Falkirk 0 - 1 Hearts, match report

Published Date: 26 December 2009
By BARRY ANDERSON
AT FALKIRK STADIUM
Goal: Hearts - Stewart 43 pen.

MICHAEL STEWART'S penalty two minutes from the interval propelled Hearts to fifth place in the SPL and secured a belated Christmas gift for manager Csaba Laszlo, who had waited since the start of the season to see his side enter the top six.

After Jose Goncalves was impeded by Darren Barr, Stewart stroked the resultant penalty low into the net to accord Hearts the advantage against the run of play. Falkirk's expressive style of play saw them dominate the first 45 minutes but the penalty arrived at a crucial juncture from the visitors' perspective.

A rather untidy second half ensued but Hearts' resilience saw them repel the hosts to record consecutive league wins for the first time this season. Falkirk, by contrast, remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

It was the hosts who threatened first after Marius Zaliukas, starting his first match since September, miscontrolled an attempted through pass from Marc Twaddle. The Lithuanian let the ball slither under his foot and Carl Finnigan collected possession before a cross which Marian Kello caught with Pedro Moutinho lurking. That seemed to set the tone for an open and entertaining beginning. Hearts asserted themselves with Jamie Mole's industry at the cusp of their forward moves. His aerial flicks looked useful but, on 19 minutes, Falkirk broke impressively from a corner for Finnigan to shoot into Kello's arms.

Zaliukas looked shorn of match practice after a persistent ankle complaint, his defensive distribution frequently costing his team possession. He was also fortunate not to concede a free-kick after barging Finnigan off the ball near the Hearts by line. Moutinho's free-kick was gathered by Kello midway through the opening period with the hosts moving the ball around more swiftly than their Edinburgh guests. Their dominance was backed up by statistics showing six Falkirk attempts on target to Hearts' none inside the first 26 minutes.

The closing period of the first half was more balanced, however. Hearts' midfield pressed forward on top of their opponents and the boldness brought the reward of a penalty on 43 minutes. Jose Goncalves found himself in an advanced position to collect Stewart's pass and he scampered into the penalty area before being tugged back by Barr. Stewart converted low to Robert Olejnik's right, his fifth successive penalty strike froom five attempts.
Toufik Zerrara's swerving free-kick was collected by Kello as Falkirk seized the impetus after the restart.

Moutinho and Finnigan, ably backed up by midfielder Scott Arfield, were probing the unconvincing visiting defence relentlessly and ensuring Zaliukas and Goncalves received little respite. At the opposite end, Hearts' forward line was in need of revitalising and Suso replaced David Templeton after 65 minutes.

Eggert Jonsson headed narrowly wide from Suso's corner on 73 minutes, a close call from a player who performed impressively throughout in central midfield. The game was becoming increasingly scrappy the longer it continued with Hearts content to let time run out.

Suso's late drive was held by Olejnik and Falkirk appealed for a stoppage-time penalty after Vitor Lima fell under Zaliukas' challenge. For all their earlier exertions, Falkirk were not as energetic during the final stages and an equaliser proved beyond them despite five minutes of stoppage time.

Falkirk (4-4-2): Olejnik; Barr, Monteiro, McLean, Twaddle; Flynn, Arfield, Lima, Zerrara; Moutinho, Finnigan. Subs: Wagenaar, O'Brien 84 (for Zerrara), Mitchell, Allison, Marceta 74 (for Moutinho), Bullen 63 (for Flynn), Murdoch.

Hearts (4-4-1-1): Kello; Bouzid, Zaliukas, Goncalves, Wallace; Templeton, Jonsson, Stewart, Palazuelos; Mole, Robinson. Subs: Ridgers, Kucharski 90 (for Mole), Suso 65 (for Templeton), Nade 90 (for Robinson), Visconte, Glen, Smith.

Referee: Calum Murray.

Attendance: 6082

Taken from the Scotsman