Match Report: Linlithgow 3-4 Hearts B
06 August 2024Callum Sandilands scored twice at the death to secure Hearts B a massive three points in a seven goal thriller against Linlithgow Rose at Prestonfield.
The Wee Jambos trailed the Rose by two goals at half-time, but a relentless push to the end saw Hearts snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in an end-to-end Lowland League contest that could have gone either way.
Liam Fox stuck with the eleven that swept aside Gala Fairydean Rovers 5-1 on opening day, but the young Maroons had a mountain to climb after 25 minutes.
The impressive Dylan Paterson converted from the spot after nine minutes when Cammy Thomson was fouled in the box.
The first half was all Linlithgow as Hearts struggled to get a foothold in the game, with Jamie MacDonald called into action frequently before Rose got their second after 25 minutes.
Kai Smutek had no choice but to make a professional foul on the edge of the area as Linlithgow attacked, clearing the way for Paterson to net his brace with a sublime free-kick.
The second half started brightly, with Hearts winning a penalty just minutes into the opening stanza after Finlay Pollock was felled whilst running onto a delightful James Wilson ball.
However, Hearts rued their luck as Cammy Binnie in the Rose goal threw himself the right way to deny Wilson.
The Wee Jambos maintained the pressure, and Wilson put his penalty heartache behind him as he netted a poacher's finish after 72 minutes to get Hearts back in the game.
Hearts had well and truly found their feet by this point, and it was an inch-perfect cross that found skipper Adam Forrester unmarked at the back post - nodding past Binnie with aplomb to level the score.
Testament to the frantic nature of the match, Laurie Devine led the Rose up the park just a minute later and slotted past MacDonald to restore the hosts' lead.
As the game entered the dying stages, Hearts rode their luck and were rewarded when a mistake from Cammy Binnie allowed Sandilands to stride past him and roll the ball into the empty net to restore parity once more.
The final act of a truly memorable match was capped off as Pollock powered towards the byline and whipped a delightful ball across goal, with Callum Sandilands forcing his way through the melee to net the winner at the death.
A massive three points for the Wee Jambos who welcome Tranent to Ainslie Park on Friday night (9th August)
Hearts B: MacDonald, Smutek, McLuckie (Plank 62'), Wilson, Sandilands, Ross (Stevenson 57'), Lister, Forrester, Rathie, Tait, Pollock (Gillies 90')
Subs: Tas, Smith, Stevenson, Duncan, Plank, Gillies, Crookston