Dunfermline 1-0 Hearts

From Hearts News at East End Park

Hearts went down 1-0 in their second pre-season friendly match at a breezy East End Park against Dunfermline. Close to 1,000 Hearts supporters greeted the team for Csaba Laszlo's first game in charge of the Jambos on Scottish soil.
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The new manager selected a relatively youthful squad in a 4-2-3-1 formation similar to Monday evening against Glentoran.

Right from the off Hearts pressed with good work in the middle pushing Dunfermline into early defensive mode. Hearts won their first corner after only two minutes but Michael Stewart's inswinger was cleared just short of captain Christophe Berra's head.

The Hearts team, complete with the new all maroon Umbro home strip, struggled to take a hold of the game and Dunfermline were clearly well drilled and attempted to push forward at every opportunity.

Good work by Stewart on the left after 18 minutes put Ksanavicius through but the little midfielder was tripped leading to a free kick on the edge of the box. Stewart floated in the ball in which was again headed clear. From the resultant throw from Stewart, Gary Glenn shot over from a tight angle.

Five minutes later Dunfermline gained possession through solid play from Bayne, he crossed to Burke but the best the Pars could gain was a corner on the right which came to nothing.

The Pars then did break the deadlock after 24 minutes. A driving run by Stephen Glass split the Hearts defence and his cross from eight yards met a cluster of players including Kevin Harper but the goal was adjudged to have hit Lee Wallace last to put the Jambos 1-0 down.

Hearts were struggling to link passes and were under pressure again after a Palazuelos slip let in Glass but his through pass was heavy and rolled into a grateful Steve Banks' arms.

A cute peice of play by Dunfermline then saw Austin McCann nutmeg Ryan McGowan with the final cross finding Bayne whose header was clutched in mid goal by Banks.

Ksanavicius then returned the compliment by nutmegging Woods as the Jambos pushed down the right . Neat interplay with Glen then saw the ball switch to the left but Cesnauuskis eventual ball was well cleared by Wilson.

Hearts continued to try and impress but had little other than a Ryan McGowan soft shot to show for their effort.

The second half resumed with a more urgent Hearts retaining possesion and trying to play a passing game. A corner after five minutes came to nothing but the men in maroon continued to press and some neat interplay between Kzanavicius and Mole gave some sign of promise. Michael Stewart then spurned a chance although the thick Dunfermline grass was as much to blame for the skyed shot.

Dunfermline then countered with Harper rounding Wallace but shooting harmlessly over the bar. After 63 minutes Glen made way for Steven Husband.

The closest Hearts came to scoring was after 67 minutes with Cesnauskis providing a glimpse of what he is capable of. Tricking and teasing two Pars defenders on the irght hand side he made space for himself. Then with slight gap he lifted the ball through a crowded box but Gallacher tipped the deflected ball expertly over.

Mole was also beginning to impose himself with a piercing run and Steven Husband was clearly keen to show his new coach his capabilities.

Stewart took a long ball from Zaliukas down the left, crossed first time to Mole but again the Dunfermline defence cleared in the air. Mole then drove forward after good play by Palazuelos but his shot drifted wide of the left hand post.

Mole then set off on another run and the youngster showed a good turn of pace, striding into the box, to cross the ball for Cesnuaskis. His volley cannoned off the back of Phinn and cleared to safety.

Harper could have sealed it for the Pars but his unselfish pass was wasted. Templeton then made the pass of the evening crossfield to Cesnauskis. He found Stewart and then Templeton was in the box for the cross. His sweetly struck shot was excellently saved by Gallacher after 87 minutes.

As the clock ticked down Hearts spurned two well created chances by Mole and Stewart and the Pars closed the game out for the win.

Dunfermline: Gallacher; Woods, Wilson, Phinn, Thomson, McCann, Harper, Glass, Bayne, Burke, Muirhead; Subs: McIntyre, Williamson, McBride, Willis, Reidford.

Hearts: Banks; Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Wallace, McGowan (Mole 45), Palazuelos, Cesnauskis, Stewart, Ksanavicius (Templeton 70), Glen (Husband 63); Subs not used: MacDonald, Brown, Lithgow, Mikoliunas.

Referee: Dougie McDonald

Hearts World