28th January 2018 Hearts v Motherwell 1-1


Another home game. After a busy morning with Harper left for Tynecastle ar 14.10. Today was the Foundation Day at Tynecstle with the official opening of Foundation Plaza and a group photo was to be taken of fans with the new Foundation of Hearts scarfs. I decided however to watch Peterborough v Leicester on TV and missed the festivities. The transfer window is still open and it has been a busy time at Hearts with Danny Amankwaa signed from FC Copenhagen. On the exit side Cole Stockton has moved to Carlisle, Isma to Pakhtakor Tashken in Uzbekistan and it looks like Kristian Nowak is going to Greek side, Panionios. Also just heard that Ashley Smith-Brown's loan has been recalled by Manchester City and he has been sent out on loan to Oxford United.

Despite the moves Hearts fielded a strong side although Kyle Lafferty was still missing due to suspension. Hearts started the game well and Ross Callachan came close to opening the scoring when he shot the post after a cross from the left. Anthony McDonald then had a good chance when he cut inside, beat a defender but then blazed his shot over the bar. Shortly thereafter Heats had a penalty claim when Callachan's ball seemed to be handled by a Motherwell defender. Steven Naismith has a shot blocked by Motherwell keeper Carson and Callachans shot from the rebound was also blocked by the keeper. Motherwell's Curtis Main had the ball in the Hearts net after he flicked on a shot but he was ruled offside. Callachan was then taken down by a Motherwell defender in the penalty box but no penalty was awarded to the disgust of Craig Levein. Just before half-time Demetri Mitchell cut in from the right, what was left back doing there, and shot against the post from just inside the penalty box

The second half was a bit less exciting although Motherwell had a great chance when Craig Tanner latched onto a mistake from Aaron Hughes and headed towards goal only to be stopped by a great blocking challenge from Christophe Berra. David Milinkovic replaced Callachan and after Djoum drew a foul out on the right touchline, midway through the ‘Well half and Irving’s set piece into the box was cleared straight into the path of the substitute, who drilled a low half-volley past Carson and into the back of the net.

The fourth official indicated five minutes on injury time as Hearts looked to hold onto their lead. However in the sixth minute of injury time Motherwell earned a free-kick which was floated into the box. The ball was headed back across goal and Main headed into the goal. Jon McLaughlin claimed he had saved the header before it crossed the line but from where I was sitting it looked like a goal. A sad ending to Hearts run of eight games without conceding a goal.

Walked home after the game a bit disappointed but cheered up when I heard Celtic had beaten Hibs cutting their lead over us in fourth place.

Teams
Hearts: McLaughlin, Smith, Souttar, Hughes, Berra, Djoum, Naismith, Callachan, Mitchell, Irvine, McDonald. 
Subs: Milinkovic, Amankwaa, Randall.

Motherwell: Carson, Tait, Cadden, McHugh, Main, Rose, Dunne, Aldred, Kipre, Campbell, Ciftci. 
Subs: Tanner, Bigormana, Petravicius. 


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