Hibernian slip to shock Premier Sports Cup defeat at Kelty Hearts

Posted Sunday, July 21, 2024 by PA

Hibernian fell to a 1-0 defeat by Kelty Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup in Fife.

Callum Flatman headed home from a 58th-minute corner delivered by former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan.

Harry McKirdy and Dylan Vente hit the post for David Gray’s side, who remain top of Group C.

Aberdeen comfortably came through the test of playing non-league opponents as they won 4-0 against an East Kilbride team managed by Mick Kennedy, the man who masterminded the Dons’ Scottish Cup loss against Darvel.

Nicky Devlin got the visitors off the mark in the 27th minute before Jamie McGrath quickly doubled the lead with an exquisite chip.

Leighton Clarkson whipped a brilliant free-kick into the far top corner from a wide angle and Shayden Morris scored his first goal for the Dons in style.

Airdrie remain top of Group A on goal difference after Ben Wilson hit an 88th-minute winner as the Diamonds came from two goals down to win 4-3 at Dumbarton.

Filip Stuparevic rounded off Motherwell’s 3-1 win against Clyde with an excellent finish from 18 yards to get his Fir Park career off the mark.

There were goal-line clearances at both ends before Moses Ebiye converted Ewan Wilson’s low cross from close range in the 12th minute.

Harry Paton hobbled off for the visitors, who had Theo Bair watching from the stand days after sealing a move to Auxerre.

Ebiye missed the best of a series of Motherwell chances and then made two mistakes in quick succession in his own box to allow Lee Hamilton to net via a deflection on the hour mark.

Lennon Miller restored Motherwell’s lead from the spot and Clyde had chances to equalise before Stuparevic netted with four minutes left.

Partick Thistle remain well in the hunt to top Group G after a second-half goal blitz saw off Edinburgh City. Scott Robinson, Brian Graham, Harry Milne, Ricco Diack, Wasiri Williams and Kyle Turner all netted in the final 33 minutes to seal a 6-0 win.

Benjamin Kimpioka hit a first-half double as St Johnstone beat Morton 2-0 in Perth. Kimpioka produced an excellent finish to round off a counter-attack before turning and scoring just before the break. Alloa won 3-1 at Brechin to stay one point behind the Group F leaders.

George Harmon headed a late winner as Ross County beat Raith Rovers 2-1 in a repeat of last season’s Premiership play-off final.

Jordan White headed home James Brown’s cross to open the scoring for County but Callum Smith headed an equaliser early in the second half. Harmon also netted from a Brown cross with three minutes left.

Hamilton won 3-0 at Stranraer to stay in the hunt for qualification.

Annan went top of Group D after goals from Tommy Goss, Josh Todd and Josh Dixon earned a 3-0 win at Arbroath, while Inverness got off the mark after hitting three first-half goals in a 3-0 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose.

Robbie Muirhead stabbed home the only goal in the 11th minute as Livingston beat Championship rivals Dunfermline to go top of Group E.

In Group B, Aidan Nesbitt hit a double as Falkirk won 5-1 at Buckie Thistle.