Kelty hearts fell to a 3-5 defeat against Heart of Midlothian B at New Central Park on Tuesday evening, despite a much improved second half display in Micheal Tidser’s first game back in charge.

Tidser appeared in the Kelty dugout for the first time since January 2025, without a chance of taking a training session prior to the match, having only been appointed ahead of Tuesday night’s KDM Evolution trophy encounter.

The visitors made a strong start and opened the scoring after just 8 minutes through Jaedon Donkor. Hearts B soon doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Angus Stevenson found the net, before Donkor grabbed his second on the half-hour mark to put the visitors three goals ahead. 

Kelty responded almost immediately as Innes Murray pulled one back in the 31st Minute, giving the Maroon Machine a route back into the contest. However, Hearts were quick to hold onto their three goal advantage in the first-half stoppage time as Donkor completed his hat-trick to send the visitors into the half 4-1 up. 

Kelty emerged for the second half with a much-improved performance, but Hearts struck again five minutes later after the restart, Euan Glasgow getting in on the act.

Despite the scoreline, Kelty dug their feet in and continued to push forward and were rewarded by a header from Gordon Walker who got on the end of a Ross Cunningham cross which reduced the deficit to three.

The hosts continued to show considerably more promise whilst attacking and grew as a threat as the half progressed, with Matthew Falconer and Innes Murray the stand outs. 

Innes Murray grabbed his second of the evening with 11 minutes remaining making it 5-3 and giving Kelty some late hope. Unfortunately the Maroon Machine  were unable to find the additional required goals to complete the comeback.

The result leaves Kelty six points from their four KDM Evolution trophy fixtures.

Written by: Ellis Lowe

Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)