By Bill Smith
The B Team, following their blip in the Lowland League match just over a week ago, returned to winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 win against Edinburgh University at Peffermill on Saturday afternoon.
Liam Fox made one change from the side that lost narrowly to The University of Stirling in the previous match, Adam Forrester returned from his brief first team substitute appearance at Hampden, replacing Harry Gordon, who in turn started among the substitutes.
The young Jambos began proceedings on the front foot camped in their opponents half, but it was Liam McFarlane the first ‘keeper in action with a smart save, and for all the pressure from the visitors’ they never created anything at all.
This was to change on the fifteenth minute mark however when Callum Sandilands—making his 50th Lowland League appearance for the club---seized on a loose ball to net from around twelve yards, and sixty seconds later Makenzie Kirk latched onto a through ball, rounded ‘keeper Lewis Gallacher before netting.
On 34 minutes the contest was put to bed when a defensive mistake led to Bobby McLuckie steering home the Jambos’ third goal. Kirk almost added another just before the break but Gallacher spread himself well to rob the striker of yet another match ball. This incident came during the hosts best period of the match.
Hearts continued on top after the break with a 20 yard Murray Thomas free-kick clipping the top of the crossbar on its way over, and two changes were made by the visitors before the fourth goal came on 56 minutes with the move of the match between Forrester and substitute James Wilson, who set up Kirk to net from a few yards.
On 66 minutes Gallacher had a brilliant save from a McLuckie close range shot but was injured in the incident that led him being replaced by Samuel Smith. I have watched the game for almost seventy years and have seen some fine goalkeeping displays but this one took some beating.
I counted at least ten absolute amazing saves from Mac Ross, Wilson, Sandilands, and at least five from Kirk, that included a penalty, that left our marksman shaking his head.
Liam Fox was delighted with the result and the attitude of the players following the blip from the previous weeks. Conditions both underfoot and a first half blazing sun, believe or not, made conditions tricky, but the boys coped well. We may have scored a few more but their sub ‘keeper was something else.
EDIN UNI: Gallacher (Smith 66); McGinley, Antoniuk, Maskrey ,R Murray, Garrad, Henry (Gray 57), L Murray (Cook 25), Taylor, Dick, Mail;
HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN “B” McFarlane, Forrester, Drysdale (Dall 76), Tait, Rathie, Nair, Thomas (Wilson 54), Duncan (H Gordon 54), Kirk, Sandilands, McCluckie (Ross 70);
Subs; McConnell G/K, Dall, Wilson, H Gordon, Smutek, Ross;
To make it a good week-end Hearts U18’s beat Motherwell 3—0 in a League match at the Oriam on Friday night. Goalscorers were Owen Muirhead and Kai Smutek.
We are trying hard to keep you informed about the Under 18’s in the future.
