After two league wins on the bounce attention turns to the SPFL Trust Trophy as Kelty Hearts make the short journey to Dunfermline.  East End Park hosts this fourth round tie as Kelty look to extend their winning run and positive start to the season.

James McPake’s Dunfermline Athletic sit ninth in the William Hill Scottish Championship with five points from their opening eight games.  In the previous round, the Pars defeated fellow Fife side East Fife at Bayview 2-0.  

Kelty Hearts have never beaten Dunfermline in a competitive match.  In the 2022/23 season, Kelty held the eventual League One champions to two goalless draws either side of two narrow defeats.  

It was a 3-1 win against Elgin City which saw the Maroon Machine progress to the fourth round.  A first-half double for Craig Johnston and one from Scott Williamson soared Kelty into a 3-0 lead before the League Two side scored a late consolation.

Speaking to Kelty Hearts TV, Michael Tidser previewed the game “it’s up to us to try to put on a performance on the back of last week with the start we’ve had.  They’re a good side and are in the Championship for a reason, so the most important thing is focussing on ourselves.  On the day, we’ll try to put on a good performance and take it from there.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)