The Maroon Machine suffered a 2-0 defeat at Ochilview to high-flying Stenhousemuir.  Ross Taylor fired the hosts ahead just seven minutes in, before Matty Aitken secured all three points with eight minutes left of the 90.

Stenhousemuir took the lead in the seventh minute through an emphatic finish by Taylor.  A cross from the left found Taylor at the edge of the box, the winger took it down well, turned and hooked a volley past Kyle Gourlay who had no chance.

All three points were clinched when the Warriors doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute.  Ollie Simpson floated in a dangerous cross from deep which Taylor brought down.  He managed to find Matty Aitken in the box who prodded past Gourlay.   

The hosts came close to another goal in the first half from a set-piece.  A corner was swung into the box which was glanced goalwards by Euan O’Reily, but Gourlay was equal with a great save.

Kyle Gourlay had a busy afternoon in between the sticks for Kelty.  He was forced into two big saves in the second half, one to stop a free header from Buchanan and another to parry out Taylor’s free-kick.

The best chance of the game for Kelty Hearts fell to Lewis Moore.  From a corner, the hosts failed to clear the danger and Moore found space to drill in a shot low to the near post.  Unfortunately, the effort ended up hitting the side netting.

Reflecting on the afternoon to Kelty Hearts TV, manager Thomas O’Ware admitted “I didn’t think there was much in the game.  The most disappointing thing was the two goals we conceded.  The main thing is the concentration and that’s why we lost the game… you can’t win games when we lose goals like that.”  

Written by: Jamie Szmitz

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)