A crucial clash in Cumbernauld awaits for Kelty Hearts as we travel to take on Hamilton Academical.  It’s ninth hosting tenth in League One, with a win for Kelty crucial in an effort to escape automatic relegation.

Six points separate the two sides in the relegation dog-fight at the bottom.  A win for Hamilton would see that gap increase to nine, and with five games to go leave Thomas O’Ware’s side with a mountain to climb.

A win for Kelty Hearts alternatively would close the gap to three and put pressure on the Accies for the rest of the run-in.

The Accies are in inconsistent form with one win in their last six, two of those being draws.  Last week, they spurned a golden chance to close the gap on Cove Rangers in eighth by losing a two goal lead at the Balmoral Stadium.

Kelty Hearts will be hoping for a reaction to last week’s loss at Ochiview.  Stenhousemuir ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in that one, with goals from Ross Taylor and Matty Aitken.

The matches between Kelty and Hamilton this season have often gone in favour of the Accies.  However, last time out at New Central Park it was a goalless draw between the two sides.  

Previewing the game to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware admits this is a “must-win game.  The team knows, they’ll need to deal with that pressure.  We need to regroup, be there and be ready to get all three points.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)