Angus Beith said “he couldn’t be prouder” of his young Hearts B side as they secured back-to-back wins in the Lowland League for the first time this campaign with a 2-1 victory over Bo’ness United.
The Wee Jambos secured all three points courtesy of first-half strikes from Jaedon Donkor and Stanley Wilson, and showed fantastic defensive resilience in the second 45 to get themselves over the line in Pilton.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Beith said:
"That was the message before the game, getting two wins in a row for the first time this season, so delighted they managed to do that. It's not necessarily the way we would have wanted to do it.
“We would have liked to have had more control in the second-half, create more chances and play better football.
“But I think that the resolve that they're showing, particularly in the last kind of four games, because I saw it against Trenent as well, and we obviously won against Stirling Uni. That's three wins in the last four for us, which is a brilliant run of form.
“When you consider the amount of boys that are out on loan as well that have got a lot of experience in this league, I'm just delighted to see the personality shining through, and we're finding a way to win at the moment. So I couldn't be prouder of them tonight.”
Beith reflected on the performance of 16-year-old winger Jaedon Donkor, who grabbed his first goal in maroon for the B Team on Friday night.
Donkor, signed from Manchester United’s academy last summer, has continued to impress for Hearts after a fantastic second half display in the 2-1 win over Linlithgow Rose last weekend.
“I’m delighted. We've been saying in those transition moments that he can get up the pitch quicker and get in the box more so it’s brilliant to see him in the box.
“He gets his rewards and it was a good calm composed finish as well when it fell to him. So I’m buzzing for him and I think he's learning that in these types of games he might only get like five or six moments, maybe not even as much as that compared to some 19s games where he's getting lots of 1v1s.
“He's having to make the most of them when they come and be really clinical and when he does get them.”
It was also a night to remember for 16-year-old midfielder Stanley Wilson who also netted his first strike for Hearts B, having also started the match with his twin brother, Alfie.
Beith continued: “I don't know if you saw the reaction of the bench and the boys, but they were absolutely buzzing because Stanley struggles to score in training.
“So there was an incredible reaction when he scored, maybe a slight suspicion of a free kick, but we'll take it. He calmly slotted it away and I’m delighted for him.
“To see the smile on his face, the smile on the boys' face as well when he scored. It was a great feeling and a bit of banter as well afterwards in the changing room, which was nice.”
“We'd love to see more examples of what we saw in the first half. The first goal is magnificent, how we've cut through them. I think we had a moment like two or three minutes before that as well where we played through them brilliantly. We want to see more of that.
Beith reflected on the progression of his Hearts B side in recent months and said his side want to emulate the strongest traits of the first team.
“I think we lose that game possibly seven, eight weeks ago. I think Clydebank is an example where we concede a late goal, Strollers away, we were 2-0 up at half-time and then we ended up drawing that match.
“If I look at the first team this year, I think they've obviously got loads of quality, but I think they've got personality and resolve in like bucketfuls. The lads are starting to demonstrate some of those qualities which you need to be able to play at a club like Hearts.”
The manager was pleased with the defensive resilience of his side, and reflected on the performance of Hearts defender Lucas Smith.
“He gives the ball away really cheaply, two or three times. Obviously he needs to do better and he knows that. But the resolve that I'm seeing from Lucas, I think previously he’d then make mistakes off the back of that.
“But I thought his defensive display was top tonight. Defended the box brilliantly, didn't let those mistakes affect him. So I think that's what we're seeing more often now, which is so pleasing.”
Beith described the jubilant scenes in the changing room after the game. He said he wants his side to relish those moments and to keep building momentum from now until the end of the season.
“It's a brilliant feeling. Obviously we just got a small slice of it there as coaches and staff, but an unbelievable feeling having the tunes on, seeing smiling faces and being able to even have hugs and real positivity after the game, and I think it helps to build togetherness and team spirit.
“So long may that continue, and we've got an opportunity to go and make it three from three next week here against Broxburn, so we’re looking forward to that."
