5th November 2019 Hearts reserves v Morton reserves 1-2

I was a bit disappointed today as I had intended to go and watch Penicuik against Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup this evening. However it was announced in the morning that due to the torrential rain yesterday the match had been postponed. Hearts were playing Moron in the Reserve league this afternoon at the Oriam and I decided to go along. I had texted Malcolm and he was also going. I left the house at 12.45 and to get a bit of exercise walked along the canal as far as Slateford Station. I got on a 34 bus there and met Alan who was also going to the game accompanied by a young lady who supported Morton. Malcom got on the bus at Longstone and we arrived at the Oriam around 13.40 for the 14.00 kickoff. As usual admission was free and we took our steps in the stand near the halfway line ready for the game although the view from the stand was at times obscured by the low sun over the trees across the park.

Hearts were fielding  young side with little first team experience. The side however included loanees Kelly Mason (Annan Athletic), Daniel Baur (Bonnyrigg), Dean Ritchie (Cumbernauld Colts), Connor Smith (Cowdenbeath) and Lewis Moore (Falkirk) along with substitutes Chris Hamilton (Cowdenbeath) and Leeroy Makovora (Spartans) who were playing first team football on loan. Morton included Brian McLean who has played with Motherwell, Falkirk and Hibs along with former Hearts winger Billy King. King starred in the Hearts side which won the Championship on 2015 but fell out of favour when Hearts regained SPL status and had spells on loan at inverness Caledonian Thistle and Rangers. On expiry of his contract he signed for Inverness, the Dundee United and Gillingham (on loan). he has never really fulfilled his early potential and is now on a short-term deal with Morton until January.

Hearts started well and Moore looked their most dangerous attacker. He had a shot from inside the penalty box saved by the diving Chris Wylie in the Morton goal before firing high over the bar from about twenty-five yards. Ritchie was looking good in the Hearts midfield. He is not an attacking midfielder but wins the ball and then passes well to initiate attacks. I think his loan spell with Cumbernauld in the Lowland League should enhance his game as he gains more experience. The closest to a goal however came from Morton’s trialist centre forward. Hearts defence failed to clear a long ball and it fell to the striker twenty-five yards from goal. His shot was accurate but bounced of the post before being cleared by the Hearts defence. Morton took the lead as the game moved into injury time. A free-kick from the left was missed by Hearts Scott McGill. The ball fell to the trialist who seemed to mishit his shot as it flew up in the air and into the net over keeper Mason’s head. 

Andy Kirk must have had words  wth his side as Hearts came out for the second half looking’s if they were put to win the match quickly. Leo Watson came on at left-back replacing Cameron Logan with Jay Sandison moving across to right-back. In fifty-three minutes Ryan Schiavone, playing his first Reserve league match, cross low from the right across the six yard box. Euan Henderson had an easy task to slot the ball home at the far post. Schiavone then headed wide from a cross from Connor Smith. He then was through one on one against keeper Wylie after collecting a cross from substitute Watson. His shot from around fifteen yards hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out. Morton then went ahead with fifteen minutes left when their trailist ran onto a through ball and outmuscled defender Arron Darge before chipping the ball over onrushing keeper Mason into the net. Hearts pressed for an equaliser with the closest effort coming after a corner which Baur volleyed straight at Wylie before the referee blew the final whistle. As the teams left the field I thought that Morton would be preparing a contract for their trialist who had been the star of the game.

After the game we caught 35 bus in the Avenue back into town. Malcolm got off at Longstone and I continued to Fountainbridge arriving home at around 16.30.

Teams

Hearts: Mason, Logan, Sandison, Darge, Baur, Ritchie, C. Smith, McGill, Henderson, Schiavone, Moore.

Subs: Watson, Hamilton, Makovora.

Morton: Wylie, Hynes, Livingstone, McLean, Watt, McGrattan, King, Lyon, Trialist, Easdale, Eardley.

Subs: Gallacher, Garrity, Doherty.