Hearts Women secured all three points under the lights at Ainslie Park on Wednesday evening, claiming a 2–1 victory over Montrose.
First-half goals from Carly Johns and LJ Hope proved enough for the Jambos, who stood firm against a late second-half push from the visitors.
Manager Andy Thomson fielded a youthful starting XI, handing a first start to LJ Hope as part of five changes from Sunday’s fixture at Broadwood. Lauren Wade, Mariana Speckmaier, Mairead Fulton, Kayla Jardine, and Monica Forsyth made way for Hope, Erin Rennie, Keri Halliday, Jenny Smith, and Toni Campbell.
Ellen Dolan had the first opportunity of the night, coming agonisingly close to an early opener. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 13th minute when Carly Johns tapped home from close range following a low cross from Jenny Smith.
Hearts controlled the rest of the opening period, keeping Montrose quiet while creating several chances to extend their advantage. Erin Rennie tested the goalkeeper from distance before Jess Husband fired an effort over the bar.
In the 28th minute, Hope doubled the lead—becoming the youngest senior goalscorer in Hearts Women’s history in a landmark moment for the club.
Half-time: Hearts 2–0 Montrose
Montrose grew into the contest after the restart, applying sustained pressure as Hearts struggled to replicate their first-half fluency. Talitha Robb pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 70th minute to set up a tense finish.
Montrose continued to push for an equaliser and thought they had found it late on, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul on Hearts goalkeeper Rachael Johnstone.
The Jambos stood tall in the closing stages to see out the victory.
Hearts Women return to action this Saturday at Tynecastle Park, facing Hibernian in the Capital Cup (kick-off 14:10).
Hearts: Johnstone, J. Husband, E. Husband, Girasoli (C), Rennie (Fulton 69’), Johns, Dolan (Forsyth 46’), Smith (Wade 72’), Halliday, Campbell, Hope (Speckmaier 72’).
Subs: Forsyth, Fulton, Speckmaier, Wade, Jardine, Crawford, Fraser, Burn, Thomson.
Montrose: Perry, Miller, McLaren, E. Ross, Guthrie, Stewart, Ogilvie, Taylor, Brown, Cowper (C), T. Robb.
Subs: Milne, Elliott, Carter, Gover, McDonald-Nguah, Healy.
