Kelty Hearts came out on top in a huge clash at the bottom of the League One table by beating Hamilton 2-1. Goals from Arran Pettifer and Ross Cunningham clinched all three important points despite Oli Shaw’s equaliser on the stroke of half time.
The Maroon Machine were well on top in the first half and enjoyed a lot of possession. The breakthrough eventually came in the 34th minute with a good move down the left. Sam Fisher made a marauding run and found Innes Murray in acres of space, he drilled in a cross across the face of goal to Pettifer who fired home.
Despite Kelty’s dominance, the Accies would go into the break on level terms. In a rare lapse of concentration, Dylan Corr’s header back to Kyle Gourlay was misplaced leaving Oli Shaw with an open net to bring Hamilton level.
Kelty Hearts didn’t let the disappointment of being pegged back before the break and started the second half with intention of getting back ahead. The goal came three minutes after the restart with Ross Cunningham’s second goal since returning to the club. Lewis Moore teed up Cunningham who from the edge of the box fired a powerful strike beyond Josh Lane.
Kyle Gourlay was called into action and produced two huge saves. The first came quickly after Pettifer’s goal – getting down well to keep out Steven Bradley’s free-kick from the bottom corner. The second came as Kelty were holding onto their 2-1 lead, from a corner Gourlay reacted quickly to keep out Shaw’s header.
Kelty worked hard defensively to keep Hamilton at bay, the hosts were limited in terms of goal mouth action. The Maroon Machine had other chances to score throughout the game; Ross Cunningham saw his free-kick dip onto the roof of the net and Luke McCarvel’s cut-back deflected off Lee Kilday onto the wrong side of the post.
Reflecting on the win to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware was full of praise for his side saying “we deserved it. In the second half, to go out and do it under the pressure we had – I’m delighted. To a man I thought we were excellent. The resilience and character from the players at half-time, I knew they were going to give everything.”
Written by: Jamie Szmitz
Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)