Workmanlike Kelty Add to Musselburgh's Woes

Kelty Hearts worked hard to deliver yet another home defeat to a Musselburgh side who had early chances - but gradually faded out of the game. The visitors ended up worthy winners with their more superior finishing.

It was joint top, Kelty Hearts against joint bottom, Musselburgh Athletic at Olive bank this afternoon. The defending champions Kelty are unbeaten since their opening day defeat at Newtongrange Star, whereas last season's beaten Junior Cup finalists have experienced a mixed start to the new campaign losing all of their home league games and crashing out of the East of Scotland Cup. However, Athletic did draw last Saturday and won away earlier in the season at Sauchie Juniors and Newtongrange Star.

Kelty started on the front foot on a perfect afternoon for football. From a long through ball Calum Smith nearly put Stuart Cargill in and a minute later Smith himself brought out a fine save from John Dodds in the home goal.

It was fully ten minutes before Musselburgh created anything positive and after Sean Jamieson headed on a corner from the right, Brian Martin crashed a shot against the bar when he looked certain to open the scoring. A minute later a John Hall through ball found Jamieson but his effort was over the bar.

The game was fairly even at this point and Athletic were playing better than their lowly league position suggested, but Kelty were dangerous and a snap shot from Cargill demonstrated that.

With 22 minutes on the clock Kelty took the lead.

Stephen Husband played in a low corner from the left and when the ball ended up at the feet of MURRAY CARSTAIRS, everybody appeared to stand still and he poked the ball home from close range.

Musselburgh didn't take long to get back into the game and after 29 minutes were back on level terms. A long ball was played into the area and as Jamieson looked likely to get his head to it, he was brought down. The referee Peter Stewart pointed to the spot and despite the home supporters demanding a red card, goalkeeper Kyle Allison received only a yellow. JACKIE MYLES stepped forward and made no mistake with the kick.

Myles tried his luck again minutes later but his effort was wild.

Against the run of play the visitors took the lead again after 38 minutes again. Conrad Courts send a corner from the right deep to the far post and when Brian Ritchie headed it back across goal, GARY LEIGHTON was on hand to head it home. The visitors had created only two real chances and scored each time.

As the break approached Kelty broke away from a Musselburgh corner and only a fine tackle by Myles averted the danger.

Half Time Musselburgh Athletic1; Kelty Hearts 2

The second half took a while to come to life and it the visitors again who had a chance with Husband firing his shot off the cross bar. From a Musselburgh corner there was a half chance for Martin at the far post but he couldn't take it.

Kelty went further ahead after 57 minutes. From a free kick Smith flicked the ball on and CARGILL was there to slip home the goal that sealed all three points.

Kelty were more dominant now without creating many openings. Musselburgh did have a chance from a Jack Wright free kick but Jamieson headed over

Kelty were not at their best but always carried a threat upfront with Smith and Cargill. Conrad Courts was busy in midfield and they restricted Musselburgh to very few clear chances. Musselburgh were left to rue early missed chances and perhaps the decision of the referee not to brandish red at the penalty incident. Hall, Myles and Wright were the pick of their team and the defence handled the dangerous combination of Cargill and Smith well.


Musselburgh are at home next Saturday when they entertain fellow strugglers Fauldhouse United while Kelty are in action in the Senior Scottish Cup.

Final Score Musselburgh Athletic1; Kelty Hearts 3


Teams
Musselburgh Athletic
John Dodds, John Hall, Gary Hamilton, Jackie Myles, Sean Jamieson, Scott Gibson, Brian Martin, Kevin Bracks, Jack Wright, Jack Bruce, Sean Palizcka  Subs Kevin McLeish, Daryl Waugh and Murray Jackson.
Kelty Hearts
Kyle Allison, Murray Carstairs, Scott Gates, Garry Leighton,Thomas Courts, Conrad Courts, Brian Ritchie, Stephen Husband, Calum Smith, Stuart Cargill and Neil McCabe Subs Devon Jacobs, Jason Penman, Paul Currie, Craig O'Reilly and Chris Hughes

Referee Peter Stewart, P. Peece and Tracy Walls

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter