21 July 2023 Heats B 7. Gretna 2008 0

First fixture of the seaonfor Hearts B in the Lowland League tonight. Rangers B have withdrawn from the Lowland League and intend playing friendlier against English and continental sides in the same age level. While I do not like, in principle, B teams playing in senior leagues it does expose the players to playing against older more experienced opponents. Looking at Hearts last season they started the season purely but as the team became more used to both the higher standard and physicality of their opponents results improved as the season progressed. Hearts played their B matches at Whitehall welfare's Ferguson Park last season but have now reached agreement with Spartans to use Ainslie Park for these matches on a Friday night This means that Hutcheson Vale (previously Lothian Thistle Hutcheson Vale) now have to share Saturday fixtures wth Spartans. I left home around 18.30 and caught a 22 bus to Cameron Toll and then walked to Ainslie Park arriving about 19.15. Entry to the ground was free and I was waved through the turnstiles. As I was early I went up to the cafe/bar for a pie and a coffee. I spotted David, Hearts historian, seated at a table and joined him for a chat. He had a match programme and told me that it had been handed to him, free, as he entered the ground. After I finished my snack I wandered down to get a seat in the stand. I stopped at the turnstiles to ask about a programme but was told that they had all been handed out by about 19.00.I took a photo of the white board showing the team line-ups so I knew who was playing.  I wandered along the front of the stand and saw Andy and Gwen and stopped to have a chat with then. As the teams came out I said I would have to find a seat but they said 'no stay here' and moved so I could join them.

Hearts released a number of young players on expiry of their contracts at the end of last season including Sammy Logan, Leo Watson and Aaron Darge. I am sure that they will all be picked up by lower league sides. A number of new players have been signed included sixteen year old James Wilson who also had offers from rangers and a number of English sides. With Steven Naismith not first team technical director Liam Fox has returned to Hearts as B team manager.  He was manager at Dundee United before being sacked after one poor results and I think he is a better coach rather than having a role as a first team manager. Gretna had a poor year last season were saved from relegation by the worse form of local rivals Dalbeattie Star. Last seasons manager Michael McIndoe went on to win more games than the club's three previous seasons combined but he and his coaching staff left at the end of last season. While the side had improved last season fans were not happy as players were being brought in from West and East of Scotland as opposed to using local talent. Bryan Gilfillan, a former Gretna player, was appointed as manager and he has re-built the side after taking over during the summer with a number of new signings including Jay Riley who was with Airdrie, Lewis Bell from Carlisle, on-loan keeper Charlie Cowie from Queens and ex Airdrie front man Joe Dixon.

Hearts started well and scored after six minutes. A pass from Callum Sandilands through on goal although wide on the left. From a tight angle McLuckie shot across goalkeeper Cowie and into the far corner of the net.  A minute later it was two nil when a good passing movement found Mackenzie Kirk free in the penalty box and he fired the ball into the net. Hearts lost Murray Thomas to injury in twelve minutes. He was replaced by Gus Stevenson but play continued to be towards the Gretna goal. Liam McFarlane in the Hearts goal did well to punch away a corner after a Gretna shot was deflected away off a defender. Wilson almost scored his first goal five minutes from halftime but his shot went wide of the post. 

Hearts started the second half strongly and scored after four minutes. Kirk ran onto a through ball and from just inside the penalty box volleyed the dropping ball past Cowie. Minutes later he added another goal when the ball was fired from Wilson towards the near post. The ball went into the goal as Kirk was challenged by a defender. I thought was an own gal but the stadium announcer and the Hearts website credited to the striker. Hearts went five up on the hour mark when a corner eluded everyone at the near post and bounced into the net of Kirk. Again there was suspicion of an own goal but Kirk received the credit. With twenty minutes left it was six. A cross from Rocco Friel found McLuckie at the far post and he shot past Cowie at his near post. The final goal arrived with nine minutes to go and this time Kirk was the provider. He knocked a ball into the penalty area back to Sandilands on the edge of the box. The striker took a touch and shot into the net giving Cowie no chance of making a save. Gretna lost defender Riley after an arial collision just outside the penalty area. He seemed to fall awkwardly and despite receiving treatment was forced to leave to leave the field with what looked like a dislocated shoulder. The final whistle blew shortly afterwards with Hearts earning the three points. I fear for Gretna as they looked a poor side and may follow local rivals Dalbeattie in being relegated leaving no South of Scotland sides in the Lowland League.

After the match I walked with Andy and Gwen through the car park and then headed up to Ferry Road. For once I was lucky with bus times as a27 was due in seven. I caught the bus and was home around 22.30 after a pleasing night for a Hearts fan.  

Teams 

Hearts: McFarlane, Dall, McLuckie, Wilson, Sandilands, Kirk, Thomas, Gordon, Nair, Rathie, Friel,
Subs:Stevenson, Drysdale, Duncan, Ross, Chisholm

Gretna: Cowie, Short, Simpson, Caffrey, Riley, Potts, Ivison, Armstrong, Dixon, Trialist, Neill

Subs: Trialist, Cumming, Trialist