Hearts back to winning ways.

Saturday 12th November 2011.

Kingdom Caledonian League.

Cupar Hearts hosted bottom side Kinross and were looking to get back to winnings ways after their cup exit the previous week. Hearts welcomed back Scott McInroy and Charles Anderson into the centre of defence and were keen to keep a clean sheet.

Kinross were first to show in front of goal when a free kick sent in by Craig Lindsay brought the best out of keeper Steven McEwan who did well to tip the ball over. Michael Reilly had a good chance to opening the scoring but his shot hit the side netting. Hearts pressurised and they broke the deadlock on 26 minutes. Barry Sibanda did expertly when he lobbed the ball over the keeper, off the inside of the cross bar and into the net. Kinross hit back through Stuart McIntyre but his weak final shot was easily saved. Then Stuart Beveridge did well to set up Barry Sibanda after a good run when he squared the ball into the box but he blasted high over. With 5 minutes remaining a good Michael Reilly cross was met by Iain O’Leary but he headed over.

Cupar Hearts wasted no time getting the second half underway when they doubled their lead 3 minutes in. A good ball by Michael Reilly found Iain O’Leary out wide who did well to cut back. Barry Sibanda let the ball run into the path of Stuart Beveridge who blasted the ball home from the edge of the box. Moments later Stuart McIntyre and Craig Lindsay combined well for the visitors but Grant Fraser did enough and the keeper eventually gathered. Cupar went further ahead on 54 minutes through Michael Reilly. A perfectly placed Iain O’Leary cross was met with a glancing header into the top corner to make it 3. David Simpson replaced Iain O’Leary and started causing the Kinross defence some problems. On the hour mark a great first time cross by Grant Fraser was just too high for Barry Sibanda and Kinross cleared. Stuart Beveridge and Charles Anderson both had long distance efforts for Hearts but both were easily saved. With 8 minutes remaining Cupar scored goal number 4 and concluded the scoring. Substitute David Simpson did well to lob the out coming keeper and watch the ball roll into an empty. Iain Boylan would have the last say of the match when his free kick came crashing off the crossbar. It was a good victory for Hearts that take them top of the league.

Cupar: McEwan, Andersom (C), Fraser, McInroy, Halley, Beveridge, Nicoll, O’Leary, Boylan, Sibanda and Reilly. Subs: Simpson and McShane.