Super Joe is crock of gold for Thommo
JOE CARDLE defied the odds and bashed ribs to keep Kelty in top spot.
The 34-year-old thought he was a non-starter after sustaining the injury against Edinburgh City.
But with boss Kevin Thomson only able to name four subs, Cardle insisted he had to play.
And he responded with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win at Stenhousemuir.
Cardle revealed : “I took a bad one to the ribs last Saturday and if you had asked me on Wednesday if I would be playing I would have said no chance.
“I have been toiling, but with the boys who were missing, I knew I’d have to get involved.
“On Thursday when we saw the numbers dropping it was a wee bit scary.
“But every credit to the boys who stepped in because in the second half especially, we played some good stuff.
“I’m still getting used to part-time football after being full-time for the last 17 years, but it’s a great club and as long we can keep on doing the business on a Saturday I’ll be a happy man.”
Cardle laid on the 13th minute opener for Alfredo Agyeman.
Stenny levelled through Adam Brown but Cardle restored Kelty’s advantage with a smart finish.
Second-half goals from Jamie Barjonas and Agyeman wrapped up an excellent day’s work.
Annan remain hot on Kelty’s heels after coming from behind to beat Cowdenbeath 3-1.
Robbie Buchanan put the Blue Brazil ahead but Tony Wallace levelled just four minutes into the second half.
Iain Anderson headed Annan ahead and Wallace sealed their fourth straight win with his second.
Stranraer boss Jamie Hamill saw his decimated side hold Forfar to a battling 1-1 draw.
Daryll Duffy equalised for the Blues – without NINE top-team players – after Craig Slater’s earlier opener.
Hamill said: “I could not be any more proud of every one of them.
“We had 12 players and a goalkeeper in on an amateur form, and I couldn’t believe how well he did.”
Kurtis Roberts and Dale Carrick fired Stirling Albion to a 2-1 win over Albion Rovers, who countered through Charlie Reilly.