24th July 2019 Hearts v Stenhousemuir 2-1

Another Betfred Cup tie and Hearts pretty much guaranteed qualification if they win this match and move to eight points from nine. Left home at around seven and walked down to Tynecastlle. As match was a cup-tie my season ticket was not valid and I had paid £12 for a ticket, although I did get my usual seat in the Main Stand. Met two ex-work colleagues, Robin and Colin, in the concourse area and had a long chat. Colin like me took voluntary redundancy and Robin is following suit with tomorrow being his last day with RBS. After I took my seat Pete, yet another guy I used to work with, came along for a chat. He was wearing the new Hearts third strip which looks very smart and I am dropping hints for my next birthday. 

Hearts made three changes to the side which defeated Cowdenbeath. John Souttar, Jamie Walker and Aaron Hickey came in at the expense of Christophe Berra, Dario Zanatta and Bobby Burns. Aidy White, signed towards the end of last season as a free agent following a long-term injury, gained a place soon the bench. SPL sides now look on the Betfred Cup group games as pre-season friendly matches and generally make a number of changes to give all squad members game time prior to the start of the League season. Stenhousemuir included ex-Hibs and Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith and also Mark McGuigan who has scored a lot of goals in the lower leagues. On the bench for "Stenny" was Kieran Anderson who last season played in the East of Scotland League for Cameron. Forty-seven goals in that league prompted his signing for Stenhousemuir. Anderson played for Stenhousemuir U20s before moving on in 2012 and playing for a number of lower league sides in Central Scotland before returning to the club.

Hearts started well and after a run from the back Souttar fired the ball across goal. The cross evaded Conor Washington in the centre of the goal and Walker was only able to bundle it past the far post.  Washington, Michael Smith and Anthony McDonald then worked the ball down the right but the striker's shot from inside the penalty box was blocked by the defence. Hearts were playing some nice football but were unable to put the ball in the net and Sean Clare fired wildly over the bar after a Smith shot was blocked and fell to the mid-fielder. Stenhousemuir had their first attempt on goal after about thirty minutes after a foul by Walker in midfield. Alan Cook hit the free-kick well from around twenty-five yards but the shot was directly at Zlamal who saved comfortably. Just before halftime Clare had an attempt from the edge of the box but his shot was turned away by the diving Smith in the Stenhousemuir goal. I like Sean Clare in midfield despite what others may say. Last year he played a wide role and while he played well at times did not seem suited that role. This season he is working hard in central midfield and getting forward well. The only thing which lets him down is his passing as any pass over twenty yards seems to be overhit giving the recipients no chance of gaining possession.

There was a strange incident at halftime. There were three guys sitting a few seats along from me who looked like they were in one of the hostility lounges. As they left to go back to the lounge and went past me the last one said to me, "Are you Robert Elrick'. When I replied in the affirmative he said that he had been at school with my brother Ian. When I told him that Ian would not be at Tynecastle as he was a Hibs fan the guy responded that Ian must have been dropped on his head as a baby. He then headed off to hospitality and I did not get his name. I thought I would have seen him when he came back for the second half but the seats were empty there-after. I was thinking afterwards that I was either old before my time or retained my youthful good looks if he recognised me from school. Personally I would go for the latter option.

The second half continued machine the same vein as the first with Hearts dominating the game. 'Stennys" Smith again denied Washington a goal with a good diving save after the striker found space with a good turn in the box. Hearts were denied a goal four times in a matter of seconds after MacLean had a shot from a Walker chip cleared from the goal-line. The ball was returned to MacLean whose shot was blocked by Smith as was the follow-up effort by Bozanic. Walker then had a go and his attempt was blocked on the line by Scott McLaughlin. The rebound went to Washington and his shot was again cleared by McLaughlin before the ball was punted upfield. Despite all Hearts pressure Stenhousemuir took the lead in sent-seven minutes after a break instigated by Cook on the left. He headed towards goal and fired a low cross into the penalty box. McGuigan connected at the near post with a good flick which left Zlamal helpless. There were a few boos from the stand at this stage as fans started to become frustrated. However after eighty-two minutes Clare sent a corner from the right into the box. The ball fell at the feet of Craig Halkett about eight yards out and he shot past Smith for the equaliser. Halkett was now playing up front with substitutes Uche Ikpeazu and Aidan Keena as Hearts pressed for a win. The move paid of with three minutes to go. Substitute Jake Mulraney broke on the left and sent a good cross into the centre of the penalty box. Halkett rose high and powered a header past Smith for the winning goal. Despite Anderson coming on as a late substitute Stenhousemuir were unable to create an equaliser and Hearts held out for a win. The winners of the section will be decided on Saturday when Hearts travel to meet East Fife but the eight points now gained should be enough to ensure qualification as one of the best runners-up in a worst case scenario.

I walked home happy with the performance as I thought that Hearts played well until it came to the final touch. Hopefully Washington will in time prove to be the consistent goal-scorer the side have lacked since the transfer of Kyle Lafferty at the start of last season.

Teams

Hearts: Zlamal, M. Smith, Souttar, Bozanic, Clare, Washington, Walker, MacLean, McDonald , Halkett, Hickey. 

Subs: Ikpeazu, Mulraney, Keena.

Stenhousemuir: Smith, McIlduff, McKernon, Marsh, McGuigan, Hopkirk, Cook, McLaughlin, M. Munro, Scullion, A. Munro. 

Subs: Halleran, Watters, Anderson