Match Report

Kelty Hearts lost their record as the only unbeaten senior team in the United Kingdom against a rampant Annan Athletic team where super sub Tony Wallace’s hat trick in a 17 minute spell helped Annan Athletic to romp home 5-1 winners against 10 man Kelty Hearts who had Jordan Foster sent off for a straight red card after an alleged offensive gesture to the Galabank crowd whilst walking off the park at half time.

Kelty started the match on the offensive and in the 7th minute Austin’s effort was cleared off the line by Domnic Docherty. Fleming then pulled off a magnificent save pushing Agyman’s net bound effort effort on to the cross bar. At the other end Lewis Hunter had an opportunity but his effort was well saved by Donaldson.

The opening goal arrived for Kelty in the 36th minute and it was a moment that Steven Swinglehurst will want to forget when the Annan stopper’s poor clearance from the corner flag was picked up by Barron who slipped the ball into the path of Nathan Austin who then guided the ball low and into the corner of the net past the diving Fleming.

Annan worked hard and they squared the match with an outstanding goal created in the middle of the park when Domnick Docherty’s quick one two with Moxon gave the Annan player the room to despatch a glorious volley from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net to give Donaldson no chance.

The drama continued as the players were leaving the field at half time when Jordan Foster was given a straight red card for gesturing to the crowd.

Annan started the second half with a bang when within less than a minute Aiden Smith combined with Michael Garrity who finished a great solo run with a shot from 12 yards which squeezed past the stranded Kelty keeper. It was just the start that Annan had hoped for and the game started to become a lot more predictable with Kelty Hearts prodding for an opening and Annan appearing to hit them on the break .

Tony Wallace was introduced in the 73rd minute and within 3 minutes Wallace struck a crucial goal to give Annan a 2 goal advantage after his initial shot was defended but the ball came back to the feet of Wallace who made no mistake from 10 yards. Lewis Hunter then had a fine shot from outside the box which crashed off the top of the crossbar as Annan continued to press forward.

Michael Garrity who had been a menace all afternoon down the left flank then made a penetrating run to the edge of the box only to be brought down by Michael Tidser and the referee immediately pointed to the spot, with Wallace converting the spot kick sending Donaldson the wrong way.

As the match entered added on time Wallace then concluded a superb 17 minute spell finishing with a low left footed shot into the bottom corner of the net to conclude a fine afternoon for the Annan team .

The defeat brought to an end Kelty’s proud unbeaten run to an end and with another 18 games to play the season is at the half way stage with another 18 games still to play. It was a remarkable match which

ended with Kelty Hearts topping the league at the end of the year and the clear favourites to gain automatic promotion but the victory ensured Annan remain in the top four.