Young Jambos fight back to reach SFA Youth Cup final

THEIR first-team counterparts have had a headline-hogging season, but Hearts Under-19s proved last night that they have the potential to cause one or two ripples of their own this season by securing their place in the SFA Youth Cup Final.

A 3-2 victory over Livingston would always be regarded as a noteworthy result given the capabilities of the West Lothian youths, but on an evening when they recovered from a one-goal deficit and remained resolute despite being reduced to ten men, Hearts could go home thoroughly satisfied.

They now await the outcome of the second semi-final, which takes place on April 2 between Aberdeen and Celtic. "I'm not fussed who we meet, I just wanted us to get there," said Under-19 coach Stevie Frail. "We've played all the teams, we've watched them all so no we'll do out homework in the build-up to the final."

Hearts were left harbouring a sense of injustice over the 62nd-minute dismissal of Andrew Driver, with the club fearing that the winger may now be out of the final because of suspension.

Livingston full-back Chris Mitchell clattered into Driver from behind right in front of the home dugout, and the Hearts player retaliated by confronting his opponent and pushing him in the chest.

Referee Brian Corven immediately booked Mitchell for the tackle, but there were deep intakes of breath when he produced a red card for Driver.

"We're looking to get the red card overturned because the assistant referee said Andrew threw a punch and we aren't sure he did," added Frail. "We'll certainly look into it.

"Seemingly the lad who played for Livingston last night was sent off in the previous round but missed their next league game instead of the next round of the cup, so we're unsure whether Andrew will miss the final."

Frail saw Hearts overwhelmed in the early part of the game, during which Livingston moved ahead when Chris Hamilton's corner was powered in by Fraser McLaren.

The mobility of Robert Snodgrass and Graham Dorrans, first-team squad regulars at Almondvale, was upsetting to the visiting defence and Snodgrass almost scored the second with a looping free-kick on 23 minutes.

However Hearts hauled themselves back into contention soon after when Driver robbed the dithering Angrew Geggan on the byline and dribbled towards goal before calmly curling the ball past Livingston goalkeeper Thomas McGuigan. Dennis McLaughlin then scored two fine goals, firstly turning with his back to goal to fire in a right-footed shot before an expert curler with his opposite foot from the edge of the penalty area.

Driver's red card ensured a more defensive approach from Hearts as they tried to close the game out. Livingston did pull one back through Dorrans in stoppage time but then had Geggan dismissed for two bookable offences.

But Hearts held on to go through, and the youngsters' delight was evident at full-time.

Taken from the Scotsman