Angus Beith praised the controlled performance of his Hearts B side, as they beat Broxburn Athletic 3-0 in their final game of the season at Albyn Park on Saturday.
The Wee Jambos scored three goals in the second half, courtesy of Mackenzie Ross, Dom Plank and Gus Stevenson.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Angus Beith said:
“We actually didn't start amazingly in the first 10 minutes. We looked a little bit slack, but from then on we performed really well and competed brilliantly.
“We asked the boys before the start of the game to make sure they nailed the fundamentals, that’s the key when you come away from home. We did that and we played with real confidence today.”
Broxburn striker Errol Douglas was sent off just before half-time which reduced the hosts to 10 men, but Beith said his side’s performance in the second 45 merited the three points.
“The red card helped us, but we were the one in the team in the ascendancy and the one creating the opportunities and went about it quite maturely in the second-half, which was the pleasing thing. We didn't panic, we didn't rush on the ball. We weren't sloppy, we enjoyed possession, and punished them as well when we created our opportunities.
Beith explained that his defence was crucial in helping to control the game for the Jambos:
“What was key was the centre halves use of the ball because they had a lot of time in possession. I said to them at half time to make sure they stay concentrated, focus on your details in the passes, move the ball at speed side to side. So they controlled that really well for us and made good decisions.
“We then managed to get it to our players at the top end of the pitch on the ball in good positions.”
The manager was pleased with Gus Stevenson’s performance, and the overall attacking display from his side.
“He was excellent today, always looking for the ball and was looking to disrupt and cause problems for them along the corner as well. It was really good for Dom (Plank) to get his goal today as well.
“Gus is a threat running in behind but also receiving the ball in between the lines. So I thought his partnership with Alfie Osborne worked really well today. He was just a constant threat. It's probably the best game that I've seen him have for the B team, I’m delighted for him.”
Beith believes that marking the end of the campaign with a victory will help Hearts B build into next season:
“It's a brilliant way to end the season. I said to them at half-time that sometimes you come away from home, but unsure if you know that you can play the same football you want to. But we did that today, even when it was 11 versus 11, we were really confident on the ball in tight spaces on the pitch, and moved it excellently.
“So I think that in itself gives us confidence going into next year, that we can come to these away grounds that are tough places to play at times, but we can go and play our football.”
