Three and easy: Hearts back on track
Hearts moved to within one point of Championship leaders Dunfermline with a convincing 3-0 win over Alloa at Tynecastle last night.
The Gorgie side, who lost for the first time this sea
son against the Pars in Fife on Friday, took the lead in the sixth minute through a Michael Smith volley. Andy Halliday added a second in the 24th minute and Peter Haring added a third to put the home side in a com
for table p osition at halftime. Liam Boyce wasted a chance to put Hearts further ahead when he had a p enalt y saved after the break
HEARTS 3
Smith 6, Halliday 24, Haring 37 ALLOA ATHLETIC 0
Hearts over whelmed Alloa Athletic with an intense display and some clinical finishing to move within a point of the Championship summit.
It was precisely the type of response manager Robbie Neilson wanted after last Friday’s defeat at Dunfermline.
The hosts were 3-0 ahead by half-time at Tynecastle Park, making light of mon soonlike conditions on a night which could have been far less straightforward.
Michael Smith and Andy Halliday both scored their second goals of the season, while Peter Haring rippled netting for the first time since April 2019.
Liam Boyce failed to convert two penalties in the second half but by then the final result was not in doubt. Part-time Alloa offered little attacking threat despite plenty endeavour.
There was motivation galore for Hearts after losing their 100 per cent record at East End Park. For Alloa, bottom of the Championship with only one point, this was the proverbial free hit at the big boys.
These teams meet again in Clackmannanshire on Saturday with a Betfred Cup quarterfinal place at stake.
The victor in this match would therefore carry a useful psychological advantage into that tie.
Tynecastle on a midweek night under the floodlights is synonymous with a crackling atmosphere . Sadly, Covid regulations mean that is very much on hold.
There are hopes of more supporters being allowed into Scottish stadiums in line with the gradual return of fans in England.
However, the Scottish Government are reluctant to follow that approach in areas where the virus remains prevalent.
Accurate transmission of the ball was the priority as rain tipped from the heavens above Gorgie, demonstrated when Hearts scored inside six minutes. Stephen Kingsley’s clipped cross from the left was stroked home by fellow full-back Smith at the back post.
The second goal on 24 minutes was an even better example of crisp passing. Steven Naismith fed Boyce 25 yards from goal and the Northern Irishman spun to thread a precise through pass to match Halliday’s incisive run.
He flicked a one-touch finish low beyond the Alloa goalkeeper Neil Parry.
The visitors’ downfall was ceding possession deep in their own half. It was there - fore no surprise when Haring drove home a third from Jamie Walker’s cutback eight minutes before the interval.
Alloa’s first proper attempt on target came on 50 minutes and did not trouble Craig Gordon in the Hearts goal.
There was little change in the flow of play towards Parry and the notion that the game was already won was hard to dis
miss. Halliday became Boyce’s provider midway through the second period with a through ball, and the striker was brought down by Liam Dick for a penalty.
Boyce stepped up to the spot but Parry saved low to his left.
Referee Grant Irvine ordered a re-take for encroaching by the goalkeeper, and this time Boyce’s effort skimmed the top
of the crossbar on its way into the Gorgie Road Stand. If that was a disappointing way to finish, those in maroon took consolation from the fact their work was already done.
Hearts: Gordon; M Smith (Popescu 65), Halkett, Berra, Kingsley; Haring, Halliday (Lee 71); Walker, Naismith, Roberts (White 57); Boyce.
Alloa: Parry; Robertson, Graham, Taggart, Dick; Grant, Hetherington; Cawley (Scougall 71), Trouten, Murray (Connolly 81); Thomson (Buchanan 46).