Wing king Cardle could crown return with century Joe’s stuck on 99 goals as he heads back to Dunfermline
AS the clock ticked towards 90 minutes on Saturday, Joe Cardle could visualise what would have been a significant career milestone.
With his Kelty Hearts team 3-2 up at Falkirk, the 35-year-old, who had been brought off the bench, burst past three opponents and into the penalty area.
As he sent a shot across goal, the 100th strike of his senior career was within his sights, only for the ball to finish tantalisingly beyond the far post.
“I think I did everything right. I just gambled and took it past the boy, and I let loose. Inches,” he said.
“I’m disappointed about that, but it’s all about the team, and to come here and get a result, and be 2-0 up after 10, 15 minutes was fantastic, and obviously we dug it out in the end.”
There’s no doubt that the former Dunfermline hero, who will return to the ground where he had two spells, winning both the First Division (Championship) and League One title, would have loved to have hit the century at the home ground of their bitter rivals.
Cardle, who did find the net in Kelty’s 2-0 home win over the Bairns in September, is always guaranteed a frosty reception whenever he features against Falkirk.
“That would’ve been lovely,” he replied when asked if he’d have enjoyed bagging another against them.
“That would’ve been my 100th goal as well! I’m sure it’ll come sometime soon.
“It would’ve been nice to come here, with the experience I’ve had at Falkirk! It wasn’t meant to be, but hopefully it comes in the next few weeks, and I’ll be happy.”
Cardle admitted: “It’s been in the back of my head for a while now; I wish someone had never told me I was in and around it, because I feel like I’ve not scored in such a long time!
“I’m sure when it comes I’ll be excited, but I’m trying to put it to the back of my mind just now, and as long as we keep on getting results, and performances like that, I’ll be happy.”
In addition to his league badges with the Pars, and a League One medal collected with Partick Thistle, Cardle added a fourth championship success of his career in his first season with Kelty last term, in League Two.
He has, so far, netted 17 times in maroon, and laughed that he could “maybe” bring up his career century this Saturday at East End Park, where he remains a firm favourite.
“The boys are thriving and looking forward to games like this,” Cardle said.
“The fixtures come out at the start of the season, and these are the games you look forward to playing in.
“I think the boys showed their class today and we want to do that again next week.
“I’m just delighted to be coming to grounds like here (Falkirk), and East End Park.
“It’s amazing how far Kelty have come.
“We’re playing against big teams, full-time teams, and it just shows you how far the club have travelled in such a short space of time.
“It’s credit to everyone behind the scenes.
“To have got the club to where they are today is an amazing achievement. It’s not as if we’re happy and satisfied; we want to go again, and I think you can see that in the performance today.
“It’s a group effort and that’s not just the playing staff; it’s everyone upstairs and behind the scenes that works at Kelty Hearts because, days like this, if you told supporters five years ago that this was going to be happening, you’re in a world of your own.
“It’s fantastic.”
On returning to East End Park – he has been back before with both Partick and Raith Rovers – Cardle added: “Everyone knows my experience at Dunfermline.
“I live in the city and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been back, so let’s see how it goes down. Let’s see how it goes.
“Dunfermline have had a great start as well and we know it’s going to be a tough ask.
“They’re probably the best team in the league but, as I said, as long as we have a game plan and work hard on the day, you just never know what can happen.”