Clyde v Kelty Hearts

Recap

Clyde’s miserable run of form extended into 2023 as Kelty Hearts left New Douglas Park with all three points despite playing the majority of the game with ten men.

Jim Duffy made two enforced changes with Steven Thicot and Paul Kennedy replacing the injured Brian McLean and Ray Grant, with Ross Cunningham returning to the bench after recovering from his ankle injury.

Euan Cameron had a chance in the opening minutes after some tenacious work by Liam Scullion winning back possession but he curled an effort over the bar from the edge of the box.

The visitors opened the scoring after just four minutes when a cross was whipped into the six-yard box and Thomas O’Ware nipped in to tap home.

Scullion and Jordan Allan combined twice in a minute but the former couldn’t take either chance, dragging his shot wide firstly then seeing his second effort deflected behind.

Ross Lyon then sent a cross into the box which Scullion met. His shot was blocked and the rebound from Roberts went over.

The visitors were reduced to ten men midway through the first half after a long punt up field bounced over the Kelty defence and Allan was through on goal, only to be tugged back by Lewis Martin, who was shown a straight red card.

Ross Cunningham made his return from injury at the interval and it took him just 12 minutes to get on the scoresheet. Lyon sent Allan down the wing and he cut the ball back to Cunningham, who fired beyond Jamieson.

The game was becoming stretched in the closing stages and both sides had chances; McDonald was crowded out by defenders and saw his shot trickle wide whilst at the other end Kelty countered through Alfredo Agyeman but Thicot took the sting out of his shot, before the visitors hit the bar from a corner.

With five minutes remaining Kelty were awarded a penalty after Thicot made a clumsy foul on Barjonas in the box. Kyle Doherty stepped up and put his spot kick out of the reach of Parry,

Clyde mustered one chance in the remaining minutes through Allan but his header came off the underside of the bar, and over the head of McDonald who couldn’t meet the rebound.