TWENTY One East Super League games undefeated and another three points ahead of their nearest challengers, that was Saturday’s reward for Kelty Hearts.

While Bonnyrigg Rose were out of action the Hearts’ match at Camelon went ahead and the kelty boys were convincing winners.

Camelon 0,

Kelty Hearts 3.

SOME excellent play by Kelty earned them a comfortable win in Falkirk and moved them 26 points clear of Bonnyrigg and Boness United and they had to do it with ten men for the most part.

The difference with these two though is that while Rose have seven games in hand they have no room for manoeuvre at all while Boness have four games less played and it is a massive advantage the local side have.

The Camelon pitch had taken a battering by the weather but was perfectly playable and Hearts, with new signing from Berwick Rangers, Jordyn Sheerin in their line-up, were otherwise on the usual lines and made a solid start to the game.

Sheerin was up front with Scott Dalziel and was prominent in the early stages as Hearts looked for an early goal.

Camelon are famed for their worth ethic and defended superbly in this stage of the game and it was clear that Hearts were going to have to work for goals but there was a shock for visiting fans when Stephen Husband was given a straight red card by the referee, on the advice of an assistant, after a midfield joust.

It seemed a bit harsh where a yellow would have done both players but it was the Camelon midfielder who got the amber card.

Brian Ritchie went close as did Murray Carstairs from a corner but Hearts eventually got in front in 37 minutes when the ball was cleverly played in to the box by Sheerin, after a defence splitting Conrad Courts pass, and there was Dalziel to give the visitors the advantage from eight yards out.

Kelty could have added to their tally before the break but the Camelon ‘keeper made two excellent saves.

In the second period Hearts really started to take a grip of the midfield and they got the key second of the game in 53 minutes when Dalziel struck again with a determined finish after the Camelon centre-half and his ‘keeper got in a fankle and the former Cowden striker was able to poke the ball wide of the last line from 10 yards range.

Camelon struggled to get back into the picture but they went close a couple of times, with Kyle Marley making one excellent save, but the third goal from Kelty was a typical Brian Ritchie finish in 89 minutes.

Conrad Courts again was the provider from a good pass on the edge of the box and Ritchie’s 20 yarder flew low into the corner of the net.

It was a fitting way to finish another excellent Kelty performance which stretched the unbeaten league record to 21 matches.

Hearts player/boss Thomas Courts was pleased with the way his team tackled the game: “Camelon are awkward opponents but we did really well after we lost Stephen Husband.

“Jordyn Sheerin came in and did really well and with Scott Dalziel going into hospital this week for an operation he will be an important player for us.

“It was a good all round performance and the chance taken to stretch our lead by another three points.”

The boss indicated that Hearts will appeal Husband’s red card.

Kinnoull 5,

Lochore Welfare 1.

THIS was always going to be a tough assignment for Lochore but they never gave up and it was only in the closing quarter that the North Division promotion challengers ran away from the visitors.

Lochore did well in the opening stages and had a couple of half chances but Kinnoull’s midfield strength saw them start to take command and they went ahead with a neat finish in 18 minutes.

Welfare came back into the game and again might have levelled the game but seven minutes from the break Kinnoull doubled their lead.

This goal settled the home side and they started the second period well and they grabbed a third in 55 minutes but in 74 minutes Lochore deservedly reduced the deficit with a well taken goal from Lewis Thomson.

There was no doubt that Kinnoull were rattled and they had to re-establish themselves and four minutes they re-established their three goal advantage.

Lochore kept working hard and had another couple of chances but with five minutes to go Kinnoull got number five which game them a rather flattering four goal advantage.

Re-run of 1999 final this Saturday

KELTY Hearts will take on the team that edged them out of the 1999 final of the Scottish Junior Cup in Saturday’s fifth round of the Ethx Energy sponsored competition at Central Park.

That day, at Partick Thistle’s Firhill stadium, the Hearts lost 1-0 to Kilwinning Rangers but the home fans will be confident their team can make the last eight.

Rangers have been having a difficult season in the league and are in the lower reaches of the table through in the west while Hearts are 21 Super League games undefeated.

Hearts player/manager, Thomas Courts will be taking nothing for granted though and will be ensuring his team treat this tie with the same organisation and determination which has seen them rack up a 26 point lead at the top of the Super League.

Said the Hearts player/boss: “This is a really exciting tie for the club against the team we played in the 1999 final.

“They had a good win last week and that will have boosted their confidence so it will be a really big test for us.

“There will be another tremendous crowd and it should be a really good contest and while we will be without Scott Dalziel we will have everyone else available so we will be ready to go on Saturday.

“We want to make a real impact on this tournament and hopefully the home fans will turn out in big numbers to roar us on.”

Kilwinning will bring a decent support so while the crowd might not be the same size as the 930 against Hill of Beath in last month’s El Clasico it will still be near four figures.

Saturday’s fixtures: Ethx Energy Scottish Junior Cup fifth round, Kelty Hearts v Kilwinning Rangers.

McBookie.com East Super League, Newtongrange Star v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. The Conservatory Converters Fife and Lothians Cup, Dundonald Bluebell v Musselburgh Athletic.

D J Laing East of Scotland Cup, Lochgelly Albert v Brought Athletic. McBookie.com South Division, Crossgates Primrose v West Calder United. McBookie.com North Division, Scone Thistle v Lochore Welfare (all games 2.15pm).