callum Heaps struck late on to rescue a point but the result lifted Crossgates above Pumpherston on goal difference.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 1.45pm): McBookie.com Super League – Kelty Hearts v Bo’ness United. McBookie.com Premier League – Oakley United v Jeanfield Swifts. McBookie.com South Division – Blackburn United v Crossgates Primrose, Rosyth v Harthill Royal.