Hearts B were defeated 3-0 by Albion Rovers in their final home match of the season at The Vanloq Community Stadium, Ainslie Park on Friday night.
Angus Beith made a single change from the side that drew 3-3 away against Cowdenbeath last Saturday. Kai Smutek came in to replace Lucas Smith in defence.
The Jambos looked promising in the first 20 minutes of the match.
In the 15th minute, Aiden Haddow played a brilliant pass with the outside of his right boot to send Dom Plank on his way down the left flank. He drove into the heart of the Albion Rovers defence, cut on to his right foot and hit a powerful low strike, but it went wide of the target.
Hearts had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring with 20 minutes gone. Hogarth dribbled well down the right once again and played the cut back which found Connor Dow who had his effort saved, he then passed to Dom Plank who hit a first time strike, but wasn’t able to get the right connection on it to trouble the goalkeeper.
Despite a positive start for the Wee Jambos, Albion Rovers soon went ahead. The ball was whipped in from the right by Adam Fernie and Billy Mortimer rose highest to head past Lyndon Tas for 1-0 in the 31st minute.
The Jam Tarts looked to hit back before the break. Aiden Haddow picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward to the edge of the box, before hitting a strike which was dragged wide of the target.
Half-time: Hearts 0-1 Albion Rovers
The visitors continued to look a threat in the second half.
On 46 minutes, Dom McMahon had a pop from just outside the box which forced a great low save from Hearts goalkeeper Lyndon Tas to deny him.
Hearts came close to an equaliser in the 51st minute. Henry James floated an inviting ball from the free kick to the back post and captain Kenzi Nair headed it initially which was blocked. The ball then arrived at the feet of Kai Smutek who tried to place one into the bottom right corner, but it went narrowly wide of the post.
Albion Rovers would double their advantage just moments later. Paul Kennedy played the corner in from the right, and attacker Bright Prince headed home from close range in the 52nd minute.
The Wee Jambos nearly pulled a goal back on 61 minutes. Taylor Hogarth whipped in a brilliant cross from the right wing which found Connor Dow who’s glancing header was deflected behind for a corner. The ball was whipped in again and Alfie Osborne met it with the header, forcing a good stop from Connelly from close range.
Hearts continued to try and find a way back into the game. On 68 minutes, the ball was fired into the path of Taylor Hogarth just inside the box, who set it for substitute Euan Banks who fired one first time on his right foot, which was straight at Connelly.
Albion Rovers got their third in the 90th minute through another set piece. The corner from the right was headed in by Liam Fagan to make it 3-0.
It was a frustrating night for the Wee Jambos, who will now be looking to end their season on a positive note away at Broxburn Athletic next Saturday.
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Angus Beith said:
“I thought we started the game pretty well with good intent and we got ourselves in some really good positions, but we didn’t really create enough clear cut chances. We were shifting well side to side and finding the spare midfield player, but we didn’t do enough when we got into good positions.
“We just didn’t start the second half well at all. They played some direct balls up to their big attacker Prince, got some flick ons, they got first and second contacts which gave them the platform to play and they got a lot of chances off the back of it.
“They scored two goals from set plays which is disappointing, and I think we got bullied a bit in the second half.
“We have got a number of younger players that are are getting opportunities at the moment. Obviously the boys going out loan and a few boys coming to the end of their their B team journey as well. It’s new for the younger players, we want to emphasise that being aggressive in those duels are what we need to get better at. We’ll keep giving the younger players those opportunities and the exposure to this league.”
Hearts: Tas, Nair ©, Smutek, Stevenson (Banks 65’), Plank, Crookston (Gillies 65’), James, Dow, Hogarth (Ross 73’), Osborne, Haddow (Duncan 90’)
Subs: MacDonald, Smith, Duncan, Gillies, Ross, Dodds, Banks
Albion Rovers: Connelly, Fernie, Reid ©, Home, Kennedy, McMahon, McCraw, Kirkpatrick, Prince, Mortimer, Ross
Subs: Walker, Lavery, Mendy, Fagan, Brown
