Kelty boss Michael Tidser hails win over Stenhousemuir

KELTY made a lightning start with a goal inside 50 seconds and player-boss Michael Tidser reckoned they should have had the three points wrapped up much earlier than they did.

Scott Allan netted before most fans at New Central Park had a chance to blow the steam off their pre-match Bovril and Ross Cunningham added the second goal after the break.

The Warriors hit the bar and were aggrieved not to get a penalty but in the end it was a comfortable victory for Hearts who passed up opportunities of their own to extend their lead.

Tidser said: "This league is going to be so difficult so it's important that when we get teams here we try and capitalise on that.

Kelty Hearts player-manager Michael Tidser. (Image: David Wardle)

"I thought we deserved to win. They had a couple of half chances in the first half but in terms our chances, if we were a bit more ruthless and a bit more unselfish, we probably could have put that game to bed a wee bit earlier.

"Overall it's a good three points and a good start to the season but that's all it is. We need to keep our focus and keep building."

Kelty followed up last week's 1-1 draw at Montrose with a top performance against the Warriors and Craig Johnston deserved credit for his part in the opening goal.

The home town boy collected Scott Mercer's long punt and showed strength and skill before rolling the ball into the path of Allan, who from just outside the box swerved a fine finish into the top corner.

Craig Johnston played his part in the opening goal for Kelty. (Image: David Wardle)

Stenny almost hit back immediately, Matt Yates rattling the bar with a half volley, and the away manager, Gary Naysmith, reckoned they should have had a penalty when Ross Taylor tumbled in the box.

Hearts defender Brody Paterson made a goal-saving block when Euan O'Reilly looked set to level and Kelty missed a good chance to go two up when Mercer's header dropped just the wrong side of the post. 

Ruairidh Adams shovelled a Mikey Anderson effort round the post and Taylor was off target as the newly promoted Warriors chased an equaliser. 

Ross Cunningham skipped away from this tackle before drilling home the second goal for Hearts. (Image: David Wardle)

But Hearts killed off their challenge in the 56th minute when Scott Williamson just kept the ball in and pulled it back for Cunningham.

There was still work to do but he skipped away from one challenge and arrowed a low shot back across the keeper and into the bottom corner.   

Williamson - on loan from Queen's Park - proved a handful and was twice out of luck in the latter stages, denied by top saves from ex-Hearts goalie Darren Jamieson.

Cunningham also came close with a ferocious half volley that the keeper managed to parry.

There was a late flurry from Stenhousemuir, sub Finlay Allan forcing a good stop from Adams, but Kelty saw it through.   

Tidser said: "If you ask the likes of Tam O'Ware and Callum Flatman, they don't like strikers who will run in behind. It's a nightmare for defenders and that's why I brought in Scotty Williamson to the club.

On-loan striker Scott Williamson can be a nightmare for defenders. (Image: David Wardle)

"He's unfortunate he doesn't get any goals today but overall I'm really pleased.

"I'm pleased for Scott Allan too, getting his first goal for the club, and with the clean sheet too so it's a good day for the team.

"Winning games of football is not easy. It doesn't help with the conditions as well - I hate playing when it's really windy like that - but we played some nice stuff and we turned them round a lot as I felt with the pace of our front two they could cause problems and it proved right."

Tidser said the aim is to make New Central Park a fortress by ensuring it's an extremely uncomfortable 90 minutes for all of their opponents.

He added: "I want to win more games here than we did last season.

"On the road we were always decent and always competed, picked up some big wins too, but it's important we really try and make it difficult for teams coming here - and we certainly did that today."