Kelty Hearts secured a 2-0 win at Galabank Stadium against Annan Athletic.  Two goals in two minutes from Scott Williamson and Connor Allan saw the Maroon Machine take a controlled victory.

Scott Williamson scored his sixth league goal of the season to give Kelty the lead in the 26th minute.  The ball broke to Kelty after good pressing from Craig Johnston, eventually Brody Paterson fired in a cross from deep.  The cross was deflected out by an Annan defender but only as far as Williamson, who fired past a helpless goalkeeper into the top corner.  

The Maroon Machine would not have to wait long to double their lead.   From an Annan corner, Kelty broke on the counter with Lewis Moore sliding through Williamson.  The forward darted into the box and held up play while Allan made a late run to the back post.  Williamson found Allan with a clever pass and the Rangers loanee bundled home for his first Kelty Hearts goal.

Annan had an early chance to take the lead which was the closest the Galabankies came to scoring.  Player/manager Wullie Gibson won the ball back after slack play at the back from Kelty Hearts, Gibson rushed into the box but his shot from close range was blasted over the bar.

Kelty came close to a third when Craig Johnston again created a chance from his pressing.  The striker won the ball back down the right and created a good chance for Williamson with a cut-back.  There was time for the Queen’s Park loanee to pick his spot but the effort was straight at the goalkeeper Jamie Smith.

Reflecting on the 90 minutes, manager Michael Tidser believes “we got our goals at a good time.  I said at half-time even though we were 2-0 up, I wasn’t happy with the performance.  I just re-emphasised the point about how we play since the game was a bit scrappy, but when we did play I thought we did well.  We defended really well as a team in our units…it was a professional performance.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)