Edinburgh City played their second away game in a matter of days, as a trip to face Kelty Hearts at New Central Park was on the agenda. The Citizens came out on the wrong end of a five goal thriller, but the performance offered plenty of encouragement for the future of Michael McIndoe’s squad.

City stunned the hosts and drew first blood in Fife. Olly McDonald scored his first goal for the club, breaking down the left hand side before coolly slotting the ball past Gourlay to give his side a rare lead.

The Maroon Machine hit back through Joe McGlynn. Kelty’s number 21 managed to slip past Quinn Mitchell and headed home at the back post to level the score.

Liam Parker was a set piece threat during his time at Civil Service Strollers, and decided to try his luck from a free kick. The big centre half’s effort looked to have crossed the line, but the second goal that City craved was not awarded.

Kelty then went ahead for the first time with half an hour to go. Another cross to the back post took a flick off the head of Calum Flatman, and McGlynn scored his second goal of the game.

The hosts added a third on 82 minutes. Kelsey Ewan’s unfortunate slip in midfield was punished by Ross Cunningham. A delicate chipped finish was enough to seal three points for Kelty Hearts.

City didn’t go down without a fight, and reduced the deficit to one goal shortly before full time. Malik Zaid was back in the matchday squad, after missing the Montrose game through illness. He threaded a delightful ball through the Kelty defence to Findlay Marshall, who found the net.

“We didn’t get outmuscled or outplayed by any stretch of the imagination, I think we were probably the slightly better team at certain points. We should have been 2 or 3-0 up in the first half.”

“We’ve went 1-0 up, let them come back into the game, we’ve had two or three chances to kill them off in the first half, and didn’t take them, but we can’t have a go at the young lads. We have to keep coaching them.”

“I’m happy with all of them if I’m being honest, because we fought. We made two changes at half time, and the lads have put in a lot of games, but a lot of them have not played regular football for the last few years, let alone the last few weeks. I think what’s really pleasing is to look at this young, young team and say “Do you know what? I’d love to work with these guys for another 3-4 months”. At that point, you can see a football team come together.”

Edinburgh City’s next match is on Saturday 17th February, as Queen of the South visit Meadowbank Stadium.

Match Report by Aaron Fraser