Hearts U19s 3-0 Gretna U19s

We started the fixture without the three players who were sent off the previous week against Hibs. This gave three of our U 17 players the chance to start the game and show the potential we believe they have.

As seems to be the norm, the opening exchanges were fast and furious and Hearts put us under pressure without creating any clear cut chances. That changed after eight minutes when Hearts scored their first goal from a corner to the far post.

We did not learn our lesson when five minutes later Hearts doubled their lead, again from a corner. At this point we made a small adjustment to our starting positions and managed to create two or three chances on the break, unfortunately we were unable to convert them.

Prior to half-time we began to pass the ball with more purpose and found that we were able to keep possession of the ball for longer periods but still found it difficult to create a clear cut chance.

The second half brought a great improvement and we began to create several chances but once again we failed to convert them. Joe Hughes was close on two occasions and showed great desire to score for a player of sixteen years of age.

The game continued in this vein for most of the second half until five minutes from time Hearts broke away to score their third goal.

At the end of the game we were not too desponded as we felt we competed well for long periods of the game, against a team who can afford to pay £75,000 for a youth player and then make him substitute.

Jack Pattison and Grant Easton showed that they are ready to play at this age level with two excellent performances for players of sixteen years of age.

GRETNA: Wright, Pattison, Poulson, Campagna, Faulds, Shultz-Eklund, Easton, Smee, Fisher, Hughes, Trialist. Subs not used: Morton, Sharples, Grant.