Kelty Hearts 0-3 East Fife – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆William Hill League 1
📍New Central Park
🗓️Saturday 25th October | Kick-off: 3:00pm
East Fife made it three derby wins from three this season, as once more the Fifers overcame Kelty Hearts at New Central Park, this time with a 3-0 scoreline. Despite it being a convincing three points in the end, it was a truly dogged affair, with the hosts on top during the first half.
Kelty should have taken the lead after ten minutes when a cross was fizzed across the East Fife box. Kelty fired a shot goal-bound, before their striker Craig Johnston got in the way of it, preventing what looked to be a certain opener for the hosts.
After half an hour, Matty Rollo, who was making his first league start for the Fifers, was forced into a strong save when Kelty shot from range. Once more it was on target, though Matty was alert to it, denying the hosts once again.
Two minutes later, it looked to be out of East Fife’s hands, as Rollo’s save fell favourably for McCarvel. Somehow, from inside the six-yard box, the Kelty winger missed the target completely with his header and the score remained goalless.
Moments after Kelty missed their sitter at one end, East Fife opened the scoring at the other. McKenna’s cross from the right was on top of goalkeeper Adamson, who spilled it into the path of Kieran Millar. East Fife’s number 4 took the chance to rattle the ball into the back of the net, handing East Fife an advantage which came against the run of play if truth be told.
The second half started in a similar vein to how the first finished, with Kelty the aggressors in the contest, and were awarded a controversial penalty three minutes into the second half. Alas, footballing justice prevailed as Matty Rollo guessed correctly catching Murray’s penalty on the way down. The save proved to be the turning point in the contest and is the catalyst which led to East Fife’s victory in the dark side of Fife.
After 55 minutes, Reis Peggie scored an absolute wonder goal with a header from around 15 yards out. Ewan McLeod lashed his cross in, and the local lad’s glancing header left Kelty with no chance to prevent the goal which doubled East Fife’s advantage.
There was a complete momentum shift, and it was clear to see, as East Fife started to apply more pressure, forcing Adamson into a handful of strong saves.
With five minutes to go, Dick Campbell recognised East Fife’s strong foothold in the game and handed two Under 20s players their professional debut in the derby. Jaiden Fairley and Hayden Wilson made an appearance at New Central Park, with neither looking out of place.
The icing on the cake for the Fifers came in the 92nd minute as Gregor Nicol lashed a left footed effort bent around a sprawled-out Adamson and nestled into the top corner, capping off what was a fantastic result in Kelty.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Matty Rollo
A dream league debut for Matty. Countless crucial saves early doors to weather Kelty’s initial storm, as well as that all important penalty save which without a shadow of a doubt turned the game on its head. Not to mention Matty’s distribution which bailed us out of trouble. A fantastic goalkeeper, with bags of room to grow: A bright, BRIGHT future ahead.
Kelty Hearts – Adamson, Thomas (Teasdale 71’), O’Ware, Carrol, Brydon, Ferguson (McInally 71’), Arnott, Murray, Moore (Young 71’), Johnston, McCarvel (Diack 56’). Subs not used: Armour, Bexfield, Wyllie, Campbell, Leitch.
East Fife – Rollo, McLeod (Nicol 65’), Newton, Munro, Bah, Millar, McManus, Peggie (Fairley 89’), Norey (Slattery 61’), Latona, (Wilson 89’), McKenna. Subs not used: Thomson, Easton, Austin, Jones.
Referee – Connor Ashwood
Attendance – Not announced
