Kennoway have home comforts

Kieran Band celebrating in style after his second goal.

Kennoway Star Hearts were hoping home advantage would be important as, yet again, player absence was causing concern with no fewer than seven missing from the match day squad.

A positive start saw Doig almost open the scoring when his header grazed the top of the crossbar in the opening few minutes.

Bathgate grabbed the lead when a thrown in was taken quickly, a crossing opportunity saw a deep ball played into the far right of the penalty area, Hutton allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder before swivelling and volleying high past Paterson.

The game was made all square when Band raced through after a pass from Gay released the young striker.

A strong run and an expertly guided finish low across the ‘keeper saw Watson helpless.

Bathgate started the second half with more of the ball as KSH tried to get back into a rhythm.

Dalrymple was proving a real handful and the back three of Young, Partridge and Brewster were working well thwarting any threat.

The home side started to look more confident with Davidson and Murdoch doing a power of defensive work.

Their unselfish work was allowing Byers time to get on the ball and dictate the play.

The skipper played a ball to Band 40 yards from goal, the young striker twisted and turned before advancing to the edge of the area, instinctively he hit a shot that again went from right to left.

Watson dived low to his left but the ball skipped up and over his arm.

Byers was the architect of the final goal.

The midfielder showed great ability as he glided past opponents with ease, he hit a left foot shot that beat the `keeper only to see the ball rebound of the post.

Shaw showed great awareness as he slid in and scored his side third goal.

KSH: Paterson, Young, Doig, Partridge, Gay, Davidson, Byers, Murdoch, Shaw, Gray, Band.

Subs: Brewster, Mann, Lee, Mackie, Sutherland.

Next is a home cup tie in the DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup v Whitburn on Saturday.