Hearts maintained their 100% start to the season in all competitions at a sodden Goshen Lane playing fields. The pitch was in a terrible state before the kick off and the rain made it even worse as the game progressed. In a scrappy start to the game both teams battling to find a foot in the game on a boggy pitch. Ten minutes in hearts gained control of proceedings and created a few chances down the left hand side as Greg Dyl delivered some dangerous crosses into the box without any end result.

The Football College, to their credit, throughout the game tried to play out from the back and through their midfield. Hearts did get caught on numerous occasions on the right hand side as fullback Sam Huszar was left 2v1 as a result of clever play by their opponents.

Shaun Whelan was playing with real confidence and had several opportunities without really testing the keeper. Greg Dyl and Rafael Lourenco were causing problems on the left hand side and a chance fell for Hearts as Hamilton Rescova picked up the ball on the edge of the box and let fly forcing the keeper to make a save. Hearts made a change as Steve Arnold was replaced by Ryan Carroll as the first half came to an end.

HT 0-0.

The attitude and commitment shown in the first half couldn’t be questioned. The second half started with hearts keeping possession and seeing a lot of the ball but they were caught off guard as a long ball played over top beat the hearts back four. Aaron Longden tracking back made a late tackle and brought down the opposition player and the ref indicated for a penalty and showed a red card to Aaron Longden for denying a goal scoring opportunity.

The Football College compounded their misery to lead 1-0 from the spot. Hearts made an immediate change bringing off Joe Weja and replacing him with Morgan Worrad, to change to a 4 4 1 formation.

From this point in the game Hearts were the better side and won a corner, the ball played in landed at the feet of captain Williams and he was brought down in the box, resulting in the second penalty of the game, calmly converted by Shaun Whelan. Within five minutes Hearts took the lead through Lewis Wilman as he struck from outside the box with a sweet strike.

Buoyed by this hearts went for the kill and made it 3-1 with around 20 minutes to go as Hamilton Rescova scored. However with around 15 minutes left, The Football college pulled a goal back to make it a nervy end to the game. With ten minutes to play, Rescova rounded the keeper as he came out to slot home to make it 4-2.

Hearts saw out the final 10 minutes to record an impressive victory taking into account the state of the pitch and also being at a numerical disadvantage.

MOM for Hearts was Shaun Whelan.

Next game 18th October v Orange Soccer (A) Mens Knock out trophy