It was a quick turnaround for Peterhead in their Premier Sports League Cup campaign with a trip down to New Central Park to face League 1 outfit Kelty Hearts. Fresh off the back of a 1-0 win against Premiership opposition in the form of Hibernian, the hosts were looking to take command of group C, whilst Peterhead were out to continue their momentum from a battling 4-2 win against Elgin City. Co-managers Ryan Strachan and Jordon Brown made four changes to their starting eleven with Blessing Oluyemi, Scott Ross, Jack Brown and Rory McAllister replacing Stuart McKenzie, Dylan Forrest, Seb Ross and Ben Armour.
The hosts started as the brighter of the two teams and forced Oluyemi into action, Lewis Moore’s effort looked to be heading in as he squeezed it under the Peterhead stopper but he recovered to clear the ball from the line. This chance was the catalyst that sparked the Blue Toon into life with Peterhead going on to dominate the rest of the half. Cieran Dunne and McAllister linked up with the latter being played through on goal but his effort was over the bar. The Peterhead pressure paid off shortly after as they won the ball high up the park and Andy McCarthy played it out wide to Max Barry. Barry cut inside and fired a rocket into the far corner, leaving Kelty ‘keeper Ryan Adamson rooted to the spot – his first goal for the club. Barry then had a chance to double his tally shortly after, once again the Peterhead press causing “The Maroon Machine” all sorts of bother with the ball falling to Barry just inside the box but his effort cracked against the crossbar.
Half Time: Kelty Hearts 0-1 Peterhead
The second half once again began with Peterhead on the front foot. Several crosses were flashed across goal with McAllister not quite getting on the end of any. Barry did get on the end of one and produced a half volley which whistled wide of the post. A rare Kelty Hearts attack ended with Craig Johnston heading over the bar before Callum Flatman was cautioned for hauling down Cieran Dunne with the Peterhead forward looking through on goal – a real let off for the hosts. The final 15 minutes were played out with Kelty Hearts playing long balls but the resilient Peterhead defence comfortably dealt with the threat, with Ben Armour nearly doubling the visitor’s advantage with a late chance which he fired over.
Full Time: Kelty Hearts 0-1 Peterhead
Goal: Max Barry (27’)
Starting XI: Oluyemi, Goldie, Jason Brown, Scott Ross, Armstrong, McCarthy (Forrest 57’), Pawlett, Jack Brown, Barry (Seb Ross 67’), Dunne (Ward 81’), McAllister (Armour 67’)
