Kelty Hearts' Michael Tidser hails win at Queen of the South

KELTY HEARTS player / manager Michael Tidser said "a result like that was coming" after watching his side thrash Queen of the South to go top of League One.

He hailed his in-form stars for producing some "exceptional" play at Palmerston, where doubles from Ross Cunningham and Scott Williamson, and a Sam Cleall-Harding header, saw them earn a stunning 5-1 success.

The result saw them jump from fourth place to the summit, replacing their opponents in the process, with 15 points from the opening quarter of the campaign.

"We were good," Tidser said.

"If truth be told, I kind of knew a result like that was coming because, for the first quarter now, every team we've played, probably barring Inverness, we've had chances in the game to either score early or put the game to bed.

"I'm sure every club will have their story as well, but I can only speak about Kelty Hearts, so I think on Saturday it just really clicked.

"We were bang at it, took our goals at the right time, put the game to bed almost by half-time, being 3-0 up, so it was just a real good day for the club.

"It was a shot in the arm for the lads to show that we can compete in this league and, going against full-time teams, we can compete against them.

"I'm really pleased for the lads and really pleased for the club in general."

After weathering some early pressure from the Doonhamers, Cunningham finished off a fine team move, involving debutant, Jacob McIntyre, and Williamson, to give Kelty a 26th minute lead.

The former Clyde man then added his, and his team's second, from the penalty spot after Craig Johnston was fouled by Lewis O'Donnell, now on loan with Queens from Dundee United following a similar spell with the 'Maroon Machine' last term.

Williamson, after winning a loose ball inside the penalty area, rifled home the visitors' third goal before the break, before Michael Hewitt pulled one back just before the hour mark.

Scott Williamson also netted a double at Palmerston. (Image: David Wardle.)

Five minutes later, defender Cleall-Harding, who is on loan from Dundee United, nodded in his first goal for Kelty after Tam O'Ware had headed off the crossbar. 

And the home side's day went from bad to worse as Matty Douglas was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Johnston.

Williamson completed a sparkling afternoon for Kelty when he tapped in Murray Thomas' low ball across the six-yard box.

Tidser continued: "Everybody always looks at the goals but, for me as a manager, and you've obviously seen the way my Kelty teams play, I look at the other side of it.

"The defensive structure, the shape and then, in possession of the ball I thought we were really good for large spells.

"I think the first 15-20 minutes, it was a wee bit scratchy, a wee bit scrappy. We couldn't really get into our flow but, I think once we scored the first goal, it settled us right down, and then some of our play was exceptional.

"The fifth goal, albeit, they're down to 10 men, was 14, 15 passes, and Scotty Williamson is two yards from the goal tapping it in.

"That's everything we work on. That doesn't just happen overnight - that's been a constant build-up over the last 18 months or so.

"The lads are in a good place and, hopefully, that gives them the belief to kick on into the busy period to come."