Bo'ness beaten in season finale
23 April 2023After a tight and closely contested first-half, Adam Forrester smashed the deadlock on 74 minutes before Callum Sandilands notched right at the death to sew up a fine three points for the Wee Jambos on the final day.
With first choice goalkeeper Harry Stone ruled out pre-match with concussion, John McLaughlan handed a start to Liam McFarlane in the only notable change for the young Maroons.
After suffering a bruising 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture back in August, it was little surprise to see the Wee Jambos start the game with a feeling of weary caution. Bo’ness asked the question of the Hearts defence in the opening exchanges – testing Liam McFarlane on numerous occasions to no avail.
Sandilands, Finlay Pollock and Makenzie Kirk all carved out good chances for Hearts in the opening 45, but it was Adam Forrester who had the best – watching on in frustration as his cute finish at the back post was tipped to safety by a wonderful reaction stop from Musa Digaba in the BU goal.
Into the second 45 and, after a war of attrition that saw both teams’ tempers flare at various points, Hearts started to gain the upper hand and looked the more confident and aggressive side in possession.
Forrester, who had already seen several chances go astray for him, finally got the rub of the green in front of goal – pouncing on Pollock’s cutback to catapult Hearts into a well-deserved lead.
Deep into added time, the result of Bo’ness man Lennon Walker being stretchered off earlier in the second, Callum Sandilands spearheaded a sweeping move up the park that culminated in a sweet finish and a second goal of the afternoon.
All in all, a fine day’s work as the curtain came down on the B-Team’s maiden campaign in the Lowland League.
Hearts: McFarlane, Neilson, Rathie, Forrester, Dall (Flatman 85’), Pollock, Gordon, Tait, Sandilands, Kirk, McLuckie (Hambrook 79’)
Subs: Paris, Flatman, Duncan, Hambrook, Chisholm, Nair, Crookston