We take a short(ish) drive (Just over 20 miles) back over the Forth to the 3G MX pitch on Bath Street to play Kelty Hearts ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelty_Hearts_F.C. ) on a cool (13C) drizzly mid-August afternoon. Kelty lost the first league game 1-0 Away to Dalbeattie Star and we will be looking to make that 2 losses out of 2. the season preview has newly promoted Kelty 3-1 for the league, favourites to finish 2nd so this should be a tough first Away game. Also looking at the scouting they seem to have slightly more depth so we will see how we get on.
We go with our 4141 DM Wide Control (Pretty sure I’ll do this on nearly every league game).
The only changes from Match Day 1 is Newall back in at Left back, Mair moving up to AMR and newly-signed loanee Barras coming in as an Inside Forward on the right for Alieau Faye, who is on the bench. As Barras can play on either side we have a fair bit of flexibility which is superb. Without further ado here are the Comprehensive Highlights of the 1st Half.
HT – Kelty Hearts 0 Strollers 1 (Barras 13)
A really strong first half, almost total dominance and a real shame it wasn’t more than 1-0. The goal itself was lovely though, with a quick free kick from Newall leading to a beautiful far post cross for the If Barras to stick away with a nicely timed half-volley.
65% possession, 87% pass completion a happy boy Andy makes 🙂 Andy Mair again having a very solid game, very happy the way he and Craig Newall are working together on the left, I don’t get that feeling on the right. that said Tom Kelly does get up and down very well. I am finding though that Newall seems to have trouble getting the cross out past the opposition rush, but we are getting a good few corners that way.
FT – Kelty Hearts 0 Strollers 1 (Barras 13) – Att 99 (12 Away)
Pretty much the same as the first half, sans a goal. About 80% more passes completed than Kelty, who never really looked like getting a goal. They had a few chances later on, only to be caught offside by our custodians of the deep Waugh & McConnell. Solid if not spectacular, but definitely going in the right direction before our Home game against 3-2 favourites for the league East Kilbride, who are also 2 wins for 2 after today’s round of matches. First real test of the save coming up.