21st January 2018 Hearts v Hibs 1-0
A disappointing day yesterday, was set to go to Whitehill Welfare but Twitter on Friday night showed pitch was covered in snow. Then thought about Penicuik but again pitch covered in snow. Finally looked at Edinburgh University v BSC Glasgow but again game as called off. Found out later Bonnyrigg was on but too late to go to game. However cannot wait for game today. Another cup tie against Hibs. Left house at 1.15 for 2.05 kick-off in driving snow to walk to Tynecastle.
Hearts had two new players in the side, Demetri Mitchell, a left back on loan from Manchester United, and Steven Naismith, the Scotland striker on loan from Norwich. Players have also left during the current transfer window, Jamie Walker to Wigan, Marc Leonard to Brighton and Rafal Grzelak whose contract was cancelled by mutual consent. The atmosphere at Tynecasle was brilliant as team came out with Hearts looking to extending clean sheet record to seven games and Hibs looking for ten undefeated derbies in a row. Never mind Hearts hold derby record on twenty-two derbies without defeat. Hibs had former Jambo Faycal Rherras on the bench after his loan signing from Mechelen.
Naismith almost had a dream start to his Hearts career. He latched onto a through ball from David Milinkovic and went past Hibs keeper Marciano who dived at his feet at the edge of the penalty box. As he went past the keeper he seemed to lose his footing and shot past the empty goal as two Hibs defenders rushed back to cover. Martin Boyle had an early chance for Hibs as a long cross from Ollie Shaw found him on the left hand edge of the Hearts six yard box. He seemed to be unsure as to which foot to hit the ball with and fired past Jon McLaughlin's post. Isma had a chance when he latched on to another through ball and tussled with Darren McGregor. I thought McGregor handled the ball but Isma played on although he was now wide of the goal and could only shoot against Marciano. Harry Cochrane was looking good in midfield holding the ball well and finding Hearts players with some good passing. Arnaud Djoum had a chance when he shot first time from a poor Effe Ambrose clearance but his effort flew over the bar.
The second half started with Hearts on top and Mitchell brought a good diving save from Marciano when he contact with a cross from Isma about twelve yards out. Don Cowie replaced David Milinkovic as Hearts looked for extra strength in the middle of the park. Hearts seemed to be having most of the play but clear chances were not being made. With five minutes to go Jon McLaughlin made a good save tipping a rising shot from Martin Boyle over the crossbar. From the resulting corner Hearts broke quickly and forced a corner at the other end. Harry Cochrane took the corner which Christophe Berra headed back across goal. Cowie got a touch on the ball and deflected it into the net despite an effort by John McGinn to clear of the line. After the game Neil Lennon, the Hibs manager, said at least the stand side linesman had a good game. This was a sarcastic reference to the last derby when the linesman missed a Hibs shot crossing the line but thankfully the lineman today saw Cowie's effort cross the line.
After five minutes added time, and Craig Levein, Hearts manager, falling out with Boyle and Brandon Barker of Hibs on the touchline, the referee blew his whistle and a party broke out at Tynecastle. 'It's a beautiful day" played loudly over the tannoy as the players applauded the cheering fans. This was followed by the Hearts song as the crowd made for the exits. I thought whole Hearts team had played well but my man of the match was Berra who was outstanding defensively and helped make the winning goal. I doubt if there is currently a batter defender playing in Scotland.
I walked home with a smile on my face and opened a bottle of vino when I got home to celebrate. The draw for the next round of the cup brought Hearts another home tie against either St Johnstone or Albion Rovers. Bring them on !
Teams
Naismith almost had a dream start to his Hearts career. He latched onto a through ball from David Milinkovic and went past Hibs keeper Marciano who dived at his feet at the edge of the penalty box. As he went past the keeper he seemed to lose his footing and shot past the empty goal as two Hibs defenders rushed back to cover. Martin Boyle had an early chance for Hibs as a long cross from Ollie Shaw found him on the left hand edge of the Hearts six yard box. He seemed to be unsure as to which foot to hit the ball with and fired past Jon McLaughlin's post. Isma had a chance when he latched on to another through ball and tussled with Darren McGregor. I thought McGregor handled the ball but Isma played on although he was now wide of the goal and could only shoot against Marciano. Harry Cochrane was looking good in midfield holding the ball well and finding Hearts players with some good passing. Arnaud Djoum had a chance when he shot first time from a poor Effe Ambrose clearance but his effort flew over the bar.
The second half started with Hearts on top and Mitchell brought a good diving save from Marciano when he contact with a cross from Isma about twelve yards out. Don Cowie replaced David Milinkovic as Hearts looked for extra strength in the middle of the park. Hearts seemed to be having most of the play but clear chances were not being made. With five minutes to go Jon McLaughlin made a good save tipping a rising shot from Martin Boyle over the crossbar. From the resulting corner Hearts broke quickly and forced a corner at the other end. Harry Cochrane took the corner which Christophe Berra headed back across goal. Cowie got a touch on the ball and deflected it into the net despite an effort by John McGinn to clear of the line. After the game Neil Lennon, the Hibs manager, said at least the stand side linesman had a good game. This was a sarcastic reference to the last derby when the linesman missed a Hibs shot crossing the line but thankfully the lineman today saw Cowie's effort cross the line.
After five minutes added time, and Craig Levein, Hearts manager, falling out with Boyle and Brandon Barker of Hibs on the touchline, the referee blew his whistle and a party broke out at Tynecastle. 'It's a beautiful day" played loudly over the tannoy as the players applauded the cheering fans. This was followed by the Hearts song as the crowd made for the exits. I thought whole Hearts team had played well but my man of the match was Berra who was outstanding defensively and helped make the winning goal. I doubt if there is currently a batter defender playing in Scotland.
I walked home with a smile on my face and opened a bottle of vino when I got home to celebrate. The draw for the next round of the cup brought Hearts another home tie against either St Johnstone or Albion Rovers. Bring them on !
Teams
Hearts: McLaughlin, Souttar, Hughes, Berra, Djoum, Milinkovic, Naismith, Randall, Mitchell, Cochrane, Isma.
Subs: Cowie, Moore, Smith
Hibs: Marciano, Hanlon, Bartley, McGinn, Slivka, McGeouch, Stevenson, Boyle, McGregor, Ambrose, Shaw.
Subs: Barker, Murray
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