03/08/2018  |  League

Cumbernauld Colts   3  v  2  Kelty Hearts

COLTS claimed a dramatic victory over Lowland League new boys Kelty Hearts in their first home game of the new season.

It was a Friday night football feast at Broadwood with goals from Fraser Team, Stephen O'Neill and Sean Brown claiming maximum points for Colts.

Ciaran Chalmers and Ian Nimmo replied for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough for the Fifers who proved they'll be a great addition to the Lowland League this season.

Colts had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead inside 3 minutes when Team raced clear but the strikers low shot was well saved by visiting keeper Scott Christie.

But Team made amends in 13 minutes when a Colts breakaway saw Ritchie Kirwan charge down the right wing and slide an inviting low cross into the box where Team tucked a low shot under Christie to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Kelty reacted well and almost levelled in 15 minutes but Matty Gay watched in agony as his deflected shot flew narrowly over the bar.

Then at the other end in 19 minutes Brown found space on the right and picked out O'Neill at the back post but the winger’s low shot didn't trouble Christie.

And in 27 minutes Team had another great chance inside the six yard box when he was found by Craig Holmes, but the striker could only flick the ball into Christie's arms.

The game was now wide open and racing from end to end, and in 35 minutes Chalmers went close for the visitors with a header and then Ritchie went even closer with a low drive but Jordan Pettigrew made a great low save.

However, Kelty were rewarded for their persistence on the stroke of half time when a corner from Gay was powerfully headed past Pettigrew at the far post by Chalmers.

Colts began the second period brightly and Kieran Coleman should have put Colts back in front in 52 minutes, but the midfielder blasted over the bar from 6 yards when it seemed easier to score.

But it was Kelty who edged in front against the run of play just after the hour mark when a sweeping moved was finished superbly by Nimmo, who rifled an unstoppable low volley from the edge of the box past Pettigrew.

Kelty dominated for a period after their second goal, but Colts fought their way back into the game and in 77 minutes the hosts drew level. Brown out muscled Mackenzie on the left side of the box and drew Christie off his line before squaring the ball for O'Neill at the back post who rolled the ball into the empty net.

It was now anyone's game as both teams chased the winner with Team going close for Colts and then Ritchie sent a header crashing against the Colts cross bar for the visitors.

But the drama wasn't finished and Colts won the game in 90 minutes when Holmes delivered an inch perfect corner to the back post and Brown made no mistake rising to bullet a header past Christie.

The game was a great advert for the Lowland League and a well deserved three points for Colts who now focus on next week's trip to Civil Service Strollers.

Kelty Hearts; Christie, Ford, Mackenzie, Carstairs, Douglas, Chalmers, Nimmo, Husband, Ritchie, Gay, Philp. Subs; Gibb, Gay, Courts, Cargill, Hare, Dalziel, Kelly.