Kelty close in on top spot with five-goal win over Cumbernauld

Kelty Hearts manager Barry Ferguson got the 90-minute performance he was looking for as a 5- 0 win over Cumbernauld Colts saw them move to within two points of Lowland League leaders East Kilbride with a game in hand.

It took Hearts just seven minutes to open the scoring, with Michael Tidser steering in a 20yard free-kick. Then on 22 minutes a half-volley from Jamie Stevenson doubled the lead.

Just after the break, Nathan Austin, making his first start of the season, missed a penalty. However, a quality finish from Dylan Easton did make it 3-0 on 69 minutes and Austin marked his return on 75 minutes with a goal. In stoppage time, Easton scored his second and Hearts’ fifth.

Kinnoull joined the tail end of the leading pack in the East of Scotland League First Division Conference B following an excellent 4- 0 win at Stirling University.

Alan Cunningham and Benn Blyth scored in the first half with Ben Ragen and Dale Smart netting after the break

It wasn’t the best of days for the local clubs in the Soccer Shop Direct Challenge Cup, with eight teams going out.

An early goal from Garry Thomson Jr was enough to see Thornton Hibs through in their first round c lash w ith Rutherglen Glencairn at Bayview. Hibs now face Nithsdale Wanderers at home.

Jeanfield Swifts pulled of a bit of a shock in the second round, beating Caledonian Braves 3-1.

Chris Dodds scored twice before half-time, Connor McLaren added a third with 15 minutes left and the visitors scored in stoppage time.

Glenrothes were beaten 5-1 by West of Scotland side St Cadocs at Warout. Scott Russell had netted an equaliser for Glens just before half-time.

Kennoway Star Hearts boss Lee Richardson had said before the game that the league was his main focus so it is doubtful he will have lost much sleep over his side’s 3-0 defeat at home to St Roch’s.

Kirkcaldy & Dysart beat Lochmaben 6-3 to progress to round three.

The home side took a 10 th- minute lead but eight minutes later Kirkcaldy led 3-1 through a Ricki Cooper hat-trick.

Ronnie Martin added a fourth on the half-hour and John Soutar made it 5-1 on 56 minutes before the home side pulled a goal back.

Soutar made it 6-2 10 minutes from the end before Lochmaben got another one back.

St Andrews United’s poor run continued as they lost 3-2 at home to Hawick Royal Albert.

The visitors led 2-0 at the break but a quickfire double from Jack Healy and an Owen Andrew penalty drew Saints level. Hawick scored the winner with 15 minutes left.

Struggling Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts went down 6 -3 at Gartcairn despite leading twice in the first half through Josh Morris.

Morris completed his hat-trick after the break but Gartcairn found a second gear to pull away from the visitors.

Newburgh had made a good start to the season but were thrashed last week at Luncarty and exited the Challenge Cup at Premier Division strug glers Blackburn United.

The visitors led at the break through an early goal from Aiden Edward but Blackburn won 3-1.

Crossga tes were dumped out, losing 2-0 at Coldstream

Tam Hampson scored a hat-trick on his return to the Rosyth starting XI against Camelon but it wasn’ t enough as the Falkirk side ran out 5-3 winners.

Burntisland Shipyard had the chance to lead at Bo’ness United but Reece B r o w n’s p e n a l ty was saved on 38 minutes.

Fo r m e r Ke l t y man Brian Ritchie put Bo’ness ahead in first half stoppage time. Shippy levelled on the hour but Ritchie completed a hattrick before Kyle Bell added a fourth in added time.

Hi l l of Beath are through to round three but needed an own goal to see off Glasgow University.