The Maroon Machine are back in league action as Peterhead make the journey south to New Central Park.  With news of Hamilton’s further points deduction, Kelty Hearts have the chance to close the gap to the bottom spot.

Kelty Hearts will be hoping to build on a spirited performance against Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup.  It took until the 75th minute for the Championship side to break the deadlock as the Pars progressed to the quarter final.

Moving back to league action, Kelty Hearts are three points behind ninth placed Hamilton Accies.  Peterhead sit sixth in the league table and are six points away from Alloa in the final promotion play-off spot.

Kelty Hearts will have to be wary of the league’s second top scorer Kieran Shanks, who has ten goals in 22 games.  Thomas O’Ware’s side will be bolstered with the second debut of Ross Cunningham, who arrived back at the club after spending half of the season at Stirling Albion.

Additionally, Dylan Corr and Sam Fisher could return to the squad after missing out last week due to being cup-tied and playing against their parent club.

The games between Kelty and Peterhead have been tight but ultimately fell into the Blue Toon’s favour.  The Balmoor Stadium side came out on top 2-1 at New Central Park, and found a late winner despite a two-goal comeback in Aberdeenshire.  

Previewing the match to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware is expecting “a really tough match.  They’re so well organised and have had a great first half of the season.  But we need to be up for the game and we need to replicate the performance we put in in the cup in the league.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)