Match Report

Saturday, 23rd September, 2023

by Ross Hart

Bairns hit five to win at New Central Park

KELTY HEARTS slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season so far as an impressive Falkirk romped to victory at New Central Park.

Michael Tidser's side lost their third League One match of the season as John McGlynn's team, one of the pre-season title favourites, showcased their credentials in front of the BBC Alba television cameras.

Liam Henderson's header from Brad Spencer's corner, in just the second minute, set the tone for the evening as Falkirk went on to surge into a three-goal lead in little more than half an hour.

Callumn Morrison doubled their advantage from close range, before he added a third from the penalty spot, after he had been deemed to have been fouled by Tam O'Ware.

Lewis O'Donnell's fine volley from the edge of the box, with what was a rare Kelty attempt on goal, reduced the arrears right on half-time to give Tidser's team hope.

However, try as they might, they couldn't make any inroads towards their opponents' goal, and late efforts from Ross MacIver and Aidan Nesbitt sealed victory - just a second over Kelty in five meetings - for the visitors, who returned to the top of the table on goal difference.

Kelty could have moved into fourth spot with a victory, but instead fall to seventh place, two points above ninth-placed Cove, and the same number behind Stirling Albion in fourth.

Earlier in the day, Kelty announced the signing of teenage forward, Alfie Bavidge, on loan from Aberdeen and he was immediately handed his debut.

He was one of three changes to the starting line-up from the side that drew at Cove Rangers last week, and was joined by fellow new loan recruit, Fergus Owens, who arrived from Hamilton Academical midweek.

Jamie Walker also returned in defence, with the experienced Jason Thomson - who Tidser described earlier in the week as being "probably our best player" so far this season - out through suspension after being sent off at the Balmoral Stadium.

Adam Corbett, who netted Kelty's opener, missed out completely - Tidser had said he had picked up a knock - as did Botti Biabi, but there were welcome returns to bench for Craig Johnston and Lewis Moore.

John McGlynn's Bairns arrived with five wins and a draw from their first six games, and were looking to return to the top, level on points with Hamilton, who defeated Queen of the South earlier in the day.

He named an unchaged side that defeated Queens late on, with Alfie Agyeman, who left New Central Park in the summer for the Falkirk Stadium, amongst their substitutes.

The visitors were backed by a sizeable, and boisterous, support and they were cheering after just two minutes as their side took the lead.

Spencer, who scored their winner last week, swung in an excellent corner from the left and Henderson, unchallenged, was able to power a header into the net beyond the helpless Kyle Gourlay.

It was a poor goal from a Kelty defensive viewpoint, and the worst possible start, which son got worse less than halfway through the half.

Although Reece Lyon sent their first effort over, after good work from Billy Owens down the right, Kelty conceded a spot-kick in the 18th minute when O'Ware was deemed to have felled Morrison, who appeared to completely miss his kick when the ball was played to him.

The home skipper was booked as he led the protests, but referee, Iain Snedden, was unmoved, and Morrison took the kick himself, sending Gourlay the wrong way to double Falkirk's lead.

It was a blow for the hosts, who then found themselves further behind just after the half hour mark.

A short corner played into the Kelty box wasn't properly cleared. Henderson's shot was saved by Gourlay, but spilled loose, and Morrison, in amongst a crowd of bodies, bundled home from close range.

That seemed to be that, with Morrison going close to a fourth as half-time approached, but Kelty gave themselves a lifeline right on the interval.

Sam Long, in the Falkirk goal, hadn't had a save to make but there was nothing he could do when O'Donnell, after a free-kick was headed out to him at the edge of the box, took a great touch to set up the chance of a volley.

The on-loan Dundee United player's finish was exquisite, finding the top corner to give the hosts some hope.

After the restart, though, McGlynn's team were back on the offensive, with Gourlay producing smart stops from Morrison and MacIver, whilst Tom Lang and Ethan Ross both headed over.

Tiwi Daramola was introduced for Ross Cunningham in a bid to add some pace and creativity to Kelty's attack, but the Bairns continued to look comfortable.

Indeed, only a good block by debutant Fergus Owens prevented Nesbitt scoring a fourth, after he took advantage of a rare poor touch by O'Ware to run in on goal.

However, a fourth goal was merely delayed - and it was almost no surprise that Agyeman played a part in it.

On as a sub, he sent a shot towards the far corner, which Gourlay parried, but only into the path of MacIver, who tapped in from close range.

The Kelty keeper then produced a smart stop from Morrison as the visitors looked for a fifth, who found it moments later when Nesbitt's low effort from around 20 yards hit the net.

Match stats

Kelty Hearts: Gourlay, B. Owens, O'Ware, F. Owens, Walker, Lyon, O'Donnell, Tidser (Johnston 70), Cunningham (Daramola 55), Bavidge (L. Owens 81), McCluskey.

Subs not used: Cameron, Moore, Campbell.

Goal: O'Donnell (45).

Booked: O'Ware (19), Johnston (83).

Falkirk: Long, Lang, McCann, Henderson (Oliver 69), Donaldson, Morrison (Allan 81), Spencer, Nesbitt, Yeats (Bisland 81), MacIver (Lawal 81), Ross (Agyeman 66).

Subs not used: Honeyman, Walker, Sinclair, Hogarth.

Goals: Henderson (2), Morrison (20, pen, 33), MacIver (74), Nesbitt (80).

Booked: Henderson (45), Spencer (83).

Referee: Iain Snedden.

Attendance: 1,128.