29th October 2018 Hearts reserves v St Johnstone reserves 0-1
Decided to go out to Riccarton for this game. Malcolm who normally goes to reserve games was at a funeral today so I went on my own. Just missed a 34 bus but a 35 came along minutes later and I arrived at the ground at 13.45 for a 14.00 kickoff. The setting sun made seeing parts of the pitch difficult and I was wishing I had bought my sunglasses rather than having to shade my eyes to see the action on the far side of the pitch. Hearts fielded a young side with probably only around fifteen first team appearances across the team. With the Edinburgh derby coming up on Wednesday and Hearts having a long injury list I think they're trying to save any possible first team players for that game. St Johnstone fielded Stefan Scougall, ex-Livingston and Sheffield United and Danny Swanson, man of many clubs including both Hearts and Hibs in their line-up. Also playing was Callum Hendry the son of ex-Scotland star Colin Hendry.
It was not a great game and Swanson had the first chance when a cross found him at the far post but he was unable to hit the target. Saints took the lead after twenty minutes when a cross from the right found Hendry in the box and he looped a strong header over Kevin Silva and into the net. Hearts were not making many chances although Euan Henderson had a couple of half chances but failed to connect. Alex Petrov had a strong run from his own half going past two players but was crowded out on the edge of the penalty area. There was a strange incident before halftime when Swanson seemed to be shouting at a fan in the stand. I also heard him shouting to his dad, who was in the stand, telling him to move to the other side of the park. As the teams walked off at halftime Danny's dad shouted to him as he was going off that he had had enough and was leaving. he then left the ground. As Swanson was substituted at halftime at least he did not miss seeing his son play.
It was not a great game and Swanson had the first chance when a cross found him at the far post but he was unable to hit the target. Saints took the lead after twenty minutes when a cross from the right found Hendry in the box and he looped a strong header over Kevin Silva and into the net. Hearts were not making many chances although Euan Henderson had a couple of half chances but failed to connect. Alex Petrov had a strong run from his own half going past two players but was crowded out on the edge of the penalty area. There was a strange incident before halftime when Swanson seemed to be shouting at a fan in the stand. I also heard him shouting to his dad, who was in the stand, telling him to move to the other side of the park. As the teams walked off at halftime Danny's dad shouted to him as he was going off that he had had enough and was leaving. he then left the ground. As Swanson was substituted at halftime at least he did not miss seeing his son play.
The second half was more of the same with Hendry forcing Silva into a good save with a low shot.Hearts best chance came with about ten minutes to go when a through ball from Daniel Baur found Henderson one on one with Saints keeper Conor Mitchell. However he lifted his shot over the bar. Hendry had another good chance when he pulled a cross to the side of Silva but shot past the post when it seemed easier to score. As time ran down keeper Silva started to take free kicks from the halfway line as Hearts piled players into the box in a hunt for an equaliser. From the second of these centre-half Bartlomiej Gajda headed wide and the last chance had gone.
After the game I walked down to the Avenue and caught a 34 bus home.
Teams
Hearts: Silva, Hickey, Baur, Hamilton, Gadja, Petrov, McGill, Ritchie, Makovora, Henderson, Moore.
Subs: Ward, Doig
St Johnstone: Mitchell, Comrie, Brian, Donald, Quigley, McCann, O’Reilly, Scougall, Hendry, McLean, Swanson.
Subs: McKenzie, Northcroft, Struthers.
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