25/08/2026
Kelty Hearts FC 2-4 Clydebank FC
The group stage of the Challenge Cup throws up some interesting fixtures as rubbish as Clyde v St Mirren B, Cumbernauld Colts v Kilmarnock B and Hamilton v Edinburgh City sounds, there are cool sounding games like Ross County v Banks o'Dee, Formartine v Montrose and tonight's viewing Kelty Hearts v Clydebank.
This, perhaps surprisingly, is not the first meeting between the sides. A 1-0 victory for the Fifers at Yoker in a Junior Cup tie in November 2015. This is one of the few fixtures in Scottish football where both sides will be younger than some of the attendees. Kelty founded in 1975 and Clydebank were reformed in 2003.
Having parked up in the community centre and walked all the way round to the only entrance to find out the kick off has been delayed fifteen minutes. Will be late home for the Bankies on a school night!
Kelty finally got us underway at 8pm. The opening chance fell to the League 2 side, there was a mix up in the Bankies defence and Callum Higginbotham has the whole goal to aim at but blasted over the bar. Kelty took the lead in the 8th minute. A ball through to the pacy Finn Moffat who took the ball wide but had the composure to finish well past Owen Stott in the Clydebank goal. Clydebank did not crumble however and a great run from right back Szymon Walczak was only denied a superb equaliser after a brilliant save from Adamson in the Kelty goal. The 14th minute saw Clydebank continue to press and Nicky Little, fresh from his testimonial, produced a fine save from Adamson from a header. Moffat again caused problems for Clydebank. Linking up with Higginbotham to win Kelty a corner. Kelty won three further corners in quick succession but Ciaran Mulcahy was there to clear.
The twenty second minute saw an equaliser for Clydebank. Good work from Josh Jack on the right saw the ball flashed across goal and Mulcahy in a more natural position equalised with a delicious back heal. When you watch a lot of football with less of an interest in the game you realise that most referees are fine, not brilliant but fine. Their reputation is not helped when they flag, correctly, for offside but the freekick is taken in the attacking teams half. An impossibility in the laws of the game. Clydebank were close to taking the lead in the 36th minute. Nicky Low saw his shot blocked and the ball fell to left back Osian McHugh who blasted the ball towards goal and was well parried by Adamson. As often happens in football, Clydebank's pressure was met by a Kelty goal on the counter. A ball through to Higginbotham, that did look offside, was beautifully chipped over Stott and the hosts were back ahead. The last chance of an eventful first half came with a Josh Jack free kick in from the right but, not for the first time, Clydebank were offside from the ball in.
Clydebank got us back underway and started the second half well. They deservedly equalised after 53 minutes. Great work from Little threw the ball across goal and Chris McGowan smashing the ball home. Clydebank nearly went immediately ahead as the ball was again fizzed across but the keeper got a finger to it to put it out for a corner. The hour mark saw Clydebank well on top. A few desperate challenges from Kelty leading to bookings. A quieter second half after the goal but Clydebank had an excellent chance with twenty to go. The ball played across and was flicked by left back James Grant agonisingly wide. The defender was to be rewarded, with the game starting to stretch however. Clydebank's going for the three points, allowed the ball to fall to Grant on the edge of the six yard box and he rifled home. Frustration built in the hosts. Conceding possession for a foul throw and giving Clydebank loads of time on the ball. Clydebank were by far the better team in the closing stages. They almost scored a fourth when a looping shot deceived Adamson but hit the bar and then the post. Clydebank were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area giving Josh Jack a chance to cap his great performance with a goal, and my word did he take it! A superb strike left Adamson helpless and wrapped up the game for a Clydebank side who seem to have found their feet after a slow start to their Lowland League West Campaign.
It would be remiss of me not to shoehorn Kirkcaldy & Dysart in there somewhere. Kelty's left back was Callum Hannah. His transfer to Raith Rovers in 2023 saw the arrangement of a friendly as part of the deal that saw over five hundred folk at Denfield. I fully expect you all back for the Kennoway game tomorrow!
Third time at Kelty. Both other times it has been so cold you couldn't take it in. Not quite 2000 people at a Kelty v Cowden Derby in a snowstorm but still a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Kelty have made a superb job of New Central Park. Making it comfortably league standard but keeping the old East of Scotland charm.
