26th September 2018 Hearts v Motherwell 4-2
Missed Hearts game v Livingston on Saturday as Natalie had taken me away to Dubrovnik for my birthday. Flew back today and arrived hone after a delay at 16.30. Left house at 19.00 and walked down to Tynecastle in time for kickoff. Since my last post Hearts have signed Sean Clare from Sheffield Wednesday (18th new player since end of last season) but he was not in squad tonight. Arnaud Djoum and Calumn Morrison however came into starting lineup. An interesting programme with cover based on 1950's style. Inside the programme of Hearts v Motherwell from December 1955 was reproduced. 1955 programme cost 3d (1p) in comparison to todays £3.50.
Hearts started well and in the first five minutes both Steven Naismith and Peter Haring had headers from corners cleared off the line. However things changed just after the ten minute mark when a ball headed back across goal by a Motherwell player struck Jimmy Dunne's hand. From where I was sitting it looked like ball played man but referee Willie Collum awarded Motherwell a penalty. Curtis Main struck the ball to 'Bobby' Zlamal's left hand side to give his side a 1-0 lead. Ex-jambo Scott Crabbe who was making the halftime draw said that from his viewpoint, behind the goal, it was never a penalty. Herts equalised when Djoum won a challenge outside the penalty area and passed to Morrison on the right. He went to the byeline and crossed to Naismith at the far post. Naismith headed the ball back across goal for Steven McLean to prod home from about three years out. Motherwell were looking for offside but with players on the goal-line the goal stood. First half ended at 1-1 with Hearts having most of the pressure although not creating many clear chances. Motherwell had a good twenty minute spell around the time they scored and Zlamal had a good save to keep out an effort from Main.
The second half started as the first ended with Morrison looking particularly effective on the Hearts right wing. However clear chances again were few and far apart although Haring came close with a header from Morrison's cross. Hearts went ahead just after the hour mark when a corner was cleared only as far as Demetri Mitchell just outside the penalty box. Mitchell's shot was deflected by a Motherwell defender to John Souttar about fifteen yards out on the right hand side of the box. Souttar fired the ball across goal, to be honest I am not sure if it was meant as a shot or a cross. However Haring slid in to net his fourth goal of the season from the edge of the six yard box. Morrison had a great chance shortly after before shooting against the keepers legs. Craig Levein than had a touchline tantrum which could have brought him more heart problems after warnings from both the fourth official and the referee.
With ten minutes to go Motherwell scored an equaliser. A goal kick from Zlamal was headed back into the Hearts half by a Motherwell defender. Ryan Bowman chased the ball and took it on the volley on the right hand side of the Hearts penalty box. It flew past Zlamal for the equaliser. I hate saying this but it was the goal of the game. However with a minute left Hearts went ahead. Substitute Dikamona passed to Michael Smith on the right. Smith drove forward and drove into the box along the byeline before cutting the ball back to Olly Lee fourteen yards out. Lee took a touch and then shot across the keeper for his fourth goal of the season. This looks like the main difference from last season's Hearts side who could not get goals from midfield. As the game moved into injury time Haring sent a clearance up towards the halfway line where Naismith was lurking unmarked, in his own half, as Motherwell pressed players forward for an equaliser. Naismith set off towards the goal chased by defenders and from the edge of the box he rolled the ball into to corner of the net to give Hearts a 4-2 lead and a semi-final place.
A really good game with both sides giving their all. Walked home with a smile on my face and looking forward to the semi-final. If asked to give a Man of the Match award I would say it was a joint award for Morrison and Haring. Guy sitting behind me was slagging off Haring in the first half saying his form had fallen away since start of the season. He shut up in the second ! Only thing I would change with current Hearts squad is Souttar and Maclean's boots. Green boots have no place at Tynecastle.
Hearts started well and in the first five minutes both Steven Naismith and Peter Haring had headers from corners cleared off the line. However things changed just after the ten minute mark when a ball headed back across goal by a Motherwell player struck Jimmy Dunne's hand. From where I was sitting it looked like ball played man but referee Willie Collum awarded Motherwell a penalty. Curtis Main struck the ball to 'Bobby' Zlamal's left hand side to give his side a 1-0 lead. Ex-jambo Scott Crabbe who was making the halftime draw said that from his viewpoint, behind the goal, it was never a penalty. Herts equalised when Djoum won a challenge outside the penalty area and passed to Morrison on the right. He went to the byeline and crossed to Naismith at the far post. Naismith headed the ball back across goal for Steven McLean to prod home from about three years out. Motherwell were looking for offside but with players on the goal-line the goal stood. First half ended at 1-1 with Hearts having most of the pressure although not creating many clear chances. Motherwell had a good twenty minute spell around the time they scored and Zlamal had a good save to keep out an effort from Main.
The second half started as the first ended with Morrison looking particularly effective on the Hearts right wing. However clear chances again were few and far apart although Haring came close with a header from Morrison's cross. Hearts went ahead just after the hour mark when a corner was cleared only as far as Demetri Mitchell just outside the penalty box. Mitchell's shot was deflected by a Motherwell defender to John Souttar about fifteen yards out on the right hand side of the box. Souttar fired the ball across goal, to be honest I am not sure if it was meant as a shot or a cross. However Haring slid in to net his fourth goal of the season from the edge of the six yard box. Morrison had a great chance shortly after before shooting against the keepers legs. Craig Levein than had a touchline tantrum which could have brought him more heart problems after warnings from both the fourth official and the referee.
With ten minutes to go Motherwell scored an equaliser. A goal kick from Zlamal was headed back into the Hearts half by a Motherwell defender. Ryan Bowman chased the ball and took it on the volley on the right hand side of the Hearts penalty box. It flew past Zlamal for the equaliser. I hate saying this but it was the goal of the game. However with a minute left Hearts went ahead. Substitute Dikamona passed to Michael Smith on the right. Smith drove forward and drove into the box along the byeline before cutting the ball back to Olly Lee fourteen yards out. Lee took a touch and then shot across the keeper for his fourth goal of the season. This looks like the main difference from last season's Hearts side who could not get goals from midfield. As the game moved into injury time Haring sent a clearance up towards the halfway line where Naismith was lurking unmarked, in his own half, as Motherwell pressed players forward for an equaliser. Naismith set off towards the goal chased by defenders and from the edge of the box he rolled the ball into to corner of the net to give Hearts a 4-2 lead and a semi-final place.
A really good game with both sides giving their all. Walked home with a smile on my face and looking forward to the semi-final. If asked to give a Man of the Match award I would say it was a joint award for Morrison and Haring. Guy sitting behind me was slagging off Haring in the first half saying his form had fallen away since start of the season. He shut up in the second ! Only thing I would change with current Hearts squad is Souttar and Maclean's boots. Green boots have no place at Tynecastle.
Teams
Hearts: Zlamal, M. Smith, Dunne, Souttar, Haring, Lee, Djoum, Mitchell, Naismith, Maclean, Morrison.
Subs: Dikamona, Bozanic, Amankwaa
Motherwell; Gillespie, Tait, McHugh, Aldred, Cadden, Campbell, Main, Bowman, Grimshow, Bigirmana, Donnelly.
Subs: Johnson, Frear.
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