Victory for B Team over Gretna

Steven Naismith made three changes for the visit of the Black and Whites. Callum Hambrook, Adam Forrester, and Macaulay Tait returned in place of Bobby McLuckie, Ethan Drysdale, and Kenzi Nair.
 
The Wee Jambos almost got themselves in front after just seven minutes when a mistake in the Gretna rear-guard allowed Aidan Denholm through on goal and although his dinked finish beat the keeper, it landed just wide of the far post.
 
Six minutes later, Hearts did take the lead. Murray Thomas has shown on numerous occasions already this season that he has a wand of a right foot, and he did it again with Adam Forrester charging in at the back to post to meet his corner and side foot the ball home.
 
It was a case of déjà vu twelve minutes later as Thomas again whipped in an inviting delivery and Forrester was again on hand to bundle the ball home after a mini scramble in the box.
 
The visitors hadn’t really got started but when Harry Stone was booked for taking a catch outside his penalty box and from the resulting free kick, Aidan Munro halved the deficit.
 
The men in maroon almost restored their two-goal lead in the final action of the half, but this time Thomas’ cross just evaded the sliding Hambrook.
 
Into the second half and the Wee Jambos had to show a completely different side to their game compared to last weekend’s victory.
 
Nevertheless, in a half with not many opportunities, the men in maroon defended resolutely to preserve their slender lead and hold on for a precious three points.
 
Hearts: Stone, Darge, Tait, Denholm, Kirk, Thomas, Gordon, Forrester, Hambrook (Nair, 65), Rathie, Sandilands
 
Subs: McFarlane, Duncan, Crookston, Friel, Nair
 
Gretna 2008: Main, Muir, Condie, Dickinson, Duffy, Caves, Bell, Short, Mbewe, Munro, Muir
 
Subs: Spelman, Duffy, Moyles, Patterson