Kelty Hearts travel south to Dumfries to take on league leaders Queen of the South in an early vital game.  A win for the Maroon Machine will see us leapfrog our opponents and potentially end the afternoon at the top of the table.

Last season Kelty had the best of the Doonhamers, going unbeaten in their last four meetings.  These include two wins at Palmerston Park, notably a 2-1 win with Lewis Moore and Craig Johnston on the scoresheet.

Queen of the South are unbeaten in their last three matches and have not lost at Palmerston Park this season.  Peter Murphy’s side have the best defence in the league and are the only side to have won four matches.

Amongst Queens’ squad is last season’s players’ player of the year and captain Reece Lyon.  Midfielder Lewis O’Donnell will also be familiar to the Kelty Hearts faithful having spent last season on loan at New Central Park from Dundee United.

Kelty Hearts will be hoping to build on a positive result and performance last time out against Annan.  A 3-0 win secured all three points with Lewis Moore putting in a man of the match display which saw him in the SPFL Team of the Week.  

Jacob MacIntyre could make his debut for Kelty, having joined on loan from Hibs until January.  He could play against his brother Oscar MacIntyre who plays as full-back for the Doonhamers.

Michael Tidser spoke to Kelty Hearts TV about the upcoming tough away fixtures “nothing changes.  There’s no secrets with the way we play – we try and secure possession and play quicker, it’s important we keep working on it.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)