The Maroon Machine host Cove Rangers in our final New Central Park outing of the season.  In the penultimate fixture of the 2025/26 campaign, Kelty’s fate could be sealed by the afternoon. 

Our opponents Cove Rangers are battling to avoid the ninth place relegation play-off spot.  They are above Hamilton by three points and East Fife on goal difference, with a meeting with the Fifers to come on the final day.

Cove Rangers produced one of the most impactful results of the season last week beating Stenhousemuir 2-0.  Goals from Adam Emslie and Mitch Megginson saw Cove guarantee an at worst ninth placed finish, as well as helping out Inverness to potentially clinch the title.

For Kelty, we know that to avoid automatic relegation two wins from the final two matches is required.  Additionally, Kelty would also hope for Hamilton to lose both their final matches, as one point would see the Accies avoid tenth.

Kelty Hearts have beaten Cove Rangers both in the league at the Balmoral Stadium and at New Central Park in the Scottish Cup.  However, Paul Hartley’s side got the better of Kelty in the prior meeting at New Central Park.

Previewing the match to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware admitted “it’ll be another tough game. We need to get the team together, get organised and go again next week.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)