Kelty Hearts defeated League Two Stranraer 3-0 in Saturday’s KDM Evolution Trophy tie. Second half goals from Craig Johnston, Innes Murray and Bailey Campbell stamped a good home performance.

The opening goal came in the 47th minute through Craig Johnston. A lofted pass upfield bounced over to James Graham on the right.  He lifted a cross over to Johnston who was standing free in the centre of the box. The number nine made no mistake with the finish smashing past Lane for his second of the campaign.

Our second of the afternoon came in the 68th minute after a nice team move. Aaron Arnott supplied a perfect through ball to Innes Murray who with just the goalkeeper to beat placed it underneath him for Kelty’s second.

The third came deep into stoppage time and it was a memorable first senior goal for Bailey Campbell. Goalscorer turned provider as Innes Murray spearheaded a counter attack. With options to his left and right, Murray found Campbell to his right. Still with work to do, Campbell squeezed in a near post finish high past Lane to secure all three points for the Maroon Machine.

In a first half of few chances, Kelty Hearts had a couple of opportunities to grab an early goal. Craig Johnston was through on goal after a long ball by Scott Mercer, he noticed goalkeeper Josh Lane off his line and tried the chip – but it was wide of the post.

The result leaves Kelty Hearts ninth in the league phase with Stranraer in 13th. Three games remain with the top 22 in the league progressing to the knockouts. Next in the cup, Kelty travel to the Rock to take on Dumbarton, before visits from St. Mirren B and Hearts B.

Reflecting on the afternoon to Kelty Hearts TV, Thomas O’Ware said “we’re happy to get the win. It’s something the boys deserve after the last few performances. Performance wise, we weren’t happy with the first half but second half it went slightly better. What I asked for was goals and a clean sheet and that’s what they delivered.”

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)