Kennoway Star Hearts 0 Dundonald Bluebell 3
After last week`s heavy defeat by Camelon the home side had a Fife derby to look forward to as Dundonald Bluebell were the visitors.
Rocked by a pre match injury to top goal scorer Mathew Gay in the warm up, it saw Bryce come into the attack with loan signing Mutch starting on the bench.
A promising start from KSH as they passed the ball with confidence and a belief that was not evident the previous week. The Bluebell were up for the battle though as they contested every tackle and aerial dual with a physicality that was testing the referee`s leniency at times.
The home side had two corners in quick succession but the towering Wedderburn was manfully holding things together for the `Bell.
A familiar occurrence over the season soon raised it`s head. Just when the home support were settling into watching their team dominate the ball they saw a goal conceded on the ninth minute. From a Kennoway attack a few passes caught out the home defence when a cross from the left was blasting home by McKenzie. A clinical finish and despite the early promise KSH a goal down.
However KSH stuck to their game plan and after the early loss they were soon back in control in terms of possession but not a lot in terms of chances.
Captain Chris Gay was enjoying the challenge of a thrilling midfield battle and he saw a shot saved as the hosts tried to grab an equaliser.
The pace of Craig was also a constant menace and two Bluebell players were cautioned for halting his progress with crude fouls.
The large away support were voicing their frustration as Kennoway continued to have the bulk of the play.
With seven minutes of the half remaining a hopeful free kick launched into the penalty area from the half way line saw a mix up in the Kennoway defence and Wilson scored with ease.
A half that produced a lot of decent football from the home side but no reward. Ultimately defensive errors leaving them with a two goal deficit. HT 0-2
One thing you can say about the match as the second half started both team`s were enjoying playing against each other with several players from either side close friends,and the support of both teams were happy in their own way. KSH for the vast improvement of the way they were playing and also for the camaraderie that was on show from the previous week. The Bluebell for the strength of the defensive set up and the efficiency of taking their chances.
The half saw a similar theme. Home side again looking the more dominant with the ball but try as they might they could not get the goal their general play deserved.
A strong run from Bryce saw the striker foiled by a save by Lennox. Two minutes later the high pressing game for KSH nearly paid off when the reliable Wedderburn saw a clearance land at the feet of Collins, with the `keeper stranded off his goal the young KSH midfielder saw his effort from distance miss the target.
Shaw started to cause some panic in the Bluebell right hand side of their defence and again a succession of fouls on the winger saw Durie then Walton booked as they decided a "thou shall not pass" by any means was the order of the day.
Recent loan signing from East Fife Ross Mutch was then introduced to the play. Almost immediately the young striker was showing his pace and power as he was denied a chance by a last gasp tackle again by Wedderburn.
On the sixty seventh minute it was game over as another defensive mistake saw a poor clearance from a header gift Wilson his second goal of the game. This showed the clinical way the away side played and it is the sign of a strong mentality when they can grind out results despite not being at their most dominant.
The last twenty minutes saw a much more open game with chances from either side. A Craig shot was easily held by Lennox and at the other end Paterson denied Smith . FT 0-3
Team : Paterson McGowan Partridge Rolland Band Craig C.Gay Muir Shaw Collins Bryce Subs: Mutch McAllister Young
