Hearts V Livingston – Scottish Cup Fifth Round (12/02/2022)
Cup fever may not have gripped the majority of the Hearts support today, but I was buzzing. Although we drew a team from the same league as us it feels different than a league game, a win and your in the draw for the quarter finals. Had a different walk to Tynecastle than I usually do as I got a lift from Colin, a fellow Jambo living in Falkirk, my walk took me from behind Murrayfield towards Tynecastle.
The starting eleven saw a few changes from the Dundee game, one being Liam Boyce being left on the bench but Robbie Nielson is the manager for a reason. With the lower attendance today that meant that it didn’t take me long to get my prematch pie, which was blessing as I decided on a lie in so didn’t have chance to grab any dinner before leaving.
For todays game the Jambos were wearing all maroon, rather than the usual maroon shirts and white shorts due to Livingston playing in all white. As well as that the Roseburn Stand only had away fans in Block M and was closed to home fans, reflecting the low attendance. Also no Scott Wilson announcing the teams and the Hearts song wasn’t played prematch, which was really odd.
It was good to see Michael Smith back in the side, as he instills a confidence in the team and seems to calm the side down. Hearts had the better of the opening 10 minutes, creating more chances and Barrie McKay had the pick of them forcing a good save from Stryjek in the Livi goal.
Hearts continued to have the bulk of possession but with no end product. A lot of the play seemed to be attempting to go through Baningime who in my opinion was slowing the play down to walking pace, which was killing any progress.
The rain I thought I’d left behind in Grangemouth began to pour down, which meant the floodlights went on full. Not sure what it is but always adds to the occasion when the lights go on. The sudden downpour saw the majority of people sitting in the front of the main stand head to some of the empty seats further back.
The first half felt like a repeat of Wednesday night, as Hearts had the possession but did nothing with it. Not really a first half to remember. I was still hungry, so decided to get another pie which seemed the wrong choice as I spent the whole 15 minutes queuing, seems I chose the wrong queue as I missed the second half kicking off.
After missing the first 3 minutes of the second half it seemed I hadn’t missed much as the person sat next to me informed me it was more of the same from Hearts. I was really surprised that there was no changes at half time to be honest. The changes came just shy of 60 minutes as Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven came on for Halliday and Cochrane.
Yet again the problem with throw ins reared it’s head, with no options for the player taking the throw and a lack of movement.
The away side should have taken the lead if it wasn’t for the post saving Hearts blushes, the defence seemed to stand and watch the players in white move into the box and Pittman’s shot was deflected over Gordon and hit the inside of the post.
Play was halted for a lengthy period after Peter Haring clashed heads with Pittman, which resulted in the Hearts substitute being bandaged up. Livingston had the ball in the net after some awful marking from Patterson but luckily for Hearts it was ruled out for offside.
As the second half moved towards its end, the Hearts wingers, McKay and Mackay-Steven, seemed to have gone missing as neither were involved in the game. It took until time added on for them to begin to get on the ball.
A drab 90 minutes of football was extended as with the scores finishing 0-0, half an hour extra time was needed. I don’t think the stewards knew what was happening, maybe they were expecting a pitch invasion as they lined the pitch in something I’ve not seen before.
The best Hearts chance came after 97 minutes as a Peter Haring header looked to be going in but it couldn’t find a way into the Livingston net. Up to that point it was the best move of the game from a Hearts prospective.
Extra time passed without much to shout about, Hearts looked lively with 5 minutes to play but as with the other 115 minutes couldn’t find a goal. So it would be penalties.
Shinnie – Scored (0-1)
Souttar – Scored (1-1)
Kelly – Scored (1-2)
Haring – Scored (2-2)
Holt – Scored (2-3)
Woodburn – Scored (3-3)
Montaño – Missed (3-3)
Simms – Scored (4-3)
Obileye – Missed (4-3)
All in all a poor game of football, not one that’s going to live long in the memory that’s for sure. I’m not sure if it’s a lack of confidence following the recent defeats but the performance was really poor. But at least Hearts are through into the hat for quarter finals on Monday, that’s the main thing.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £15
Programme Price – £4 (Double edition)
Programme Rating – 8/10
Refreshments – 8/10
Stadium Facilities – 7/10
Getting To Stadium – 8/10
Stadium Rating – 9/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Livingston.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 