Maroons too good for the Blue Toon

Three points, three goals and a clean sheet delighted Kelty Hearts boss John Potter as the Maroon Machine spoiled new Peterhead manager David Robertson’s first game in charge.

The former Aberdeen and Rangers defender had been hoping to change the fortunes of bottom side Peterhead, but they were no match for a clinical Kelty side who scored three times in the second half.

It was a game that Kelty dominated, although they couldn’t find the net until a minute into the second half. But, in the end, they ran out comfortable winners.

To make matters worse for the Blue Toon they ended with 10 men after Andrew Mcdonald was awarded a second yellow in the 82nd minute when he gave away a penalty for a foul on Nathan Austin.

Potter said: “I think throughout the whole 90 minutes we were the better team, moved the ball about, created chances and turned in a good performance.”

Potter is now turning to next week’s SPFL Trust Trophy tie against Linfield.

He said: “I want the fans to come along and enjoy it, for it’s a brilliant occasion for the club with a good atmosphere and a lot of fans.

“It’s a difficult game but one we’re looking forward to and hopefully we’ll have a full squad.

The Maroon Machine had lost four of their last five matches but they put the pressure on from the start and former Dundee and Arbroath midfielder Nicky Low came close in the third minute, then five minutes later had another long-range shot which went narrowly past the upright.

Kelty keeper Darren Jamieson came to the rescue when a cross from on-loan Michael Hewitt found Danny Strachan unmarked at the back post in the eighth minute and then on the half-hour mark at the other end, Kallum Higginbotham saw his shot stopped by the keeper.

It took Kelty only a minute to break the deadlock in the second half when Thomas O’ware headed home a corner from Low.

Then Kallum Higginbotham’s shot from inside the box was blocked by Mcdonald

Kelty found it difficult to turn their pressure into goals and in 76 minutes Michael Hewitt had a chance for the Blue Toon but his shot went over the bar.

Six minutes later Mcdonald’s last-man challenge resulted in a red card and Low hit the top corner of the net with the resultant spot-kick.

Alfred Agyeman came close with an 87th minute header, but he made no mistake on 90 minutes when he fired in number three – which got a slight deflection from 12 yards and beat the Peterhead keeper.

ON-FORM: Kelty defender Jordon Forster, second right, gets up powerfully to clear a Peterhead attack.

Kelty’s Michael Tidser and Darren Lyon combine.