Football college C Manchester men’s 3 v Rochdale Sacred Heart Mens 1
Venue: Goshen Park, Bury
Starting 11
Liam Dawson
Aaron Longden
Rafael Lourenco
Lewis Willman
Greg Dyl {GOAL}
Williams Tankoua
Liam Pullen
Shaun Whelan
Hamelton Rescova
Nick Nldela {GOAL}
Steve Arnold
SUBS
Ryan Carroll
Noshid Naheed
First Half
On a very poor pitch it was always going to be a different game plan than Hearts normal passing game to ensure they got back to winning ways on the run in to the title began against Football college Manchester Men’s3. Their opponents had a clear opportunity to close the gap and boost their own title chances moving into the final third of the season.
Hearts began the game on the front foot and were playing some good football down the wings with the fullbacks given the license to push further up the field and join in the attacks. Numerous crosses from both sides of the field caused problems for the oppositions defence the only way out was the long ball up the field.
Greg Dyl played a long throw into the box and as the ball bobbled in the 6-yard box Nicholas Ndlela fired wide of the near post. Around the mid-way point a long ball was played forward and through the middle of the two Hearts central defenders and the opposition striker chased onto the ball and finished into the bottom right corner. A disappointed Hearts team knew they were in for a battle to win the 3 points now. Hearts pushed on before the break but were unable to score sending them into half time a goal down.
Half Time 0-1
Second Half
Mike Holt the Hearts manager made the decision to change the system at half time and go to a 3 -5-2 formation from a 4-4-1-1 formation. The change in formation benefited Hearts as 15 minutes into the second half Hearts drew level from Nicholas Ndlela, being in the right place at the right time to tap home from a Lewis Wilman cross. Hearts had all the momentum and chance after chance came as the change in system had the opposition pinned into their own half. The only way out again was a long ball which the back three, excellently marshalled by Liam Pullen, comfortably dealt with much to the frustrations of the oppositions strikers.
Hearts took the lead with 15 minutes to go as Greg Dyl managed to get the ball over the line to put Hearts 2-1 up. Hearts were working exceptionally hard and they were determined to see this game through. With around 5 minutes left William Tankoua won the ball back on the edge of the box and was kicked from his opponent which lead to a break in play as pulses and frustrations ran high from both teams. After the referee had settled the affair between both teams the game restarted and with few seconds remaining the opposition won a free kick 30 yards from goal as the keeper kicked the ball in to the box Hearts cleared and the final whistle was blown. Hearts gain another 3 points and return to winning ways on a very satisfying day for the academy. Hearts maintain top of the table with 4 games to go.
Next up Hearts entertain football college C Men’s 2 at Fox Park.
MOM Greg Dyl