Thomson gatecrashes party with free-kick double

Darren Johnstone

1 Aug 2010

Craig Thomson scored two stunning free-kicks to give Hearts victory in Millwall striker Neil Harris's testimonial, but Ismael Bouzid's neck injury took the shine off the performance.

The Algerian defender left the field on a stretcher during the first half and was taken to hospital.

Eggert Jonsson scored an early penalty before Millwall midfielder Liam Trotter's double put the home side in front, but Thomson exhibited superb accuracy from distance to seal the win.

Harris – Millwall's all-time leading goalscorer – was granted a guard of honour by both teams. The 33-year-old is in his second spell at the New Den, either side of a three-year spell at Nottingham Forest, and overcame testicular cancer in 2003.

Despite a lower than expected turnout, the ferocity of the roar that greeted Harris's arrival on the pitch gave an indication of his legendary status in the south east of London.

Hearts – taking on a team that was founded by Scots working on the Isle of Dogs in 1885 – made a confident start, David Templeton's trickery troubling the home defence. The winger set Jonsson up on the edge of the box, but his harmless left-footed strike flew over the bar.

Hearts won a penalty when Lee Wallace was clipped by Millwall captain Paul Robinson as he raced towards goal in the 11th minute. Icelandic internationalist Jonsson sent David Forde the wrong way from 12 yards.

Bouzid was injured in a challenge with Steve Morison, who had also clashed with Jonsson, leaving both Hearts men needing treatment. Jonsson was replaced at the interval, while Hearts are waiting for confirmation Bouzid has a fractured skull.

After Millwall had struggled to create any kind of opening in front of goal, Trotter equalised, heading James Henry's corner in from close range on the stroke of half time.

The same combination of Henry and Trotter gave the hosts the lead nine minutes after the break. Trotter broke from midfield and fed Henry on the right, continuing his run into the box to head the cross past Marian Kello from close range.

Ryan Stevenson almost had Hearts level after nut-megging Alan Dunne on the touchline and driving into the box, but the former Ayr United midfielder's low shot across goal drifted wide of the far post.

But the sizeable and vocal away crowd didn't have to wait long for an equaliser, as Thomson scored a superb free-kick from 22 yards following a foul on Templeton.

The youngster lifted the ball over the wall and saw his effort squeeze just under the bar, past the outstretched arm of Forde in the 68th minute.

A backpass by Marius Zaliukas was pounced on by Kevin Lisbie, but he was forced wide by Kello. When he teed up Henry, Darren Barr, the new signing from Falkirk, raced back to clear off the line.

And with two minutes to play Thomson scored another brilliant free-kick, this time from 30 yards out. The 19-year-old – yet to score in competitive play for Hearts – hit a powerful drive that found the net via the post to win the match.

Taken from the Herald