It’s a return to New Central Park for Kelty Hearts as we host Inverness Caledonian Thistle.  The Maroon Machine will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a slide in form since the turn of the year, which leaves us sitting sixth.

After falling out of the play-off spots, a win for Kelty could see us re-enter the top four depending on other results.  Three points separate Kelty Hearts and fourth place Alloa, with two games in hand to Kelty’s favour.

The Highland side currently occupy the relegation play-off spot and are five points behind 8th place Annan, with a game in hand.  The Caley Jags have been in steady form winning four of their last six, losing the other two.  Last time out they were defeated 3-0 by league leaders Arbroath at Gayfield.

Nothing has been able to split the sides in the two meetings with both ending in a draw.  The first, in Fife, finished 0-0 in a match of few chances.  Up in Inverness it was 1-1, with a stunning Ross Cunningham free-kick cancelling out Luis Longstaff’s opener.  

The New Central Park faithful will recognise Inverness striker Alfie Bavidge, having spent last season in Maroon on loan.  Since moving to the Highlands in January Bavidge has been a standout for Scott Kellacher’s side, scoring in four of his six appearances.  

Previewing the match to Kelty Hearts TV after last week’s loss, Charlie Mulgrew assured fans “we’ll look back and see what we can do better. We need to try and move the ball a bit quicker and we need to defend a bit better.”  

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)