11th August 2023 Hearts B 1 Cowdenbeath 2

 

Another match at Ainslie Park with Hearts B taking on Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League.after any early meal I left home and caught a 22 bus around 18.20. The bus arrived at CreweToll around 19.00 where I got off and walked along Ferry Road towards Ainslie Park. I arrived around 19.15 and headed to the cafe for a coffee and a sausage roll as I was a bit early arriving. After I finished my snack I wandered down to touchline side where I met Grant. We were having a chat until the rain came on when we decided to move into the stand to watch the match.

The Hearts squad included Liam McFarlane, Luke Rathie and James Wilson all of whom had been on the bench for the first team Europa League qualifier against Rosenberg on Thursday. Aiden Denholm who came on as a substitute on Thursday was not included in the squad. Hearts B are currently second in the Lowland League with ten points from four matches. Another three points tonight would put them top of the table. Cowdenbeath, under the management of former Hearts player Calum Elliot, have completely rebuilt their side over the close season. Surprisingly however their two most experienced players Douglie Hill (formerly with Alloa, Brechin, Kelty Hearts and Cowdenbeath)  and Kevin Smith (formerly with East Fife and Bonnyrigg) were not included i the squad for this match. However Jamie Doherty and excellent player at this level and former Edinburgh City player Lucas Berry were in the squad.

Hearts had the first chance of he game when Bobby McLuckie broke through the offside trap and headed clear down the left. Cowdenbeath keeper Craig Hepburn rush from his penalty area and floored McLuckie near the touchline. Hepburn received a yellow card for his challenge bt Hearts were unable to profit from the free-kick. Cowdenbeath then came into the game and McFarlane did well to push away a shot from Docherty. he then stopped efforts from Berry and Docherty again before conceding a goal after twenty-six minutes. A cross from the left found Josh Jack unmarked in the penalty area and he sent a good header past McFarlane for the opening goal. Just after the half hour mark McFarlane was beaten but Jack's shot From just inside the centre circle hit the bar and bounced away to safety. Hearts equalised five minutes from half-time when Wilson broke down the left and his low cross was turned into the net by Bailey Hall from close range. 

Minutes into the second half Cowdenbeath too the lead. McFaralne and Jack collided as both went for a high ball into the penalty area. The referee deemed McFarlane challenge was a foul and Docherty stopped up to send McFarlane he wrong way as he dispatched the penalty kick. Hearts then had most of the ball but were unable to create any clear chances until the game drifted to a conclusion. Rocco Friel sent a cross towards the far post but McKenzie Kirk headed wide before Hepburn managed to block a point blank shot from the striker in stoppage. In the last minute Cowdenbeath lost full-back Andy Rodden who was sent off for an off the ball incident. However the Fife side managed to hold on and inflict Hearts B first defeat of the season.

After the final whistle Grant and I walked through the car-park and up towards Ferry Road. Grant as parked outside the ground and headed off while I walked up to Ferry Road and then along to Crewe Toll. I caught a 19 bus to the West End and then a 10 to leamington arrived home around 22.15 after watching another good match. 

 

Teams

Hearts B:McFarlane, Dall, McLuckie, Wilson, Sandilands, Kirk, Gordon, Nair, Duncan, Rathie, Friel.

Subs: Ross, Stevenson, Crookston.

Cowdenbeath: Hepburn, Walker, Rodden, Jordan, McNab, A. McDonald, Butterworth, Berry, Jack, M. McDonald, Docherty.

Subs: Chalmers, McPherson, Tait.