16th July 2019 Cowdenbeath v Hearts 0-2
Another Betfred Cup match this time at section leaders Cowdenbeath. Wandered down to Haymarket Station and caught the 18.01 train to Cowdenbeath. It cost me more than it would on a later train as the off peak fare does not apply until 18.30. I was thankful I caught this train as the 18.30 was cancelled when the engine broke down at Waverley Station and the next train which arrived was therefore packed, with people standing all the way. On arrival at Cowdenbeath I walked down to the ground and paid my £12 admission charge. Inside the ground I bought a programme for £2.50. This must be one of the best programmes in Scottish Football despite Cowdenbeath generally being in the lower half on League Two. The programme contained a number of interesting articles including an interview with Craig Levein reprinted from the programme when he took charge of Cowdenbeath as manager in 1997.
Hearts made a number of changes to the side who had played against Dundee United in the last match. Aaron Hickey, Jamie Walker, Uche Ikpeazu and Jake Mulraney dropped to the bench. John Souttar was omitted from the squad and Andy Irving also missed the game due to his red card against United. In came Bobby Burns, Craig Halkett, Anthony McDonald, Oliver Bozanic, Steven MacLean and Dario Zanatta. The changes were designed to give game time to as many players as possible before the league programme begins. Cowdenbeath fielded former Hearts players Fraser Mullen and Robbie Buchanan, ex-Hibs goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski, Graham Taylor who was with Edinburgh City last season and former Spartans captain Michael Herd was on the bench.
Hearts started well and almost took the lead in the first minute when MacLean and Zanatta played a one-two to send the winger heading towards the bye--line just outside the six yard box. Zanatta appeared to be blocked in by two defenders but he was able to cutback between them and fire in a shot which was blocked by keeper Dabrowski at the expense of a corner. Hearts took the lead in seven minutes from a corner of the night hand side. Bozanic took the kick and found Halkett about eight yards out. The centre-back leapt to power a header into the net. Anthony MacDonald was prominent in the early stages and his through ball found Conor Washington but Dabrowski rushed form his goal to save. Hearts second came after twenty-two minutes when McDonald and Washington played a one-two. McDonald then sent MacLean free down the right and raced into the box to slot home the striker's cross from just outside the six yard box. Hearts continued to press throughout the first half and created a number of changes with Christophe Berra blazing a shot over the bar from about fifteen yards out when the ball broke to him from a corner. Bobby Zlamal in the Hearts goal had little to do with Cowdenbeath rarely breaking and when they did the defence dealt with any threat capably.
The second half started with McDonald setting Zanatta free was a glorious cross-field pass. The winger cut into the penalty area but, with Washington free in the middle and screaming for a pass, shot against Dabrowski for yet another corner. The pace of the game dropped after this with Hearts seemingly content with a 2-0 lead. The most amusing incident in the second half came with the announcer trying to pronounce Uche Ikpeazu's name when he came on as substitute for MacLean. The result of the announcers attempt came over the tannoy as" Itchy Ikpisa". Ikpeazu brought some power up front to the side and turned defenders with his strength although his final ball was still not up to standard. Aidan Keena also came on as a substitute and had an effort well saved by Dabrowski before setting up McDonald with another chance for the keeper to distinguish himself. The final whistle came with Hearts moving to the top of the qualifying section with five points from two games.
After the game I walked back to the station although the next train was not due until 22.22. I met Graham at the station who I first met at secondary school. We used to go to Hearts games together at that time and despite drifting apart, as we started work etc, have still kept in touch intermittently. We had a good chat both on the platform and on the train until Graham got off at Edinburgh Gateway to catch a bus home to Broxburn. I continued on to Haymarket and walked home from the station arriving back around 23.15.
Teams
Cowdenbeath: Dabrowski, Mullen, Pyper, Todd, Barr, Miller, Cox, Buchanan, Taylor, Thomas, Renton.
Subs: Allan, Herd.
Hearts: Zlamal, M. Smith, Berra, Bozanic, Clare, Washington, MacLean, McDonald, Halkett, Zanatta, Burns.
Subs: Ikpeazu, Keena, Walker
Hearts started well and almost took the lead in the first minute when MacLean and Zanatta played a one-two to send the winger heading towards the bye--line just outside the six yard box. Zanatta appeared to be blocked in by two defenders but he was able to cutback between them and fire in a shot which was blocked by keeper Dabrowski at the expense of a corner. Hearts took the lead in seven minutes from a corner of the night hand side. Bozanic took the kick and found Halkett about eight yards out. The centre-back leapt to power a header into the net. Anthony MacDonald was prominent in the early stages and his through ball found Conor Washington but Dabrowski rushed form his goal to save. Hearts second came after twenty-two minutes when McDonald and Washington played a one-two. McDonald then sent MacLean free down the right and raced into the box to slot home the striker's cross from just outside the six yard box. Hearts continued to press throughout the first half and created a number of changes with Christophe Berra blazing a shot over the bar from about fifteen yards out when the ball broke to him from a corner. Bobby Zlamal in the Hearts goal had little to do with Cowdenbeath rarely breaking and when they did the defence dealt with any threat capably.
The second half started with McDonald setting Zanatta free was a glorious cross-field pass. The winger cut into the penalty area but, with Washington free in the middle and screaming for a pass, shot against Dabrowski for yet another corner. The pace of the game dropped after this with Hearts seemingly content with a 2-0 lead. The most amusing incident in the second half came with the announcer trying to pronounce Uche Ikpeazu's name when he came on as substitute for MacLean. The result of the announcers attempt came over the tannoy as" Itchy Ikpisa". Ikpeazu brought some power up front to the side and turned defenders with his strength although his final ball was still not up to standard. Aidan Keena also came on as a substitute and had an effort well saved by Dabrowski before setting up McDonald with another chance for the keeper to distinguish himself. The final whistle came with Hearts moving to the top of the qualifying section with five points from two games.
After the game I walked back to the station although the next train was not due until 22.22. I met Graham at the station who I first met at secondary school. We used to go to Hearts games together at that time and despite drifting apart, as we started work etc, have still kept in touch intermittently. We had a good chat both on the platform and on the train until Graham got off at Edinburgh Gateway to catch a bus home to Broxburn. I continued on to Haymarket and walked home from the station arriving back around 23.15.
Teams
Cowdenbeath: Dabrowski, Mullen, Pyper, Todd, Barr, Miller, Cox, Buchanan, Taylor, Thomas, Renton.
Subs: Allan, Herd.
Hearts: Zlamal, M. Smith, Berra, Bozanic, Clare, Washington, MacLean, McDonald, Halkett, Zanatta, Burns.
Subs: Ikpeazu, Keena, Walker
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