17th August 2021 Edinburgh City 0 Hearts Colts 1

 

Another visit to Ainslie Park tonight. This time for the SPFL Trust Trophy match between Edinburgh City and Hearts Colts. Another bright sunny evening and I left home at around 18.30 to walk down to Ainslie Park. After stalling through the leafy woodland I arrived at the ground at 19.25. I had again bought an electronic ticket through Fanbase and showed my phone at the turnstile for scanning as entry to the ground. The Fanbase app must be a great boon to lower league clubs as it provides income, security by not taking cash, and customer information for track and trace. In the ground I paid £3 for a programme which as always was a mine of information. City have only played Hearts three times in a competitive match and have yet to score a goal let alone win a game. As I was walking towards a seat in the stand I met Chris. We have been following each other on Facebook for some time now due to a mutual interest in football and Hearts in particular. We had both been at Dunbar on Saturday but did not realise this and had not met up. This was our first meeting and we had a chat about football. 

SPL sides are permitted to field their 'Colts' sides in the SPFL Trust Trophy although one player over the age of twenty-one is permitted. U21 players out on loan can also be recalled to their parent club to play in this competition. This lead to the ridiculous situation were three Dundee players on loan to Peterhead were called to player Dundee against Peterhead in a SPPFL Trust Trophy match. Hearts over-age player was defender Mihai Popescu who has been told he can leave the club if he can find another club to take him on. Euan Henderson and Connor Smith who both have first team experience were included in the Hearts side along with loanees Sean Doherty (Brechin), Arron Darge (Gala Fairydean) and Scott McGill (Airdrie). City had reshuffled their side to give some squad members a run out although keeper Brian Schwake retained his place after a fine display against Stenhousemuir. Scott Reekie, Stephen Bronsky, Lee Hamilton and Michael McFarlane all came back to the starting line-up.

The game started with both teams passing the ball well around the field but other than a McGill effort over the bar there was little to trouble other keeper. In twenty minutes Popescu sent a long pass from his own half out to Docherty on the right. The full-back carried the ball forward and then sent a low pass into the penalty area towards Kirk. The forward's shot was blocked by the body of Bronksky just out side the six yard box. Minutes later Hearts were awarded a free-kick about ten yards into the City half towards the right hand touchline. Smith floated the ball into the penalty area towards Popescu. The centre-half hit a low shot on the turn which Schwake in the City goal did well to get down and block. City were then forced into a change with callum Crane being replaced by former Hearts player Callum Tapping. Tapping helped create City’s best chance of the half with a through ball to See. The forward managed to take the ball past Hearts keeper Liam McFarlane but was forced wide. His resultant cross from the byeline was diverted off this own near post by Hearts defender Darge before being cleared. Hearts took the lead just before the halftime whistle when a short pass found Popescu just inside the City penalty box. The defender was then clearly fouled from behind and the referee awarded a penalty. Henderson stepped up and shot into the right hand corner of the net as Schwake dived towards the left. 

City seemed to improve as the second half began and captain Robbie McIntyre had a good run down the left. His initial cross was blocked by the Hearts defence but the ball was returned to the full-back. His second effort had McFarlane scrambling towards his far post before the ball was cleared. Ouzy See then had a run across the Hearts penalty box and looked for a penalty as he appeared to stumble. The referee however was of the opinion that there was little contact and waved play on. Bronsky then headed wide after Popescu missed a cross from a corner kick. During the second half the superior strength of the City side seemed to trouble the younger Hearts team but they defended well and looked dangerous on the break. Kirk fired wide after a good movie involving McGiill and Denholm. As the game drew to a close Kirk chased a long ball down the right. He collected the ball near the byeline but was bundled over by Bronsky with the referee awarding a free-kick. The defender was not happy and indicated his displeasure to the referee who respond “What’s wrong with you you have been moaning all night”. Bronsky continued to voice his thoughts despite another warning from the referee who finally lost patience and booked him from dissent. I cannot understand why players cannot sit up after a warning knowing that they are on the referees radar. This was Kirk's last involvement of the game as he was replaced by Callum Hambrook as Hearts played out the final minutes.

After the game I walked up to Ferry Road to catch a bus home. Yet again I had just missed the 27 so I walked along to Crewe Toll. There I caught a 29 too Princes Street before a 34 home arriving back at 22.10. Another good game with hearts deservedly through to the next round of the Trophy.

Teams

Edinburgh City; Schwake, Reekie, McIntyre, Hamilton, Bronsky, Jardine, Hilton, McFarlane, See, Handling, Crane.

Subs: Tapping, Brian, Fraser

Hearts: McFarlane, Doherty, Watson, Darge, Popescu, Rathie, Smith, Denholm, Kirk, McGill, Henderson.

Subs: Thomas, Hambrook.