Match Report: Spartans 1-0 Hearts B

A first half own goal was enough to separate the sides as Steven Naismith's young guns pick up their first defeat of the campaign. 

Naisy kept faith with the eleven that brought him an opening day win over Berwick Rangers at Ferguson Park the previous weekend - with Ethan Drysdale dropping from the bench the only alteration to Saturday's team sheet.

The first half, and indeed the game as a whole, was a tight affair - with chances at a premium as both sides wrestled for control.

The Wee Jambos played some nice football, a fine Connor Smith free-kick was held at the five minute mark before a beautiful Barrie McKay-esque ball from Macaulay Tait cut the hosts open after seven minutes - with only some stout defending from Jordan Tapping keeping Jaden Ferguson at bay.

Michael Allan went close for Spartans with a first time volley after 21 minutes, drifting wide of Harry Stone's far post. Five minutes later, the home side would have their goal.

Hearts conceded a free-kick on. the left edge of the area. An inswinging delivery from Gregor Woods flew into the goalmouth melee; with a Hearts shirt getting the last touch to unfortunately send it in past Stone. 

A response was required in the second half and Hearts gave it, with the Wee Jambos chasing the game with dogged determination.

Substitute Callum Sandilands, along with Bobby McLuckie, combined well at the corner to force a fingertips save out of Carswell on the 60th minute

It would be the Spartans 'keeper who would be the man of the moment though - producing two match winning saves in the final minutes of the game to keep the home side's lead intact. 

The pressure built to a crescendo with Hearts banging on the door, and would have been well worth a point, but were left empty-handed after some wonderful goalkeeping. 

A good experience for the boys as their attention turns to East Kilbride away on Saturday, in matchday three of the Lowland League.

Spartans: Carswell, Herd, Allan, Waugh, Tapping, Woods, Jones, McFarland, Brown, Penker, Whyte

Subs: Brown, Burns, Henderson, Dishington, Inglis, Coats, Meek

Hearts: Stone, Darge, Rathie, Gordon, McLuckie, Thomas, Tait, Denholm, Dall, Ferguson, Smith

Subs: McFarlane, Kirk, Smutek, Sandilands, Chisholm