Threave 0 Kelty Hearts 4

Lowland League play-off 1st leg

KELTY HEARTS have one foot in the Lowland League after a second half goal-glut earned them a fine win at Threave Rovers.

Thomas Courts’ side are now just 90 minutes away from promotion after they blew the South of Scotland League champions away on their own patch in the first leg of their play-off tie.

After a scoreless opening period, Ross Philp fired the Jambos ahead early in the second half before Scott Dalziel added a second just a minute later.

Stuart Cargill’s 37th goal of the campaign, and Brian Ritchie’s header, completed a superb afternoon for the East of Scotland League winners, who are now massive favourites to complete the job on Saturday.

Courts said that the prospect of moving up to the fifth tier of Scottish football – and just one division below the SPFL – is an exciting one, but cautioned: “The players desperately want to deliver Lowland League football but we would never be disrespectful to Threave by thinking the tie is over.

“In both the team talk and at half-time, I said to the boys that we can’t achieve promotion today, so we have to be patient and stay relaxed.

“The first goal was always important and, once we got the first and the second, the boys smelled the opportunity to take it on.

“I think the whole week leading up to the game was positive. We trained well and the club invested in sending us down on the Friday night; everything we could do to provide the players with the platform to perform, we did.

“It was a professional performance and we got our just rewards.”

Courts hopes a large home support will again turnout to help Kelty over the line in the return, and continued: “We are seeking a big crowd.

“We’re at home, are in good form and have good squad availability.

“If we win promotion, it will have vindicated the plan to be like a pioneer in the East of Scotland League.

“We put our reputation on the line and the club has been under the spotlight, so there would be pride, relief and joy, but it would also be extremely exciting.”

Stoneyburn 0 Oakley United 4

OAKLEY UNITED maintained their pursuit of a third-place finish in the South Division by seeing off lowly Stoneyburn on Saturday.

Richard Fox’s team won their 10th match out of 11 in convincing style thanks to goals from Tyron McLean, Ryan Stevenson, Jack Cowan and a penalty from Derek Murray.

Fox commented: “It was a convincing win.

“I don’t think we got off to the best start; it was 0-0 after 23 minutes and then, all of a sudden, we scored three goals in eight or nine minutes.

“After that we were pretty comfortable.

“We hit the post, hit the bar and their goalkeeper was outstanding in the second half. To be honest, the 4-0 scoreline flattered them.”

Saturday’s fixtures (2.30pm unless stated): Lowland League play-off, second leg - Kelty Hearts v Threave Rovers (3pm). McBookie.com South Division - Harthill Royal v Crossgates Primrose, Oakley United v West Calder United.