Goslar 08 1-2 Hearts
From Hearts News in the Osterfeldstadion

Hearts beat Goslar 2-1 in this evening's first tour match against regional side Goslar 08, here in Germany.

The early exchanges saw the returning Jose Goncalves cleaning up on the edge of the box with a tidy header back to Number One Janos Balogh in the second minute. Suso and Dawid Kacharski were both included in the Hearts starting line and looked lively in the early stages with the young Spaniard showing he's keen to take on players down the right.

It was ten minutes before Hearts had their first chance against the German regional team. Michael Stewart shooting harmlessly into the wall after a foul on Elliot on the edge of the box. The early action never reached the heights of the thrillseekers on the nearby fairground rides but both teams seemed keen to play the ball to feet.

After quarter of an hour Suso won a corner on the right after good work but the resultant corner failed to meet the head of one of the advancing Hearts central defenders. A quick corner for Goslar then ensured Balogh saw his first real action which he dealt with firmly by fisting away a twisting cross.

On-trial striker David Witteveen showed some nice touches but was crowded out on the edge of the box. The tall Austrian was perhaps fortunate a minute later to win a free kick when nudged off the ball but Obua's swerving shot was met by the Goslar keeper. Elliot then showed excellent control a minute later but a one-two with Witteveen failed to deliver a goal.

However after 23 minutes Podoksak put Goslar in the lead after he won a duel with Goncalves and his right footed shot curled into the right hand side of the net despite the best efforts of Balogh. It could have been two, five minutes later but Ndjook chose to shoot from range rather than pass to Podoksak in the clear.

The Germans were to regret that only a minute later when Obua swept home a low drive after Elliot squared to him from the right. And then the Jambos took the lead after superb work by the industrious Michael Stewart after 36 minutes. Picking up the ball inside his own half he drove at the Goslar defence played a neat one-two with Suso who placed the ball in his path for the midfielder to drill the ball into the net.

A completely changed team took the field in the second half. Novikovas was active on the right early on and Witteveen was joined in attack by Gary Glen. Kucharski was also retained to allow him further exposure to manager Csaba Laszlo. Luksa looked assured on the right assisted by Craig Thomson and Hearts played some attractive football early on.

Goslar looked to the channels to sculpt an equaliser but Jason Thomson was commanding in the air and in blocking a couple of half chances. Witteveen then tried from 20 yards for Hearts after good hounding by Novikovas in midfield but his shot was gathered by Bormann in the Goslar goal.

The Germans were now conceding free kicks for a mix of pettiness and cynicism. Craig Thompson, one of a number of last year's U19s that travelled, struck a good free kick through the Goslar wall after 60 minutes but again the keeper saved low to his left. Jason Thompson then floated an excellent cross but Witteveen just failed to meet it full on. Hearts were in control at this stage and creating chances. Gary Glen was unlucky not to nick the ball from the Goslar keeper after good work by Craig Thompson on the right.

Cinikas then replaced Witteveen for the final change of the game. Hearts were almost caught out when a rasping shot from Ridder just went wide of MacDonald's right hand post.

The game was scrappy at this stage and had every bit the look of an early round Scottish Cup tie with heavy challenges and a real desire to win on both sides. There is no doubt that some of the challenges witnessed by the 200 crowd would have seen yellow had this been a 'competitive' game.

Ian Black then almost scored on his debut with a cooly struck low shot but the keeper again was his equal sprawling to his right to push the ball wide for a corner. Cinicik then broke from his own 18 yard line and sent in Novikovas whose shot was blocked for a corner.

Goslar 08: Bormann; Markay, Dos-santos, Fisher, Halstenberg, Lipke, Ndjook, Padoksak, Ridder, Schemflug, Lauenstein. Subs: Binder, Dahlm, Andres, Mohlembrod, Macpen, Szweda, Ulisik

Hearts: Balogh; Jonsson, Kucharski, Goncalves; Wallace; Suso, Stewart, Palazuelos, Obua; Elliot, Witteveen. Subs all used: MacDonald; C Thomson, McGowan, J Thompson; Mrowiec, Black, Luksa, Cinikas; Novikovas, Glen

Referee: Sebastian Rabe

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