26th November 2019 Hearts reserves v Kilmarnock reserves 3-2

Game number fifty of this season and it's not even December yet. I will unfortunately miss a few matches in December as I am in Cape Verde on holiday to celebrate Natalie's birthday for two weeks. Left the house just before 13.00 aiming to catch the 13.05 35 bus to the Oriam. However as I arrived at the stop a 34 arrived and I jumped on. Turns out that the buses were being delayed by congestion in the East End due to the closure of York Place for more tramworks. I arrived at the Oriam around 13.25 after checking Twitter to ensure the game was still on as the rain was now pouring down. Walked into the ground with entrance being free as the teams were warning up. I got a wave from Bobby Zlamal in the Hearts goal and shouted to him "It's a miserable day for a game" to which he laughed. Took up position under the cover of the stand roof near to entrance to wait for Malcolm. I was chatting to the Hearts photographer before Malcolm arrived around 13.45. We walked up to the other stand and took a seat in the front row ready for the kickoff as the rain still came down. Sitting behind us was former Hearts full-back Stephen Frail who is currently manager of the Northern Ireland U17 and U19 sides.

Hearts had a strong side on view. Both Bobby Zlamal and Jamie Brandon have been in the first team squad in recent weeks. In the rest of the starting eleven only Scott McGill and Arron Darge had not appeared in the senior side. On the bench both Dean Ritchie and Leeroy Makovora are on loan to Lowland League sides while the other substitutes had only sign their first professional contracts this year. Kilmarnock fielded a young side with only midfielder Ian Wilson having first team experience.

Hearts started well and had a lot of possession without creating any chances however Kilmarnock went ahead after sixteen minutes. A low ball was fired into the penalty area and it appeared that Kyle Connell got a touch to send the ball into the net under Zlamal's body. From where I was sitting it looked as if the keeper had been slow in getting down and I wonder if he has lost a bit of confidence after losing his first team place to Joel Pereira. Hearts suffered a blow near halftime when Darge went down injured on the halfway line after a challenge. Play continued for a short time and the referee waved on the Hearts physio when the ball went out of play. The physio was unable to work his magic and Darge limped off to be replaced by Dean Ritchie. Hearts equalised after forty-three minutes when Kilmarnock lost possession after a throw-in in their own half. Connor Smith intercepted and sent a low ball into the Kilmarnock penalty box. Lewis Moore gathered the ball and went round keeper Curtis Lyle before shooting into the net as defenders rushed back in a vain attempt to cover. Almost immediately from the kick-off Hearts went ahead. Brandon sent a long ball down the right for Aidan Keena to chase. He took the ball towards the byeline and  then squared it across goal for Moore to shoot home from the edge of the six yard box.

Thankfully the rain went off as the second half began and six minutes into the half Hearts went two ahead. A pass found Euan Henderson wide on the right. His pace took him past his marker and towards the byeline. About eight yards to the line he cut the ball back to McGill on the edge of the penalty box. He hit the ball first time low into the net for what I think was his first Hearts goal. Thereafter Kilmarnock came more into the game with substitute Josh Walker looking dangerous on the ball. Kilmarnock pull a goal back when Connell headed a cross back across goal for Kenny Barr to squeeze the ball home at the far post. Again I don’t think Zlamal covered himself in glory as he seemed to hesitate when the cross came over. There was an amusing incident shortly after when the ball went out of play for a throw-in to Kilmarnock after rebounding of their corner flag. The throw should have been taken almost at the flag but they stole about ten yards prior to taking it. Hearts captain Chris Hamilton was not happy about this and screamed some abuse at the assistant referee. The reply was, ‘Mr Hamilton watch your language or you will be in serious trouble’. Kilmarnock had an equaliser ruled off with minutes to go but it was a clear case of offside before the ball hit the net. Another three points for Hearts in the Reserve League.

After the final whistle we walked down to the Avenue where a 35 bus was just drawing away from the terminus. The bus headed towards the main university building as the first stop then back along the Avenue to pick us up. Malcolm got of at Longstone and I continued on to Fountainbridge getting home around 16.15.

Teams

Hearts: Zlamal, Brandon, Logan, Darge, Baur, Hamilton, McGill, C. Smith, Keena, Henderson, Moore.

Subs: Ritchie, Watson, Denholm.

Kilmarnock, Lyle, Barlow, Deveney, Shields, Lynch, Taylor, Barr, Wilson, Connell, Monk, Brindley.

Subs: Walker, Warnock, Russell.