Hearts 2 Dunfermline 0

Hearts cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory against a disappointing Dunfermline outfit thanks to goals from Juanjo and Gary McSwegan.

The Pars had been going well recently and it had been expected to provide a real test for Jim Jefferies men.

But the Tynecastle side proved far too strong for the Fifers and they easily secured the first home league victory of the season.

Inspired by Spanish ace Juanjo, Hearts turned in one of the best performances of the season just in time for the UEFA Cup trip to Stuttgart on Thursday.

In fact, the visitors had debut goalkeeper Scott Thomson to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable with a string of saves in the second half.

Two excellent goals from Juanjo (7) and McSwegan (64) sealed the win as Hearts proved what they were capable of producing.

Yet it was an injury ravaged home side that lined up with full back Robbie Neilson being handed his debut.

Dunfermline number one Marco Ruitenbeek failed a fitness test and was replaced by ex-Airdrie and Raith Rovers goalkeeper Thomson.

Juanjo set the scene for the afternoon when he opted to test Thomson out in the opening minute with a low strike from 20 yards which the keeper held.

McSwegan was next to try his luck when he drilled an effort just wide in the fourth minute.

Hearts full-back Gary Naysmith had indicated this week that he may have to leave after failing to agree a new contract.

And he proved his worth early on when he made a magnificent sliding tackle to prevent Lee Bullen reaching Jason Dair's pass.

Hearts went into a seventh minute lead when Juanjo struck a stunning 20-yard volley past Thomson into the corner of the net.

Dunfermline hit back and Ian Ferguson found space at the edge of the box before firing a shot just wide.

But Dunfermline had not learned their lesson from the opening goal and they allowed Juanjo space again in the 16th minute. Unfortunately he could only produce a weak effort straight at the keeper.

Goalkeeper Thomson had to be sharp in the 32nd minute when he bravely dived at McSwegan's feet to stop him turning Naysmith's cut back into the net.

Dunfermline defender Justin Skinner was fortunate to receive only a yellow card after a terrible lunge at the Pars' chief tormentor Juanjo.

Scotland midfielder Colin Cameron almost grabbed a second in 35th minute when he curled a glorious 25-yard effort only inches wide.

Dunfermline tested Hearts goalkeeper Antti Niemi for the first time in the 49th minute when Skinner unleashed a blistering long range drive which was punched clear by the Finn.

Thomas Flogel curled a superb effort from just inside the box agonisingly wide for Hearts in the 57th minute.

Hearts finally got the second goal they deserved in the 64th minute when Juanjo's corner was flicked on by Steve Fulton and McSwegan was waiting at the back post unmarked to volley the ball home.

That signalled a flood of opportunities and goalkeeper Thompson made two point-blank stops from McSwegan and Juanjo.

Dunfermline's efforts were best summed up in the last minute when sub Stephen Boyle somehow turned the ball wide with a goal gaping after good work by sub Junior Mendes.

But if he had reduced the deficit it would have been far more than Dunfermline deserved.

Teams:

Hearts: Niemi, Pressley, Naysmith, Murray, Neilson, Fulton, Cameron, Jackson (Simpson 89), Flogel, McSwegan (O'Neil 86), Juanjo.

Subs Not Used: Rousset, James, Kirk.

Goals: Juanjo 7, McSwegan 64.

Dunfermline: S. Thomson, Doesburg (Matthaei 74), Skerla, Nicholson, Skinner, Dair (Mendes 67), S. Thomson, Ferguson, Bullen, Crawford, Moss (Boyle 74).

Subs Not Used: Hay, Huddon.

Booked: Skinner.

Att: 11,811

Ref: Bobby Orr (Scotland).


Taken from sportinglife.com