lowlaND league
▪ League leaders KELTY HEARTS took a big stride towards the title with a narrow 3-2 win over second-placed BONNYRIGG ROSE. Four of the goals came in a thrilling first 45 minutes, with the Maroon Machine taking a 17th-minute lead when Ross Philp tapped home. Lee Currie hit a tremendous free-kick into the net to square things, but Kelty were ahead again thanks to a stunning strike from Dylan Easton, then Nathan Austin got a third with seven minutes of the first half left – his 37th in the league. In the 56th minute, George Hunter lobbed into the net to make it 3-2.
▪ CALEDONIAN BRAVES pulled off a shock 3-1 win over EAST STIRLINGSHIRE, who played most of the second half with 10 men after Nicky Low was given a straight red card on 52 minutes. Neil McLaughlin put Braves ahead on five minutes, but Low equalised eight minutes later. After the restart, McLaughlin headed home the second from a Ross Winter cross, and Ross McNeill grabbed a third.
▪ EDINBURGH UNI got a vital point in a 2-2 draw with champions EAST KILBRIDE, who went ahead with a Paul Woods goal on 21 minutes. Patrick Baird levelled early in the second half, only to see Ricky Miller restore Kilby’s lead. Then Josh Bennington got the vital equaliser for the third-bottom side.
▪ GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS hit four second-half goals to stun CIVIL SERVICE STROLLERS with a 4-0 thrashing. Gareth Rodger, Scott Taylor Mackenzie, Alex Chingwalu and Jacob Campbell were the scorers.
▪ GRETNA 2008’s disappointing run continues with STIRLING UNI getting a narrow 1-0 win over them. The vital goal came in the third minute with Jamie Penker curling a shot into the net.
▪ On Friday night, SPARTANS got a narrow 2-1 win over bottom side VALE OF LEITHEN, but it took them to the 76th minute to break down the stubborn Vale defence as Adam Corbett headed a cross into the net. Then, 60 seconds later, they were 2-0 up as Nicky Reid fired home. Vale got a goal back in the dying seconds with a Liam Ireland counter.
▪ BSC GLASGOW got back on track with a 3-1 win over CUMBERNAULD COLTS. Willie Mortimer put the visitors ahead, but Thomas Orr, Declan Hughes and a Thomas Collins penalty secured the points for BSG.