Kennoway Star Hearts 1-1 Harestanes

A swirling wind and heavy showers made playing conditions difficult as the game kicked off. The hosts started brightly and dominated the early stages.

Several players in the away side were resorting to stopping the pace of a young KSH starting XI by any means possible, the foul count was rising and eventually the referee decided to start showing his yellow card.

On 30 minutes KSH finally made the breakthrough. A ball was played into the feet of Bryce before he played a quick one-two with strike partner Band; the Harestane’s defence was left flat-footed as Band slid the ball home for a well-worked goal.

A marauding run from Young on the left saw the full-back link up with R.Muir before the player cut inside and tried to curl an effort into the top corner of the goal which was saved in some style.

With the wind picking up pace, the second half started with KSH playing against it, the visitors looked to improve on what was a one-sided first 45 minutes.

With five minutes of the half gone Harestanes levelled. A long ball played behind the KSH defence saw the Harestane number nine advance and stab the ball past Paterson despite the pleas for offside from several players.

Bryce saw a powerful run from deep inside his half halted when three players all took turns in tackling the striker.

The pressure mounted and Band saw a goal-bound effort saved. D.Muir was then denied with a low effort after a slight deflection took the sting out of his shot.

More attacking play on the right flank from Grierson and Craig saw the ball break to R.Muir, the winger saw a volleyed shot blocked as the pressure began to increase.

Band who worked tirelessly throughout looked on in disbelief when a low shot that looked destined for the bottom corner was deflected wide for a corner when a defender stretched out his foot to deny a certain goal.

Another step towards being fit for the new season which kicks off on Saturday away to Tayport kick off 2,30pm.