Kelty Hearts were defeated 2-1 by local rivals East Fife in a close-fought Fife derby. The Maroon Machine were outdone by two Andy Munro headers, either side of James Graham’s equaliser.
The Fifers took the lead five minutes before the interval through skipper Andy Munro. From Michael McKenna’s corner, Munro was there at the back post to nod home.
In a first half where Kelty started brightly, it looked as if the hosts had the lead until Graham’s first goal in Maroon. Innes Murray picked up the loose ball in midfield and played through Craig Johnston down the right. The number nine cut back across the face of goal where Graham fired into the roof of the net.
The winner came in the 52nd minute and was once again from a McKenna corner. The looping corner found Munro who leaped the highest, his header bounced in past Corey Armour.
As Kelty Hearts pushed for an equaliser, Graham had a golden chance on the counter but was taken down by Brian Easton. The centre-half wiped out the Kelty winger in a cynical challenge, forcing Dick Campbell’s side to see out the remaining few minutes with ten men.
Both sides had chances to score more goals in the match. For Kelty, a golden chance fell the way of Aaron Arnott with the game still goalless. Graham’s cross was parried out by Ruaridh Adams towards the path of Arnott, but he couldn’t keep his strike under the bar.
For the Fifers, former Kelty man Nathan Austin hit the post from close range. Their best chance fell to Kieran Millar, who with an open net could only drag his shot wide of the post with the game at 1-0.
Reflecting on the afternoon to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware said “in the first half I thought some of our football was superb, but in the second we didn’t play anywhere near that level.
Having said that, we conceded two goals from set pieces which is the disappointing part. Overall, with the work the boys have put into the game, we’ve let ourselves down by not playing how we can play.”
Written by: Jamie Szmitz
Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)