Hearts B were defeated 4-2 by Tranent in the Lowland League at Foresters Park on Saturday afternoon.
Angus Beith made two changes from the 1-1 away draw against Broomhill on Tuesday evening. Lucas Smith and Connor Dow came in to replace Kenzi Nair and Gregor Crookston, who were both sent off late on in Dumbarton.
Despite the loss, it was a proud moment for twin brothers Alfie & Stanley Wilson who came on in the second half to make their Hearts B debut at 16 years old.
Tranent looked the most threatening in the first half and held the majority of the possession.
The Hearts defence was tested early on as skipper Scott Gray whipped in a threatening ball from the right wing, but it was eventually cleared from danger.
The Wee Jambos had a good chance to take the lead after 15 minutes played. Mackenzie Ross picked up the ball in midfield and drove forward well and slipped in captain Aiden Haddow behind the Tranent defence, but Kelby Mason was quick off his line to close it down and it was scrambled away to safety.
Hearts would quickly rue the missed opportunity. The long throw was heaved into the box from the right and Daniel Handling hit a first time strike on his right foot to slot past Lyndon Tas for 1-0.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 27th minute. The ball was played over the top of the Hearts defence to Ben Miller in the box who got a shot off, and it took a cruel deflection off the boot of Lucas Smith and into the back of the net.
Dom Plank pulled a goal back for the Wee Jambos not long after. Aiden Haddow played a fantastic cut back to Plank in the box who smashed one home from close range for 2-1.
Tranent restored their two goal lead before half-time.
Daniel Handling had his jersey pulled by Gregor Burn and was brought down, and referee Andy Gamble gave a penalty. Ben Miller converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
Half-time: Tranent 3-1 Hearts
Tranent were awarded another penalty in the 60th minute. This time, the ball unfortunately struck the hand of Gregor Burn just inside the area, and the referee pointed to the spot once again.
Ben Miller scored into the bottom right corner which crept under gloves of Lyndon Tas for his second penalty goal of the afternoon to make it 4-1.
Hearts struggled to fashion openings against Darren Smith’s side in the second half, who were compact in defense.
In the 90th minute however, Dominic Plank got down the left wing and whipped a great ball into the box and Mackenzie Ross headed it past Kelby Mason for 4-2.
But it was too late in the day for the men in maroon as Tranent went on to secure the win.
Tranent: Mason, McIntyre, McCarry, Handling, Aitchison, Greig, Viola, Gray ©, Gordon, Stirling, Miller
Subs: Bauld, McGinness, Duthie, Girdwood, O’Boy, Scott, Doan
Hearts: Tas, Smith (Mulholland 83’), Smutek, Plank, Ross, James, Dow (Gillies 83’), Hogarth (Robb 61’), Osborne (S.Wilson 73’), Burn (A.Wilson 61’), Haddow ©
Subs: MacDonald, Gillies, Robb, A.Wilson, Mulholland, S.Wilson
Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Angus Beith said:
“Today I'm quite disappointed with the performance levels. We started the game well and we had a really good chance through Aiden (Haddow) and didn’t take it. Goals change games, and it would have been good for us to go 1-0 up that early, but we didn’t.
“There was too much naivety in our play. We got caught twice from long throw-ins. We need to be ready and anticipating and thinking about winning the space, and that was all over the pitch today. It led to a lot of their success and them getting momentum in the game, and we couldn’t wrestle that back in the second-half.”
Beith spoke about the debuts of Alfie & Stanley Wilson, and spoke about their progression in the Hearts academy.
He said: “I think it's a result of consistent hard work over a long period of time. I've known them for a number of years now and they're both terrific lads.
“They’ve worked tremendously hard over the last four years to improve, so it’s really good for them to get on the pitch. I thought Alfie did really well when he came on and Stanley also had some good moments, so I’m pleased for them both.”
