Kelty Hearts kicked off the game and immediately went on the attack driving down the left wing, the Peterhead defence were switched on well and defended the situation comfortably. Kelty didn’t have to wait long for another chance when Nicky Low found himself awarded a free kick. His left footed effort around the wall was well saved by Tom Ritchie. Nicky Low had another chance soon after when he ran across the middle of the park, he reversed his shot with his left foot but dragged the shot wide. Peterhead had weathered the early strong attack well and got on top of the game just after. An attempted lob by Andrew McCarthy found its way into Darren Jamieson’s hands. The first effort for the Blue Toon of the game seemed to galvanise the team. In the 9th minute a fantastic chance was created when the ball was driven down the left wing and then stood up to back post. Unfortunately, Danny Strachan couldn’t get a good connection and the ball trickled back to Jamieson.
On 14 minutes there was an incident that could have had a huge impact on the game. Jason Brown was too strong for Kallum Higginbotham, Kallum felt he was fouled but there didn’t look like there was too much in it. While on the ground Kallum kicked out at Jason’s face, the referee saw the incident and decided wagging his finger would suffice on this occasion. Peterhead carried on in a more dominant fashion in the middle portion of the game. A great cross to Jack Wilkie at the back post was headed wide. Then a free kick thrown into the box was knocked down by a Peterhead player, but unfortunately the ball couldn’t fall to a Peterhead player in the box. The last effort of the first half was a Peterhead one. A very speculative effort from Jordon Brown who had his back to goal ended up just off target.
It was a positive start to the game and the first half was quite even over the piece.
Half Time – Kelty Hearts FC 0 Peterhead FC 0
Peterhead made the one change at half time with Max Gillies coming on to replace Enock Walusimbi at right back. Unfortunately, the second half didn’t start as positively as the first half had ended. Peterhead conceded in the 46th minute when Kelty got the ball back quickly after the start of the second half and managed to force a corner. The ball in from the corner was right on top of Tom Ritchie and met by Thomas O’Ware, who bulleted his header home from around 2 yards. Ritchie had no chance to make a save. This setback didn’t deter the Peterhead players and in the 53rd they created a chance where the ball was down the right wing with Julien Carre. Julien overcooked his cross and unfortunately missed everyone in the box. A handful of minutes later Peterhead had another chance to equalise when a corner was whipped in from the right and fell to Andrew McCarthy. McCarthy just couldn’t get the right connection on his shot to trouble the Kelty goal.
The referee booked both Andrew McDonald and Kelty’s Jordon Forster for a coming together following a corner. A promising attack down the left wing in the 68th minute saw a great cross from Jack Wilkie into the box that just couldn’t find Russell McLean to control the ball. Russell had come off the bench on his return from injury for the first time since April. On the 82nd mark the comeback became more unlikely when Peterhead conceded a penalty. Andrew McDonald dangled a leg out trying to intercept the ball and Kelty’s Nathan Austin fell over the outstretched leg. McDonald received a second booking and a red card in the aftermath of the decision. Nicky Low stepped up for Kelty and calmly tucked the penalty away.
Peterhead pushed to get a goal back and kept the work rate high in the quest to get a goal. Committing players forward in an attempt get a goal back ended up being costly in added time. Kelty Hearts broke away following a Peterhead attack and a cross to the back post to Alfredo Agyeman’s right footed strike was deflected off Jack Wilkie into the Peterhead goal beyond Ritchie.
Full Time – Kelty Hearts FC 3 Peterhead FC 0
A frustrating score line that flattered the hosts, but plenty of positives to take away in terms of performance. The side now has a free Saturday next week allowing the new management team a few training sessions to work with the players. The next League One game is at home to 9th placed Clyde at Balmoor on Saturday 17th December 2022 kicking off at 1500.