Pittenweem Rovers 3-3 Hearts of Beath

Rovers welcomed Hearts of Beath to Pittenweem for a Premier League fixturewith a strong wind blowing down the pitch.

HOB kicked off with the wind at their backs and it was clear from the outset that it would be the proverbial game of two halves.

HOB used the conditions to their advantage and took the lead in the tenth minute when a long ball was launched forward.

Barclay, in the Pittenweem goal, elected to punch but clashed with Fleming and the ball ended up in the Pittenweem net.

HOB almost went two up a minute later when an inswinging corner from the left was flicked goalward at the near post but Barclay produced a brilliant save.

Rovers resistance was short lived, however, when they conceded again in the 12th minute.

HOB gathered in midfield and their forward struck a low left foot shot from 20 yards that beat Barclay and went in off the post.

Rovers had a good opportunity to pull a goal back in the 25th minute when Allan headed Gardner’s cross goalward but keeper and crossbar combined to keep the ball out.

Rovers kept plugging away, against the strong wind, and were thwarted again by the HOB keeper in the 32nd minute when he saved well from Allan after Gardner’s run carved out the opportunity.

Gardner was next to try his luck when he closed in on goal but the keeper was out quickly to save well.

Rovers were soon to regret the missed opportunities as they went further behind five minutes before the break.

HOB cleared forward and their striker was first to it and hammered the ball into the net.

Rovers emerged for the second half but couldn’t breach the HOB rearguard in the early stages.

HOB were reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute when their centre forward was ordered off following an off the ball incident.

Rovers got a foothold back in the game when Wilkie’s corner eluded the keeper and sailed into the back of the net to make it 1-3.

Rovers thought they’d pulled another goal back shortly after but Smith was adjudged to be offside.

With eight minutes remaining, Young made a good run forward and let fly from 25 yards.

The keeper got down well to block but could only divert the ball into the path of Ketchen who swept the ball into the net.

Rovers completed the comeback with a goal in the 89th minute when Smith headed Ketchen’s corner into the net.

On Saturday Rovers are at home to Kingdom Athletic.