Berwick Rangers 0
Hearts 0

HEARTS, playing their third game in four days, fielded a young side against a Berwick squad that contained a number of trialists.

The Jambos had the better of the opening exchanges with Saulius Mikoliunas having two efforts saved in the first ten minutes and shortly afterwards Dennis Wyness came close with a shot that just cleared the post.

Wyness came close again with another shot that drifted just wide and Joe Hamill, on the half-hour mark, fired a 20-yard free kick just over the bar.

The home team were seen only in flashes and failed to cause the Hearts rearguard many problems and as the half wore on Hearts still held the upper hand, although towards the break the home team's No.7 trialist had a shot deflected off the line by Marco Pelosi for a corner kick.

Both teams made half time substitutions mainly due to the very hot conditions and the home side began the brightest with ex-Hearts player David Murie firing a right-footed shot just wide.

Ten minutes later Kevin Gordon also came close with an effort and on the hour mark Berwick's No.11 trialist had a shot saved by Jamie MacDonald. But by this time the game was being played at walking pace due to the intense heat.

On 73 minutes, MacDonald was again forced to save a shot from Mark McGarty before Hearts made further changes and dominated the last ten minutes.

Jamie Mole had a header saved then fired a shot past the post and also missed a fine chance on a one-to-one with the keeper. In reply, MacDonald was forced to save a stronger header by Mark Cowan and in the final minute Mole should have wrapped up the game but screwed a shot from six yards past the post.

Although this was a disappointing 90 minutes for more than a few reasons, the management and coaching staff will no doubt be pleased with experience gained by the younger members of the playing staff.

Taken from the Scotsman