9th April 2022 Hearts 3 Hibs 1
The aperitif before the main course. The SPL derby against Hibs at Tynecastle today before the Scottish Cup semi-final between the two clubs at Hampden next Saturday. After a early lunch I left home at 13.30 to go for a walk before heading to Tynecastle via a walk along the canal. I had been out in the morning to Waverley Station to collect my train tickets for Hampden next week but felt zi needed some more exercise. I finally arrived at Tynecastle and used my season ticket for entry. With the easing of Covid restrictions there was no need to show vaccination status prior to entry. I had received the match programme by post this morning. There was an interesting article about Hearts American tour in 1971 where Eric Carruthers, like me an Oxgangs dweller, scored five goals in a friendly against Montreal Olympic. My best goal scoring performance ever was a double. I took my seat in the Main Stand and tried to get into the Futbology app to record my attendance. Both the 4G and Wi-Fi signals at Tynecastle are poor and I eventually gave up. I then felt a tap on my shoulder and turned round to see Chris, a fellow Jambo and groundhopper. He normally sits behind the goals but had got Main Stand tickets for todays match. After a chat he moved back to his seat higher up in the stand.
Hearts made o e change from last weeks starting line-up at Ross County with Nat Atkinson returning in place of Aaron McEneff who dropped to the bench. U18 striker Mackenzie Kirk, son of Brechin City manager and former Hearts, Boston and Northern Ireland striker Andy Kirk retained his place on the bench following a cameo appearance and first top team appearance last week. Gary Mackay-Steven returned to the bench following a broken hand. He did however need to wear a protective splint to prevent further damage. Hibs, under manager Shaun Maloney, need a win today to reach the top six after the SPL split. However they have been struggling to score goals since the turn of the year since Martin Boyle was transferred to a Saudi Arabian side in a multi million pound deal. With Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge out injured young Norwegian Elias Melksersen looks their main goal threat.
The same started badly for Hearts with Hibs going ahead in three minutes. Harry Clarke collected the ball in a midfield position on the left and sent a pass forward to Drey Wright. The winger cut in to the edge of the penalty area and shot at goal. The ball seemed to take a slight deflection on the way towards the net and bounced in of the far post. I think I should publicly apologise to the two ladies sitting on either side of me for my language as the goal went in ! Hearts just seemed to be devoid of ideas and Melksersen’s pace was causing the Hearts defence problems. After about twenty minutes Hearts, or maybe just Barrie McKay, appeared to wake up and the match changed. Firstly a ball from the left allowed Liam Boyce a clear run on goal. His first touch was poor, although he may have thought he was offside, and allowed Matt Macey the chance to get down and save. McKay then sent a wonderful through ball for Ellis Simms to have a clear run on goal. The striker attempted to lob the ball over the diving Macey but the ball was deflected away for a corner. A cross from the left from McKay was then headed against he woodwork by Nat Atkinson. Hibs by this time we’re struggling to stop Hearts and several players went down with ‘injuries’ to break up the play. A tactic manager Maloney probably learned in his time in Celtic. Eventually as the half moved into injury time Hearts equalised. Alex Cochrane passed forward to Simms who headed towards the byeline on the left. He held off two defenders and pulled the ball back towards Andy Halliday. From about ten yards out the midfielder fired a shot across goal and into the net of the far post.
Hearts took the lead two minutes after the break. McKay took a corner on the left which was headed out to the right to Andy Halliday. He passed infield to to Peter Haring who crossed the ball to the far post. Stephen Kingsley ran in to volley the ball in the net from six yards. This was his sixth goal of the season, which is not bad going for a defender, albeit he is a free-kick specialist. Halliday’s first half goal was his fifth of the season and in fifty-eight minutes he drew level with his team-mate. Alex Cochrane broke down the left and passed the ball inside to McKay on the edge of the penalty area. McKay ran across the box with the ball before back heeling a pass to Halliday. The midfielder fired a low shot into the corner of Macey’s net for a 3-1 lead. Hearts continued to dominate the match and both Cochrane and Simms missed good chances to increase the lead. The only downside for Hearts was that both Halliday and Atkinson had to be replaced due to injury. Hopefully the pair will be fit for the semi-final next week, The final whistle blew and confirmed Hearts will finish third in the SPL while Hibs will have to play out the season in the bottom six.
I walked home happy after watching an excellent display from Hearts, albeit they took time to settle into the game. Hibs however were far from a good side and with only one shot on target during the ninety minutes it is not difficult to see where their problems lie.
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