9th December 2017 Hearts v Motherwell 1-0


Walked down to Tynecastle today for the visit of Motherwell. Kyle Lafferty returned to the starting line-up after two matches on the bench, while there were also places for Connor Randall, Don Cowie and Lewis Moore. There was also good news in that Motherwell were unable to field top scorer Lewis Moult due to injury. Since the game I have heard he is moving to Preston when the transfer window opens.

I don't really like games against Motherwell, probably harking back to Texaco Cup games where violence was a regular occurrence on the terraces. This game confirmed my prejudice as both teams huffed and puffed without a great deal of creativity in evidence. Hearts style was not helped as both Jame Walker and Arnaud Djoum had to leave the field due to injury. David Milinkovic replaced Walker early in the game but he has a more direct style with his game being based on pace. In the second half Ross Callachan replaced Djoum but he is more of an attacking midfielder than a creator.

Lewis Moore looked impressive early on. He was on loan to Cowdenbeath last season and scored a few vital goals to help keep them in the SPFL. Hearts scored in 39 mins when  Cowie found Lafferty in the penalty box on the right hand side outside the six yard box. Lafferty appeared to slip but regained his footing and dragged the ball past Cedric Kipre. He then cut inside and shot across the keeper into the left hand side on the goal. From my new seat in the Main Stand the view was excellent for this goal.

In the second half Motherwell game more into the game and Jon McLaughlin in the Hearts goal made a couple of good saves. However it was not a game to remember although Christophe Berra and Souttar were excellent in the centre of the Hearts defence. There was a strange decision late in the game when Hearts replaced substitute Milinkovic with Cole Stockton. I know it was probably done to waste time but I always feel sorry for a substitute who is later replaced. Going back a few (several?) years Tommy Harrison was never the same player when he came on as a substitute early against St Johnstone and then replaced in the second half.

A good victory but more hardworking than inspiring. Walked home after the game happy with result but disappointed with quality of the game.

Teams
Hearts: McLaughlin, M.Smith, Souttar, Berra, Walker, Buaben, Lafferty, Djoum, Cowie, Randall, Moore. 
Subs: Milinkovic, Callachan, Stockton
Motherwell: Griffiths, Tait, Cadden, McHugh, Frear, Bowman, Rose, Fisher, Dunne, Kipre, Campbell. 
Subs: Bigirmana, Turner,  Petravuis

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