Match Report - By Steven Mew

City will head into Sunday’s second leg at Glebe Park knowing they must overturn a one goal deficit to preserve their SPFL status following a narrow defeat against Kelty Hearts yesterday evening.

A Kelty side packed with considerable SPFL experience bossed much of the opening 45, however City settled more into it as the game wore on.

Having rested a number of key players in the final league match of the season a fortnight ago, it meant there were wholesale changes to the starting 11 with Hutton, McIntosh, Page, Barr, Osman and McKee all returning.

In front of 250 home supporters, Kelty started brightly with Dylan Easton’s cross flashing across the face of goal with top-scorer Nathan Austin just unable to connect. Shortly before the quarter hour mark, Ross Philp turned his man before flashing a shot just wide of the far post.

The home side continued to threaten and it perhaps came as no surprise when they opened the scoring after 16 minutes. Nathan Austin wriggled away from Jonathan Page to chase down a long ball upfield and despite being denied by a fine save from Hutton, the ball rebounded out to KALLUM HIGGINBOTHAM who stroked into the empty net.

Back came City however, with Rory Currie firing a volley over from the edge of the box and on 22 minutes, Michael Paton’s men dragged themselves level.

It was one straight from the training ground as Bobby Barr placed his corner low into the box for Chris McKee – with his strike being diverted into the net by JONATHAN PAGE for his first goal of the season.

The Fifers’ looked to get themselves back in front with Hutton getting down well to save a dipping volley from Thomas Reilly. Shortly after, home skipper Michael Tidser saw his free kick curl just wide of the right hand post.

City were forced into a substitution after 36 minutes with Yusuf Hussain sustaining what appeared to be a groin injury after making a clearance. He was unable to continue, with Gregor Jordan taking his place in the heart of the defence.

Just as it looked like the sides would go in level at the break, Kelty got their noses back in front on the stroke of half time. Dylan Easton played a clever reverse pass into the path of CAMMY RUSSELL who timed his run to perfection before sliding the ball below Hutton.

Barely a minute into the second half, Kelty came close to doubling their advantage. Goalscorer Kallum Higginbotham tried his luck with an audacious volley from range however Hutton, on his 36th birthday, produced an outstanding reaction save that defied his years.

Five minutes later, the ball fell kindly for Kieran Inglis inside the box however he was denied by Jamieson who was quickly off his line to block.

Shortly before the hour mark, Inglis again called the home custodian into action when his deflected strike from range was pushed away for a corner.

Back came the hosts with Ross Philp, Nathan Austin and Dylan Easton all coming close as they craved a more comfortable scoreline going into the second leg at Glebe Park.

With 14 minutes remaining, Michael Paton added fresh legs to the front line with Rory Currie making way for Hamilton loanee Sean Slaven.

Kelty continued to plug away in the closing stages of the game but never really looked like adding to their advantage against a stubborn City defence.

Despite the defeat, Michael Paton’s side will be relatively content going into the second leg at Glebe Park on Sunday where, for the first time in over 14 months, the City faithful will be present spurring them on.