Hearts V Motherwell (Tynecastle Park 02/10/2021)

Hearts V Motherwell – Cinch Scottish Premiership (02/10/2021)

A lot easier trip to the capital for me this week compared to last weeks rather expensive debacle. The train from Stepps to Edinburgh was surprisingly quiet and thankfully the rain eased off as I walked into Gorgie from Haymarket. Stopped off on the way at The Gorgie Fish Bar for a pair of jumbo sausages, which were bloody delightful, if you’ve not been there before a game at Tynecastle then your missing out.

I got the ground at about twenty past two, as they were checking vaccine passports at today’s game as there would be more than 10,000 fans in attendance, although I use the word check loosely as all they did was a quick glance at my phone. I’m glad I turned up early as there was a bit of a queue to get into the Wheatfield Stand and once again my seat had been moved, this time a row back and in the middle of Block F. Got myself a water and a Fanta before the game as there was no queue, for the price of £3.20 for the two drinks. I think going forward I’ll get my water before the game as it was cold, rather than being sat there for the first half going warm and stale.

A tasty atmosphere as the game kicked off, a top end of the table clash with both teams at the right end of the table and both sets of fans in fine voice. With no more than 4 minutes played Liam Boyce was brought down in the box by the Motherwell keeper, must admit it looked a bit dubious but who cares Hearts were handed a penalty much to the protests of the Motherwell players. Top scorer Liam Boyce confidently put the penalty away for his 10th goal of the season and a goal which sent Hearts to top of the league.

Hearts got a well deserved second goal on 22 minutes after Baningime drew a foul on the edge of the box, and free kick specialist Stephen Kingsley stepped up and got the ball over the wall and into the back of the net for 2-0 to the Jam Tarts. What a difference since the last time Hearts were a top flight team, celebrating the goal the whole team ran to the bench to celebrate and showed what unity there is in the team now.

Tony Watt went close for the visitors from distance with Craig Gordon pushing the ball over he bar, then from the resulting corner Gordon made a class double save to keep the score at 2-0.

What a superb first half of football from a Hearts point of view, looked great going forward, passing the ball well and solid at the back. Still a few moaners sat around me in Block F even though we were two goals to the good, I guess you just can’t please some people. It did make me happy to hear chants praising Robbie Nielson being sang by a big chunk of the home support, for the majority the feel good factor is back at Tynecastle.

The second half started on a sour note as Hearts centre back Craig Halkett limped off and headed straight down the tunnel. Cammy Devlin was pulled down in the box shortly after and Hearts had a second penalty, Boyce was the obvious choice for the spot kick but this time the keeper guessed right and made the save.

The referee decided he hadn’t been the talking point of the game, so began to make the usual comical errors expected from a Scottish official. First booking Moore for a challenge where he seemed to win the ball and then not booking a Motherwell player for making no attempt for the ball, Scottish refereeing is consistent but unfortunately consistently bad.

The second half didn’t offer too many highlights but Hearts did more than enough to keep the 2-0 lead and another clean sheet. Worryingly a few Hearts players looked like they took a knock, let’s hope they are something they can shake off during the week.

A fifth win of the season for Hearts, still unbeaten and sitting top of the league, it’s pretty good for Hearts fans at the moment. Another solid home performance and some great individual performances, my man of the match was Cammy Devlin, who did well keeping the game under control in midfield.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – Season Ticket

Programme Price – £3.50

Programme Rating – 8/10

Refreshments – 6/10

Stadium Facilities – 7/10

Getting To Stadium – 8/10

Stadium Rating – 9/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Motherwell.

Daz Carding