Motherwell (U18s) 1-1 Hearts (U18s)

Motherwell (U18s) 1-1 Hearts (U18s)

CAS Elite League

Friday 28th July 2023

Hearts were denied three points on the opening day of the CAS Elite League season as Motherwell equalised in injury-time in this encounter at Dalziel Park.

On one of the rare days in Scotland when it was actually quite pleasant; ‘sun tan’ weather rather than ‘big coat and wooly hat’ type weather (imagine my delight), the Jambos gave a decent account of themselves and led for over an hour with Gus Stevenson getting the Jambos goal midway through the first half.

The Hearts team for this game consisted of a mix of players who’ve been involved quite a bit over pre-season (and even in a couple of the early Lowland League season games in some cases), plus those who’ve not had much game-time to their name in recent weeks. 

And with this being an away fixture, the lads also donned the luminous bright pink second strip which goes very well with Mack Ross’ boots - albeit, probably with an eye on the B Team game at Gala Fairydean tomorrow, he didn’t feature in this one.

From very early on, it was apparent there was a good physicality and competitiveness about the game. There were quite a few 50-50’s; Harvey Chisholm scrapping and battling in particular, determined to make an impact, and having a really positive start to the game, and his energy helped Hearts to have the better of the early chances.

When the Motherwell ‘keeper rushed off his goal-line and scooped up the ball outside his box to stop an attack in the eighth minute (flashbacks to Harry Stone against Gretna last season in the B Team), there was a feeling that he might be about to get a red card. Instead, just a yellow was shown, and from the resulting free-kick, Chisholm couldn’t find the target. Nor could Gregor Burn who was lively, used his pace well at times, and fired over in a separate move just a few minutes later.

Motherwell though weren’t a bad team. I didn’t get his name but their No.9 posed a threat and was, physical, lively and involved in some good battles with Alex Walker who had to position himself really well in a couple of instances - but Hearts’ tendency to drop a bit deep as a backline on occasions also meant there were a few cagey moments.

Nevertheless, after 25 minutes, the opener came as Hearts made it 1-0.

Gus Stevenson was the scorer and Matty Gillies was heavily involved in the build-up and (I think) got the assist too, as a low ball out to the right flank found Stevenson who instinctively did what he does best; keeping the ball tight to his feet, working his way inside, past a couple of lads in Motherwell shirts and although his low drive from the edge of the box lacked pace when he come to hit it, the ball tricked across the ‘keeper and into the net almost in slow-motion - thus smiles all round as the Jambos now had something to protect.

Despite being a goal behind, Motherwell’s threat remained apparent and even though they couldn’t find an equaliser before half-time; their best chance coming when the No.9 saw an effort blocked at the near-post by Coupar Wilkie, they remained probably the better team in the second half.

Szymon Plesiewicz was denied by the Motherwell ‘keeper shortly after half-time as Hearts threatened to make it 2-0 but, as the hour mark came and went, the hosts got more on top and soon enough, they had the Jambos defence scrambling when one of their strikers hit the upright from close-range. The ball cannoned down at speed into a packed six-yard box and was only half-cleared and you can imagine the relieved looks on the faces of the Hearts defenders when the whistle went for something (offside?) after it was recycled back into the danger zone.

Coupar Wilkie also pulled off a couple of routine saves from efforts which were pretty much straight at him before the big ‘keeper underlined his value with a crucial save when the Hearts defence let a long ball downfield bounce. The Motherwell striker read it, got in-behind and was one-on-one but Wilkie, alert to the danger and dealing with it straight away, got down low to the striker’s feet and thwarted him. Good goalkeeping and an important save!

Hearts introduced some of the younger lads from the bench towards the end of the game - and they even had a few bright moments up at the other end as they searched for a second goal to kill the game off.

But, ultimately, the Jambos couldn’t make it 2-0 and it proved costly because after a few well-defended corners and open-play pressure which the boys in pink shirts saw off, Motherwell got an equaliser in the 90th minute.

After the Steelmen broke through the middle, Gregor Burn brought down an opponent on the edge of his box and, already on a yellow card, he was sent-off for a second bookable offence. The danger was evident; the free-kick position was as glorious for a right-footer as you’re ever likely to see, and Motherwell’s taker ultimately spotted a gap, curled his effort round the wall, past Coupar Wilkie and into the net. It was one of those where, as soon as it left his foot, you knew it was going in - and it duly did!

Harsh on Hearts but, in fairness, an equaliser had been coming!

Incredibly, despite already being into injury-time plus the fact Hearts were down to 10 men, there was very nearly a very late twist. Pretty much straight from the re-start, the Jambos broke and won a corner and after Alex Walker rose high at the back-post to meet the delivery and headed it down and slightly backwards towards the edge of the six-yard box, Matty Gillies made a connection and the ball just clipped the upright on its way over.

Unlucky… and especially so for Matty Gillies because a goal for him - in these circumstances and at this time in the game, would have been a well-deserved reward as he had a decent afternoon where he looked big and strong, used his physicality reasonably well, was very competitive, played a direct part in the build-up to the first goal, played a few decent balls on the switch - including a very good one in the second half, picked up quite a few bits and pieces in his CDM role in the second half (very noticable contribution), and really underlined his value of what he can do on a football pitch.

Other players to impress for Hearts over the course of the game were Harvey Chisholm; tenacious from minute one, aggressive, battling for every ball - and even managing to soldier on after taking a ball clean in the part of the body where no bloke every wants to be whakced (got to hurt) at one point during the first half. Gus Stevenson also who had two or three gliding runs - including the one for his goal, and whose confidence just seemed to grow and grow after the opener. He is very good with the ball at his feet and those attributes didn’t go unnoticed. Also, Gregor Burn who was quick at times and involved in some good little bits of link-up play; unlucky to get red carded (it happens) but otherwise not too bad.

The defence rode their luck at times (notably with the one where Motherwell hit the bar because that should have been a goal - not a clue how the lad missed) and there’s things to learn from this game all-round from a collective viewpoint, but they also deserve an element of credit because for a few lads this was their first game this season, they put in a good shift and were just a couple of minutes away from keeping a clean-sheet. They kept the No.9 quiet for Motherwell (again, he was decent) and it wasn’t a bad showing. You can’t ask for much more and they very nearly delivered a clean-sheet which is testament to the effort levels everyone put in.

On the whole though, a point apiece was a fair result because Motherwell did create a few chances, they performed alright in spells, and you always felt an equaliser was coming with how they were pushing for it in the latter stages.

Apologies for not being able to name any of their players as I didn’t get a team-sheet but good luck to them for the rest of the season!

I will try and get to a few more Hearts U18s games although it will all depend on timings, logistics, when I’m in Scotland and the fixture schedule of the B Team who’ll also be playing on quite a few Fridays. So I’ll have to see what fits.

Otherwise, an enjoyable afternoon out; worth the journey on the train from Edinburgh to Carfin (more like Calf-killin’ after walking to Dalziel Park from the station) and I’ve certainly seen a lot worse games of football.

Now onto Galashiels with the B Team tomorrow!

Hearts: Coupar Wilkie, Jamie Anderson, Alex Walker, Kai Smutek, Gregor Crookston, Harvey Chisholm, Matty Gillies, Gus Stevenson, Owen Muirhead, Gregor Burn, Szymon Plesiewicz. Subs: Tas, Smith, Osborne, Hogarth, Hutchison, Banks.