Hearts B got back to winning ways with an impressive 4-1 home victory over Gretna in the Lowland League at The Vanloq Community Stadium, Ainslie Park on Friday evening.
Goals from Gregor Crookston, Connor Dow, Taylor Hogarth and Aiden Haddow secured the three points for the Wee Jambos.
Hearts looked confident in possession during the first half, and looked to utilise the wide areas to cause the visitors problems.
The Jambos came close to opening the scoring on 20 minutes.
Gregor Crookston sprinted down the right flank and whipped in a dangerous low ball into the box, which narrowly missed the boot of Connor Dow.
The Wee Jambos went ahead in the 41st minute.
Aiden Haddow whipped in the corner from the left, Jim Atkinson was forced off his line to come and claim it but missed the ball, which allowed Crookston to arrive at the back post to slot home for 1-0.
Hearts doubled their advantage just before the break. The ball was played over the top to Connor Dow who showed great composure to flick the ball over Atkinson’s head, and fired home for the Jambos’ second goal of the evening.
Half-time: Hearts 2-0 Gretna
The Jam Tarts were buoyed by their two goals just before half-time, and soon added a third.
Jim Atkinson looked to play it long, but it was cut out in midfield by Taylor Hogarth. He spotted the goalkeeper well off his line, and pinged the ball from range into the bottom right corner for 3-0.
Gretna pulled a goal back straight away. Jordan Holt scored from close range to make it 3-1.
In the 80th minute, Hearts wrapped the game up. Aiden Haddow fired one past Atkinson in the box to make it 4-1 and sealed a much needed three points for the Wee Jambos.
Speaking to The Official Hearts Website, manager Angus Beith said:
“I think we started the game brilliantly and had a really good intensity about us. Gretna tried to play a little bit as well, so it gave us the opportunity to get after them and press them high.
“Throughout the game, we made better decisions on the ball, understanding when to clear our lines, when we should play it a bit longer and then recognising when to play it short.
“I’m pleased with the goals we scored and how we took our chances and we managed the game really well at the end there.
“The aim for us in these next three games is to go and win, and I’m putting a big emphasis on the boys to go and do that”.
Hearts: Tas, Smith (Smutek 51’), Nair ©, Duncan (Osborne 46’), Plank, Ross (Robb 67’), Crookston, James (Stevenson 62’), Dow, Hogarth (Burn 67’), Haddow
Subs: MacDonald, Smutek, Stevenson, Robb, Osborne, Burn
Gretna: Atkinson ©, McCaragher, Ivison, Douglas, Atkinson, Oram, Brotherston, Holt, Anderson, Short, Bell
Subs: Parker, Paterson, Cranston, Coates, Lamonby
