Match Report: Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Hearts

Barrie McKay and substitute Liam Boyce were on target in Merseyside, after former Dundee marksman Kane Hemmings had initially nodded Mickey Mellon’s side into the lead after just ten minutes.
 
In the words of Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, it was indeed a “game of two halves’ with the EFL League Two outfit looking the far sharper of the two sides in the opening exchanges.
 
Alex Cochrane was called into action early doors after Ethan Bristow’s teasing ball across goal fell favourably to a waiting Elliot Nevitt – with our Englishman forced to make an awesome bit of last gasp defending.
 
This early pressure paid off, and culminated in Kane Hemmings nodding downwards past Ross Stewart in goal after another well worked crossed from Tranmere’s wide channels.
 
Lewis Neilson and Cammy Devlin worked away as the Jambos tried to construct a retort, but our best chance of the game at that point went astray as Euan Henderson saw his shot whiz over the crossbar following a sweet McKay delivery.
 
A change in approach was required, and the manager opted to inject some creative spark with the introduction of Alan Forrest and Jorge Grant from the bench.
 
Forrest very nearly pulled one back after some more sweet one-twos with Barrie McKay – with only the leg of determined defender Ben Hockenhull denying him the chance to extend his fine scoring run in pre-season.
 
It was Barrie McKay and his magic feet that restored parity. After assessing his options from the edge of the area, McKay tries his luck with a low shot that crept in under Doohan. All even with 70 minutes on the clock.
 
Robbie introduced Liam Boyce to the game, a masterstroke, with the Northern Irishman dispatching a fine header past Doohan to ensure the result was coming back to Edinburgh.
 
Another fine win that maintains our 100% run in pre-season. Up next; Crawley Town come to Tynecastle on Saturday.
 
Tranmere: Doohan, Dacres-Cogley (Williams 86’), Trialist (Hockenhull 50’), Byrne (Hughes 64’), Jameson (Merrie 57’), Bristow (Stratulis 81’), O’Connor, Lewis (Nolan 45’), McAlear (Hawkes 50’), Nevitt, Hemmings (Lomax 64’)
 
Hearts: Stewart, Atkinson (Logan 85’), Halliday, Neilson (Kingsley 45’), Sibbick (Darge 85’), Cochrane, C. Smith (Forrest 45’), Haring, Henderson (Boyce 66’), Devlin (Grant 45’), McKay
 

Image courtesy of Pro Sports Images / Phil Bryan