Angus Beith admits he was impressed with the attacking display from his side as they defeated Civil Service Strollers 5-2 on Saturday.
The Wee Jambos came from behind to find themselves 3-2 up at the break in a chaotic first half, with goals from Callum Sandilands, Mackenzie Ross and Dominic Plank.
In the second half, Hearts defended well to protect their lead, before adding two goals courtesy of Ryan Duncan and Bobby McLuckie to seal the three points and end 2024 on a high.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Beith said:
“I felt we started the game really poorly. They came and pressed us high as we expected them to do. On the ball, we just didn't nail the basics well enough, we didn't pass it properly enough and didn't exploit the space, which put us under pressure.
“We went 1-0 down with a poor mistake, but the way that we reacted after that was really pleasing. We get the two goals to go 2-1 up, but they pegged us back again, which was a really soft goal for us to concede. But we managed to get to 3-2 which was really pleasing to see how we responded.
“In the second half, again we didn’t start great, but we looked so dangerous every single time we went forward today. That’s been something that we’ve worked on for the last couple of weeks. We managed to put the game to bed with two goals in the second half.
“I’m really pleased for them, and there was so many positives to take from the game, especially after the defeat against Cumbernauld Colts which was so disappointing.”
Beith said that his side improved defensively in the second half to keep Strollers out.
“In the first half, the basics weren’t there in terms of 1v1 defending and making that first contact, we were miles better at that in the second half. We limited their balls into the box, we picked up more second balls and made it more difficult for them across the pitch.”
The manager looked ahead to their reverse fixture against Strollers on Friday 3rd of January at Ainslie Park.
“They’re a good team and they’ve got a good threat in the wide areas and good delivery. We need to stop that and deal with that a bit better. I think it’ll be a slightly different game on the astro. I expect us to pass the ball better and control the game on the ball. We have to prepare for the same level of crosses again.”
“My challenge now to the players is to have that same threat that we had today. We looked so exciting in attack, but we also need to control the game.”
