The Maroon Machine were defeated 3-1 by Hamilton Academical in Cumbernauld. The hosts took the lead early on through Oli Shaw, before Craig Johnston equalised before the break. Second half goals from Shaw again and Kevin O’Hara were enough for the Accies to clinch all three points.

The opening goal came just six minutes in and it was Accies talisman Shaw the scorer. A ball down the right unleashed Stuart McKinstry who drilled a cross into Shaw who fired past Kyle Gourlay.

Kelty Hearts went level in the 25th minute through Craig Johnston.  Neat play down the right saw Lewis Moore take a good touch in the box and find Ricco Diack.  The striker could only tee up his partner who took a touch and slammed a finish into the back of the net.

Hamilton retook the lead in the 53rd minute thanks to the league’s top scorer Oli Shaw.  From a free-kick Steven Bradley delivered a deep cross from the left onto the head of Shaw who diverted it into the top corner.

Similarly to the second goal, Hamilton’s third came from another deep cross to the back post from Bradley.  This time forward Kevin O’Hara was on the end of it, nodding past Gourlay to secure the win for the hosts.  

Before the break Kelty had the ball in the back of the net through Johnston once more, but it was ruled offside.  Moore set up James Graham to run onto a shot on the edge of the box and fire goalwards.  The shot was saved by Jamie Smith but only parried to Johnston, who was in an offside position.

Thomas O’Ware was dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time when Jack Brydon was forced off with an injury.  

Reflecting on the match to Kelty Hearts TV, O’Ware said “it’s a hard one because I thought we were excellent for an hour.  We showed a great reaction to get an equaliser… I thought we ended the first half as the better team.  Overall the game is lost in both boxes.  It’s difficult to criticise the team because of how much effort we put into it.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)