The spoils were shared at New Central Park as Kelty Hearts and Peterhead played out a 1-1 draw.  Craig McGuffie latched onto a loose ball to fire the visitors ahead after 15 minutes before Ross Cunningham came off the bench to score a screamer on his second debut for the club.

After a decent opening spell for Kelty, it was Peterhead who opened the scoring after 15 minutes.  Cammy Smith lined up a shot on the edge of the box which was saved by Kyle Gourlay, however he could only parry the shot which fell in the path of McGuffie who side-footed a calm finish.

The hour mark saw the re-introduction of last season’s player of the year Ross Cunningham.  He was heavily involved with the attacking play which eventually led to the equaliser.  

The goal eventually did come in the 86th minute and it was a Ross Cunningham special.  Picking up the ball just outside of the box, Cunningham cut past a defender and the ball dropped to his left.  With the outside of his right boot, he curled the effort into the top left corner beyond a helpless Jack Newman.  

Before his goal, Cunningham came close with a free-kick.  Luke McCarvel was fouled around 25 yards from goal and Cunningham stepped up to take it.  The set-piece curled over the wall and struck the top of the post, inches away from the top corner.  

The woodwork was struck at either end in the second half.  First, Peterhead had a cross from the left which Brody Paterson fortunately turned onto his own post.  Later, Alex Ferguson looped a cross into the box which came off the crossbar and was cleared.

The Blue Toon will be disappointed they didn’t go into the break with a two goal lead after squandering a decent chance.  Smith got in ahead of Jack Brydon and had Max Berry for support with just Gourlay to beat.  However, the pass into Berry was underhit and that allowed Sam Fisher to get back for a vital block.  

Reflecting on the dramatic finish to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware admitted “if we came away without anything it would’ve been a travesty.  I thought we were excellent, I thought we controlled large parts of the game. It’s just that final bit where we don’t have a striker on the pitch.

I’m delighted for Ross, and that’s why I was so disappointed that we lost him.  He can produce a moment out of nothing and that’s why he’s so important.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)