Hearts B picked up another victory in the Lowland League on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Albion Rovers 2-1 at Cliftonhill, thanks to goals from James Wilson and Makenzie Kirk.
There were three changes from the midweek trip to Brechin. Luke Rathie missed out through suspension, Callum Flatman through injury and Ethan Drysdale dropped to the bench. In came Bailey Dall, Murray Thomas and Kai Smutek.
It was a first half of very few chances and the closest opportunity fell to Makenzie Kirk after just five minutes. The ball was threaded down the right channel for the Hearts number 10, and from a tight angle, he forced a good stop from Ross Connolly in the Rovers goal.
Both sides had spells of possession, but neither goalkeeper was called into action as the final ball continued to evade both teams, resulting in a scoreless opening 45.
Half-time: Albion Rovers 0-0 Hearts B
Much like at Brechin on Tuesday, Liam Fox’s half-time words clearly had the desired effect as Hearts were ahead inside the opening minute of the second period.
Bobby McLuckie found space down the left and after Callum Sandilands and Makenzie Kirk were denied by Connolly, James Wilson was on hand to tap home the rebound and put the Wee Jambos ahead.
Rovers didn’t waste time in pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but that opened the door for the men in maroon to hit them on the break and Hearts squandered chances to do just that.
Three huge chances came and went after 65 minutes when firstly, Kirk was denied by Connolly, who spread himself well to deny Sandilands on the rebound.
An even better chance arrived just two minutes later, McLuckie crossed for Kirk but from close range, he scooped his effort over the bar.
Twelve minutes from time, Hearts did double their lead. Sandilands was brought down in the box and Kirk stepped up to find the bottom corner from the penalty spot.
Rovers ensured a nervy ending when Adam Fernie bundled home after a good initial stop from Liam McFarlane, but Hearts held on to take all three points back to Edinburgh.
Albion Rovers: Connolly, Fernie, Trialist (Trialist, 56), Fagan ©, Wilson, McMahon, Joseph, McCaw, Duncan, Duffy, Okosun (Paterson, 80)
Subs: Trialist, Trialist, McMenemy, Walker, Paterson, Tran, Henderson
Hearts: McFarlane, Dall (Drysdale, 80), McLuckie (Ross, 69), Wilson, Sandilands, Kirk ©, Thomas (Gordon, 46), Nair, Duncan, Friel, Smutek
Subs: McConnell, Stevenson, Gordon, Drysdale, Ross, Chisholm, Gillies
