B Team start 2023 with Colts win

Two first half goals from Bobby McLuckie and Makenzie Kirk put the Wee Jambos on the winning trail in the first half following a dominant performance.
 
The visitors from North Lanarkshire made life difficult for Hearts in the second 45, pulling back a late goal through Macpherson, but it proved to be little more than a consolation effort as Hearts bagged the three points.
 
A near full-strength B Team walked out at Ferguson Park – brimming with confidence after their thrilling victory over high-flying Rangers last time out in their final game of 2022 through in Dumbarton.
 
Hearts were utterly relentless right from the off, with Pollock and Denholm pulling all the strings in midfield. It was little surprise then when the young Maroons raced into the lead after 21 minutes. Pollock and Gordon combined to force a stop from Adamson in the Colts’ goal, before Bobby McLuckie displayed a poacher’s instinct to tuck away the rebound.
 
Makenzie Kirk cut a frustrated figure shortly after, not quite able to get on the end of Forrester’s quick delivery across the face of goal. His time would soon come though, and he brought the ball down brilliantly to send a low drive past Adamson to double Hearts’ lead on the cusp of half-time.
 
The second 45 was a much tighter, tenser affair as Hearts were placed under pressure by Cumbernauld Colts.
 
A combination of stern defending, along with some fine goalkeeping from Harry Stone, kept them at bay for much of the half.
 
Colts would pull one back deep into added time, Ewan Macpherson popping up at the back post to tap home past Stone, but Hearts showed real guts to hold on and manage the game to a triumphant ending.
 
Hearts: Stone, Watson, Darge, Tait, Pollock, Denholm, Kirk (Thomas 58’), Gordon, Forrester, Rathie (Nair 17’), McLuckie (Duncan 80’)
 
Subs: McFarlane, Thomas, Smutek, Duncan, Ross, Nair
 
Cumbernauld: Adamson, McIntyre, Dickson, Home O’Neill (Tade 64’), Hunter, Macpherson, Mortimer (McFarlane 79’), Ballam (Holmes 45’), McKnight, Ewan
 
Subs: Holmes (Tennant 64’), McFarlane, McLellan, Tennant, Tade