27th March 2018 Hearts v Hibs U20s 2-3

This Under 20s derby was announced on Hearts website as being played at Riccarton. 

Hearts have been playing U20s games at Stenhousemuir but following erection of stands at the Riccarton 3G pitch, which means the ground meets SFA requirements for U20 matches, they can now play there which is more convenient for fans. Phoned Malcolm and we agreed to meet at the ground for the 1.00pm kickoff. I caught a 34 bus at 12.15 and arrived at ground at 12.45.   Free admission although tickets were being issued as capacity at the ground is restricted. Once tickets are gone no further admissions although you can watch from up the hill behind the ground. I met my ex-neighbour Alan before the game. While he is a Hearts fan his son Jamie plays for Hibs and he was here to cheer him on. Malcolm arrived just before kickoff along with his partner's grandchild, four year old Rudi, who was attending his first football match.

Hearts had a strong side out with first team squad members Hamilton, Bauben and Callachan along with Morrison, Irving, Moore, Keena and Henderson who have all had first team experience. Former Hearts favourite Jose Quitingo's son Jai was playing for Hearts at left back on a short term deal after his release by Morton. Hibs had first team squad member Olli Shaw and also included Callum Donaldson, Sean Mackie, Jamie Gullan, and Lewis Allan who have had first team football while out on loan. Hibs are currently top of the development league with Hearts in fourth place so the game could have a bearing on which side wins the league.

Both sides had chances before Hearts took the lead after around 20 minutes. Ross Callachan took a ball down on the edge of the box, glided past a Hibs defender and then stroked the ball into the corner of the net for the first goal. Hibs equalised fifteen minutes later when Donaldson beat Quitongo to the byeline and cut the ball back for Allan to score from six yards out. Minutes later an attempted Prince Bauben clearance was blocked by Allan and he ran onto the resultant forward pass to shoot past Jack Hamilton from the edge of the eighteen yard box. Hearts however were not to be denied and equalised minutes before halftime when after a good move Lewis Moore passed the ball to Calumn Morrison on the right hand side of the box who fired home a lovely shot for the equaliser.

Early in the second half Hibs won a corner and Mackie's delivery was headed home by Campbell to put Hibs back in the lead. I thought it was poor defending by Hearts as it appeared to be a free header. Thereafter Morrison hit the Hibs bar with a freekick from twenty five yards out. Shortly after this Aidan Keena fired in a shot from around the same distance which ended up hitting the post after I think a touch from the Hibs keeper. Bauben, who was playing as sweeper, had to leave the field after sustaining what looked like a hamstring injury and after this the game seemed to lose its direction. While Hearts continued to press forward they were unable to create any clear chances despite Andrew Irving looking good in midfield. Hibs tried to create chanced too with Jamie Gullan prominent on both wings but no further goals were scored leaving Hibs winners and favourites to win the league.

Walked from the Oriam to the Avenue and caught a 34 bus back home.

Teams

Hearts:  Hamilton, Sandison, Buaben, B. Gajda, Quitongo, Morrison, Irving, Callachan, Moore, Keena, Henderson. 

Subs: Paton, Ritchie

Hibs:  P Martin, Donaldson, Mackie, Campbell, Waugh, Crane, Gullan, Stirling, Shaw, Martin, Allan. 

Subs: None used