It was a memorable night at New Central Park as Kelty Hearts held Premiership opposition to a goalless draw.  Kelty Hearts would then go on to secure the bonus point in the penalty shootout, with Ryan Adamson the hero.

The shootout was won 4-3 by Kelty Hearts, with Adamson saving the final two Killie penalties.  Innes Murray, Aaron Arnott, Luke McCarvel and Joseph Teasdale all converted for the Maroon Machine, but Adamson was the hero.   From Jamie Brandon’s spot-kick, Adamson dived to his left and kept it out and from Marcus Dackers’ he got down low to his right to parry away the penalty.  

In the 90 minutes, Thomas O’Ware’s side held their own against a strong Kilmarnock team.  The first half saw chances for Kelty to cause an upset, Arnott’s curling effort was just wide and McCarvel’s shot from outside of the box looped on to the roof of the net.  

Kilmarnock did show threat however, with Corrie Ndaba and Marley Watkins both blazing over the bar from close range.  The best chance for the visitors came in the closing stages through substitute Dackers.  Killie’s number nine found space on the edge of the box and fired goalwards but Adamson got down well to push it off the post.  

Kelty Hearts had defended valiantly in the second half and secured a point as well as a clean sheet against the top-flight side.

Speaking to Kelty Hearts TV after the match, O’Ware was “delighted with the performance and result.  In the first half I thought we were excellent, it showed we can compete against top class opposition.  You saw the togetherness, discipline and concentration throughout the 90 minutes.”  

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)