Hearts B were defeated 3-1 by Bo’ness United at Newton Park on Saturday.
Despite Alfie Osborne getting on the scoresheet for the Wee Jambos, a goal in each half from Kieran Mitchell and a late Roan Fitzpatrick free-kick sealed the victory for the hosts.
Bo’ness went on the attack straight away. In the third minute, full-back Shaun Brown drove down the left wing and into the box and hit a low strike, but it was straight at Jack Lyon in goal for Hearts.
Not long after, Roan Fitzpatrick fed through attacker Kieran Mitchell into the box from the free-kick at the edge of the area, he hit a first time strike which was a comfortable take for Lyon.
Hearts got forward 20 minutes in. Captain Kai Smutek played it to Aiden Haddow in midfield who played a great ball round the corner for Jaydon Donkor who dribbled well into the box but couldn’t sort his feet to get a shot away. It came to Ross at the edge who had a pop but it was blocked.
But in the 23rd minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Jordan Armstrong was brought down in the box. Kieran Mitchell stepped up and scored into the top left corner for 1-0.
On 36 minutes, Alfie Osborne played a brilliant ball to set Haddow down the left and into the box. His right footed effort was cleared as far as tJames who hit one at the edge of the box which was blocked, and despite a penalty shout for Hearts, the referee waved play on.
Half-time: Bo’ness United 1-0 Hearts
The Jam Tarts looked to improve in the second 45.
Connor Dow had a decent opportunity to get Hearts level from Owen Muirhead’s low cross from the right. The striker got the flick on but he couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Hearts found their leveller in the 61st minute. Haddow played it to Alfie Osborne at the edge of the area who took a touch before placing one into the bottom right corner for 1-1.
But in the 74th minute the hosts got themselves back in front as Mitchell was played through on goal in plenty of space, and showed composure to slot home into the bottom left corner for 2-1.
Bo’ness got their third in the 86th minute as Roan Fitzpatrick’s free kick from the left missed everyone and crashed off the back post and in for 3-1.
Ultimately, it was an afternoon to forget for the Wee Jambos as Bo’ness took all three points in the Lowland League.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Angus Beith said:
“I felt like our quality let us down today. We had some good moments getting to the final third and then the last pass let us down. It was a wee bit too easy for them to take the ball off us in and around the box and we didn't fashion enough clear-cut quality chances, from crosses, fast attacks. So that was disappointing for us because I think we got into some good areas and we never really hurt them enough or showed enough quality.
Despite the defeat, it was a proud moment for Jaydon Donkor who made his first start for the B Team. Beith was pleased for the young attacker.
“I'm delighted that he's made his first start and that he's finally playing games because it's been tough for him. This was a great learning experience for him. Yeah, we talked through the week about what this game might feel like for him. I don't think they were as aggressive as I was expecting them to be. and we chatted with Jaydon about how that might look for him, like they might leave a couple in on you, especially if you get a bit of early success, so be ready for that.
“It didn't really happen from today when he had his 1v1 moments, which he's normally so dangerous in, but I think it's a new experience, new environment from first time playing against men, because he played against Celtic B last time.
“For me it's a really good learning opportunity for him and I know that I'm very confident that he'll take loads from this and he'll kick on and he'll get better next game and then he'll get better next game.
“I said to them after the game, they (Bo’ness) were very streetwise as these teams often are, and they broke the game up and they slowed it down. I think we can add that to our game, and it was just a reminder, just keep improving that from our perspective, recognising the moments where we maybe buy a foul or, you know, we're screaming for a penalty like they were and they got the penalty. Sometimes these things can just change the referee’s decision making.
“But the main message was, don't look at the ref, make sure you look at yourself first, and I think our quality across the pitch could have been better. So that's the message for the group going into the next game.”
Bo’ness United: Wallace, Fitzpatrick, Brown, Irving, Davidson, Armstrong, Hodge, Johnston ©, Watson, Rowe, Mitchell
Subs: TRIALIST, Grant, Schiavone, MacAulay, Stevenson, Nimaga, Andrews
Hearts: Lyon, Crookston (Banks, 84’), James, Smutek ©, Smith, Osborne, Ross (Sanders, 79’), Dow, Haddow (Robb, 71’), Muirhead, Donkor
Subs: Tas, Radcliffe, Banks, Sanders, Kelly, Robb, Mulholland
