1st October 2019 Hearts reserves v Ross County reserves 2-1

Reserve League fixtures have started again following the international break and headed out to the Oriam to watch Hearts take on Ross County. Caught a 300 bus to Sighthill and then changed to a 34, arriving at the ground at 13.30 for the 14.00. Was chatting to Alan in the ground when Malcolm arrived and Malcolm and I moved to seats in the stand at the end Hearts were attacking in the first half as Alan joined some friends in the central area of the stand. 

Surprisingly that Hearts side today lacked first team experience. Other than last seasons number one goalkeeper, Bobby Zlamal, I doubt if the rest of the squad totalled more ethan twenty first team starts between them. Of the [layers currently out on loan Chris Hamilton (on loan to Cowdenbeath), Alex Petrov (Clyde) and Lewis Moore (Falkirk) started with Connor Smith (Cowdenbeath) and Leroy Makovora (Spartans) on the bench. Ross County by contrast fielded seven players who are included in their first team squad in the side. The team included goalkeeper Jack Rudy (formerly with Bury and Wolves), Lee Erwin (Motherwell and Leeds), Josh Mullin (Livingston), Lewis Spence (Dunfermline), Brian Graham (Hibs and St Johnstone), Harry Paton (Hearts) and Simon Power (on loan from Norwich). 

The game started with a bang as County went ahead in the third minute. Graham got his head to a  cross from Erwin from the right hand side. The header did not seem overly powerful and the diving Zlamal got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball ending up in the net. Hearts however equalised with a few minutes when Jay Charleston-King made a strong run from midfield. His through ball found Moore racing into the penalty box. The winger touched the ball round the diving Ruddy and from a tight angle hit a shot into the net from around six yards out. Hearts took the lead in the tenth minute when a one-two between Euan Henderson and Cameron Logan sent the full-back clear in the box before being tripped by a defender. Skipper Petkov grabbed the ball when the referee pointed to the penalty spot and made no mistake with a strong shot into the left hand side of the goal. County lost keeper Ruddy after twenty-five minutes when he limped off after making a diving save to be replaced by Jamie Stephen. The rest of the half was mainly played in the Hearts half of the field with Zlamal making a couple of good saves. Shortly before halftime he made an excellent stop diving to hold a powerful shot from Paton.

Zlamal was again in action early in the second half with another save from a shot by Mullin. County continued to press and Graham headed over after a cross from Paton. After a break by Hearts Moore made a great run down the left and appeared to be tripped just outside the penalty area. Referee Addy disagreed and booked Moore for diving. County’s best chance came with about ten minutes to go when Graham nodded a cross down towards Erwin. Hamilton dived win to block the forward’s shot and was injured in the process. The defender recovered after treatment and Hearts had a chance to clinch the game in the last few minutes. Smith had a run down the right and passed the ball into the penalty area. Moore took the ball away from Makovora as the substitute was poised to shoot and the wingers own effort was straight at keeper Stephen. Hearts however held on for their fourth win in succession in the Reserve League.

After the game Malcolm and I walked down to The Avenue and caught a 35 bus back into town. Malcolm got offf at Longstone and I continued home arriving back around 16.30.

Teams

Hearts: Zlamal, Logan, Sandison, Hamilton, Watson, Darge, Petrov, McGill, Henderson, Charleston-King, Moore.

Subs: C. Smith, Makovora

Ross County: Ruddy, Kelly, Reid, Fraser, Murray, Erwin, Mullin, Spence, Graham, Paton, Power.

Subs: Stephen, Williamson, MacDonald