Brave Kelty Rescue Point in Eight Goal Thriller

Despite being down to 10 men for nearly eighty minutes, Kelty Hearts fought back from being two goals behind, to earn a point against a Bonnyrigg side who looked certain to claim all three points.

Kelty Hearts continued their mammoth road trip when they arrived at New Dundas Park this afternoon - the Fife side's pitch is being redeveloped and they are playing away from home until the project is completed.  However, the defending McBookie.com East Super League Champions have lost only once this season on their travels -  when they visited Midlothian on March Day 1 and went down by a single goal to Newtongrange Star. Bonnyrigg Rose have enjoyed mixed fortunes losing two and winning two of their opening fixtures and are proving just a little inconsistent - this match was crucial to both sides if they were to keep in touch with the top of the league.

The visitors went straight into the attack and from a Smith flick on Moyes was forced to make a timely interception. Hearts forced two corners and from the second swung in by Currie, full back Hughes only needed to get a touch to open the scoring but the full back just couldn't reach it. 
However, the opening goal wasn't far away and when it came after 8 minutes it was a bazaar  own goal by centre back MOYES,  firing past his own keeper when there was no apparent danger!

Almost immediately Rose were on terms. A through ball was gathered by McGachie and as he bore down on goal he was upended by O'Neil just outside the area. Referee Duncan Williams immediately reached for his red card and O'Neil was adjudged to have denied a clear goal scoring opportunity. Nelson took the resultant free kick and looked to have wasted it but the ball broke to Hoskins whose cross was headed past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate HUGHES. Ten minutes on the clock - two own goals and a red card!!!

A minute later there was further drama. The energetic McGachie chased down goalkeeper Allison's attempted clearance and it rebounded from the front man and went narrowly past the post. 

Hearts reorganised at the back moving full back Leighton to centre back back and Gates back  to full back. However, it didn't take the home side long to exploit their weakness at the back. Archibald clipped a nice past down the line to always willing to get forward Hoskins. He cut the ball inside into the path of NELSON who passed the ball into the far corner.

Rose were playing some nice football and a nice flick from Turner gave Nelson a shooting chance which Allison did well to turn behind.

Kelty were still carrying a threat despite being a man short and on the half hour scored an equaliser. McCabe put in a good cross from the left and SMITH leapt to head a fine goal past Bald.

It had been end to end stuff and Rose nearly took the lead after 35 minutes. Hoskins, who was causing lots of trouble on the left, put in a fine cross and Kidd dived to meet it- his header was well saved by Allison low down at his right hand post.

The game was littered with errors and yet another gave Rose a half time lead. Leighton gave the ball away to TURNER, who still had a lot to do, but he finished well.

A pulsating first half with loads of drama and a great advert for the Junior game!!!

Half Time Bonnyrigg Rose 3; Kelty Hearts 2

Kelty made a change at the break with Carstairs replacing Hughes.

Rose tried to pass the ball around to tire out the visitors but the game was very even.

On the hour Rose won a couple of corners and from the second of those, Nelson's fine delivery was matched by MOYES fine header -  the centre back's powerful header giving keeper Allison no chance from close range. It looks to be the winning goal - Kelty two goals down, a player short and with less that half an hour on the clock - but they are the champions and they showed just why in the remaining minutes.

However, the had to survive another scary moment when an error by Carstairs gave McGachie a chance , however Leighton did well to get back and deny him. 

It was to be the home side's last opportunity. After sixty four minutes, Smith fired in a great shot which Rose's keeper did well to touch onto the cross bar. A minute later, after a number of errors in midfield, MaCabe fed in Gates who shot wide - but the signs were there -  the ten men were not going down without a fight. Next Smith shot wide

With twenty minutes left, both teams put on fresh legs. With Penman and top scorer Cargill on for Kelty and Gray on for Turner for the home side.

Kelty came close a few minutes later with Carstairs heading over a Gates corner. The home supporters were anxious,  despite their two goal lead and after 78 minutes Kelty were back in it.

The visitors won a free kick on their left 25 yards out and as the wall jumped HUSBAND sent the ball along the ground into the unguarded side of the goal - game on!!

With five minutes left on the clock the fightback was complete. A long through ball found CARGILL and as Archibald went to ground in the tackle, the prolific striker ran through and beat Bald with a smart finish !!

In the end Rose were delighted to hear the final whistle and at take least take a point.

This was a game with everything - a red card, own goals, well worked goals, great finishes and a wonderful fightback. Bonnyrigg will rue the loss of two points but they simply lost their way a bit in the second half. Kelty will see this as a point gained in difficult circumstances.

Best for the visitors were Smith and player manager Courts. The home side were well served by the ever willing McGachie who had a fine battle with Courts, Nelson and Hoskins - particularly in the first 45 minutes.

Bonnyrigg play Fauldhouse Utd away next Saturday while Kelty visit Camelon Juniors in their sixth consecutive away fixture.

All Super League sides will welcome the end of the midweek fixtures and take the opportunity to get a little break into their busy players.

Full Time Bonnyrigg Rose 4; Kelty Hearts 4

Teams
Bonnyrigg Rose
Billy Bald, Jonathan Brown, Dean Hoskins, Jonathon Stewart, Ewan Moyes, Ross Archibald Lewis Turner, Andrew Kidd, Kieran McGachie, Adam Nelson and Fraser McLaren  Subs Scott Gray, Donaldson, Dean Whitson, Connor Thompson and Chris Tobin

Kelty Hearts
Kyle Allison, Chris Hughes, Garry Leighton, Sean O'Neill, Tam Courts, Devon Jacobs, Paul Currie, Stephen Husband, Callum Smith, Neil McCabe and Scott Gates Subs Murray Carstairs, Jason Penman, Josh Morris, Stuart Cargill and Craig O'Reilly

Referee Duncan Williams, Assistants Michael Addy and Robert Williamson


Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter