Austin pounces to send Kelty top

Kelty Hearts went top of the Lowland League following a hardfought 1-0 victory at Falkirk Stadium against East Stirlingshire.

The only goal of the game came early in the second half when Nathan Austin was quickest to react to poke the ball home.

The win takes Barry Ferguson’s side above Bonnyrigg Rose, who beat Buckie Thistle 2-0 in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Crossgates Primrose’s season has been up and down so far.

The last five East of Scotland league games have seen three defeats to Dundonald, Hill of Beath and Camelon, a draw with Jeanfield and in their last league outing an impressive 3-2 win over Linlithgow Rose.

This weekend the Fife side host Whitehill Welfare, who have continued the poor form that saw them relegated from the Lowland League at the end of last season.

Primrose boss Alan Campbell expects to have a full squad but will make a late selection.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn this week announced their new management team will be club legend John Mitchell and Jim Ferguson. Mitchell played 798 games for the club and, with Ferguson, had been in charge of the under-20s before taking over as caretaker manager when Kevin Fotheringham left.

The duo’s first game in charge is at Keir’s Park this week against Newtongrange Star. Mitchell has a lengthy injury list to contend with and should have the same squad that beat Penicuik last weekend.

Jeanfield Swifts host Blackburn Utd at Riverside Stadium in the East of Scotland Premier Division and are desperately looking to kick-start their season. Boss Ross Gunnion will be without Mike Kennedy and has doubts over Fraser Smith and Chris Scott. On a brighter note, Scott Mollison returns to the squad.

In the First Division, Burntisland Shipyard’s form has shown improvement since the end of August and the Fifers are on a run of six Conference A games without defeat.

This week Haddington Athletic are the visitors to Recreation Park. They were the last side to beat Shippy in the league, so manager Grant Brough will not be taking them lightly. He expects to have the same squad that drew 1-1 at leaders Leith Athletic last week.

The arrival of Owen Andrew and Kyle Wilson at Barnetts Park has given St Andrews United a boost but Wilson is missing for the visit of Dunipace. The striker is joined on the sidelines by Daryl Falconer and Josh Fital, with doubts over Jason Penman and Keir Mcauley.

Kinnoull boss Alan Cameron says he has done well to get a side on the pitch the last few weeks such is the injury list at Tulloch Park. However, he is still disappointed the Perth side have gone three games without a win after such a good start to the season. It certainly doesn’t get any easier for Cameron’s men as this week sees them entertain league leaders Leith Athletic, themselves smarting from dropping points at home to Burntisland last weekend.

Glenrothes were disappointed to exit the South Region Challenge Cup at Dunipace last weekend and boss Barry Cockburn is looking for a reaction as his side take on Dalkeith Thistle at Warout Stadium. The visitors sit just a point behind in the Conference B table having played a game more so will be stiff opponents. Cockburn this week added Fionn Mcleod Kay to his squad after spells at Raith Rovers, Kelty Hearts and Brechin City. He goes straight into the squad.

With Preston Athletic not in action, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts will look to open a gap against bottom-club Tweedmouth Rangers at Ballast Park. With the Borders side conceding an average of almost five goals, it’s a fair bet there will be goals and Swifts boss Lee Duffy will be demanding a performance from his side.

Oakley United’s reward for last week’s quarter-final win at Kinnoull in the Alex Jack Cup is a home semi-final this weekend againstpremierleaguestrugglers Dunbar United. United boss Stewart Kenny is without injured Taku Seva but otherwise has a full squad to pick from.