Pre Season Friendly v Hearts

Dunfermline 1 Hearts 2

MATCH PICTURES
This Pre Season Friendly was in direct opposition to T in the Park which was enjoying the fabulous spell of hot weather. For those who chose the more gentile East End Park the line ups were equally hot and would hopefully be entertaining. Such was the interest the 2.00pm kick off was delayed to allow the crowd in.

With Callum Morris and Craig Dargo the only players out through injury, the Pars showed just one change from the team that lined up against Alloa in the play off final back on Sunday 19th May. Striker Ryan Wallace returned meaning Allan Smith was consigned to the bench.

Ryan Thomson and Josh Falkingham got the match underway but it was Hearts who almost scored with their first attack, Ryan Stevenson burst into the left side of the box but slipped his low shot narrowly wide left. At the other end Wallace seemed surprised to get the chance to shoot when the visitors defence failed to cut out a diagonal pass and his fourth minute shot from the edge of the box went straight to the blue shirted Jamie MacDonald.

Alex Whittle v Hearts
Alex Whittle v Hearts

MacDonald pulled off a fantastic save two minutes later when a Wallace cross from the left was forcefully met by Andy Geggan's head but the Hearts keeper was in fine early form. Pressure from Hearts no.9 Dale Carrick caused Kerr Young to concede a ninth minute corner. When that was sent in from the left by David Smith, Brad MACKAY met it at the near post to head strongly passed Hrivnak. 0-1

Wallace tried to respond immediately but his effort from just inside the Hearts box was held by the keeper. Then a Ross Millen cross was well cut out albeit at the second attempt. Hearts worked their way into enjoying more of the possession and misplaced passes did not help the Fifers cause.

Andy Geggan v Hearts

The Jambos work earned a penalty in 19 minutes that captain Jamie HAMILL converted to make it 2-0. A bit soft really with Chris Kane guilty of tripping Smith when he did not really pose a great threat.

The Pars first corner in 28th minute was delivered deep by Millen and he was fed the ball back from Husband through Geggan but his cross was easily cleared by the Hearts defence. Three minutes later Wallace was sent up the right to latch on to a fine pass from Millen but Dylan McGowan covered across to come out on top.

Ryan Wallace v Hearts

Wallace homed in on goal from the right in 38 minutes, MacDonald parried the first attempt and then got lucky as the Pars man struck the rebound over the crossbar. Falkingham was hurt in a late tackle by Stevenson and physio Kenny Murray came on to administer treatment allowing the others to enjoy a water break.

It had been a fair performance for a first match of pre season, the opposition was strong and had already played one pre season match against Dinamo Bucharest. For those arriving at half time thinking that the kick off was 3.00pm, they had missed a promising start from the Second Division side.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Hearts 2

Shaun Byrne v Hearts
Shaun Byrne v Hearts

Ryan Wallace and Stephen Husband were withdrawn for the restart with Allan Smith and Shaun Byrne taking their places. There was a real let off for the Pars in 51 minutes when a Smith cross from the left was touched on to the crossbar by McGowan and Hrivanak was able to grasp the loose ball.

Ryan Ferguson then replaced Chris Kane as Jim Jefferies took a look at the Dundee United youngster in a match situation. A Whittle cross was headed goalwards by Thomson but plucked out of the air by MacDonald.

Playing towards the McCathie Stand, Dunfermline kept Hearts further up the park earning a couple of free kicks but not really causing the visiting defence any particular problems. Millen's free kick from the left on 62 minutes dropped to Smith at the back post but he failed to put his effort on target.

Ryan Thomson scores for Dunfermline

Ryan THOMSON got the Pars back into the game in 64 minutes however slotting in from the right side of the box to make it 1-2. Lewis Martin then replaced John Potter, a player twice his age, before Hearts kicked off again. Dunfermline created more problems for the Hearts defence and were fortunate to survive a six yard box scramble.

Allan Smith went down injured in 70th minute and had to be stretchered off with an ankle injury; he was subbed by Kevin Buchan in 72 minutes. Ferguson popped a shot narrowly over the crossbar as Dunfermline looked for the equaliser. Two minutes later there were claims that the Pars had the ball over the Hearts goalline as their defence looked incredibly vulnerable but no goal was given.

Michal Hrivnak v Hearts

Subs continued to flow on with 20 year old Fayssal El Bakhtaoui and 17 year old Lewis Spence given the final 11 minutes. Josh Falkingham drove into the Hearts box but his shot was blocked out. The Pars stroked the ball about well as their subs seemed to blend in better than their opponents.

In 90th minute Falkingham assumed responsibilty for a free kick in front of goal about 27 yards out and showed why Stephen Husband takes these when he is on the park. The ball ended up in the McCathie Stand.

It was a much better second half performance from the Fifers but it was the capital side's fans who were on song for the presentation of the QTS sponsored Supporters Direct Fans Cup.

DUNFERMLINE: Michal Hrivnak, Ross Millen (Ryan Williamson 85), Kerr Young, John Potter (Lewis Martin 65), Alex Whittle (Ross Drummond 85); Josh Falkingham (c), Stephen Husband (Shaun Byrne HT), Chris Kane (Ryan Ferguson 52), Andy Geggan (Lewis Spence 79); Ryan Wallace (Allan Smith HT (Kevin Buchan 72)), Ryan Thomson (Fayssal El Bakhtaoui 79).
SUB NOT USED: Ryan Goodfellow (GK).
SCORER: Thomson (64)

HEARTS: Jamie MacDonald; Jamie Hamill (c), Brad McKay, Dylan McGowan, Kevin McHattie; Jason Holt, Callum Tapping, Scott Robinson; David Smith, Dale Carrick, Ryan Stevenson
SUBS: Mark Ridgers, Jamie Walker, Sam Nicholson, Triallist, Jordan McGhee, Billy.King, Adam King, Gary Oliver, Jack Hamilton (GK).
SCORERS: Mackay (9), Hamill (19 pen.)

REFEREE: John Beaton
WEATHER: Sunny 20C
ATTENDANCE: 4538
BUCKET COLLECTION: raised £2674 (thanks too to Hearts fans for their generosity)