U20s v Hearts

Under 20s open their Development League campaign. Gary Oliver (38) 1-0; Chigozie Ugwu (41) 1-1; Jamie Walker (94) 2-1 Match Pictures

HEARTS 2 DUNFERMLINE 1

Several first team players in need of match practice travelled to New Victoria Park, home of Newtongrange Star, to face Hearts on Monday night. John Potter's side included Allan Smith, Ryan Wallace, Andy Stirling and the Pars latest signing Chigozie Ugwu.

Both sides started the match with attacking intentions but it was Wallace who had the first serious attempt at goal his on target shot from the right side of the box being blocked by a defender. The Pars forced a few corners as they enjoyed the best of the opening quarter of an hour.

On 20 minutes Stirling picked out Smith on the right and his netbound shot was deflected behind for a corner on the left. When Stirling sent that over Ugwu came close to getting in a header but Hearts defence stole the ball away.

Jordan Orru pushed up next earning another corner but when that came to nothing the Pars were fortunate at the other end. Hearts David Smith rattled the crossbar after ghosting in on the left and a further let off followed in 24 minutes when Gary Oliver's shot was scooped over the bar from close in.

Mercer sent Williamson up the right on the half hour and when he was harshly dispossessed on the edge of the box Smith tried a snapshot that rocketed wide left.

The home side came into the match more as the break got closer. Jason Holt had a 25 yard effort deflected over for a corner and the ball flashed through the six yard box from the setpiece. The a surging run by Jamie Walker penetrated the Pars defence and receiving the ball back off Sean McKirdy, he laid off a great opportunity for Gary OLIVER that he could hardly miss. 1-0

The Jambos lead last barely three minutes with the Pars striking back in 41st. Smith harrassed the Hearts defence on the edge of their box and he stuck the ball out right for UGWU to draw the keeper and finish with aplomb. 1-1

The Pars could then count themselves lucky with a couple of close things in front of goal. Skipper Williamson was the hero with a last gasp intervention to deny James Keatings.

Half time: Hearts 1 Dunfermline 1

Walker created the first opportunity of the second half delivering a great ball from the right that Page did really well to cut out in front of Oliver at the near post. Hearts piled on some pressure but McKirdy's long range effort was all that Wilson hasd to deal with.

In 52 minutes Stirling blocked Keatings out and Hearts won a corner on the right. When that was played short Holt got into space and he powered an effort from 25 yards that dropped wide right. At the other end Wallace worked hard to set up McClair but he was off target with his shot from the edge of the box.

Wallace continued to be the playmaker and was desperately unlucky in 57 minutes after Ugwu tried a backheeler into his team mate's path. Hearts cut out the pass to deny the former Tynecastle man a goal.

Gavin McMillan replaced Scott Mercer just beyond the hour mark but Hearts continued to create the better chances. Holt fed the ball out wide for Liam Smith on the overlap and Oliver was very close when he met the cross at the near post but he shot wide right.

Wilson held a long range effort from Hearts Smith before James Thomas came on for Allan Smith. The young striker was sent on to lead the attack with Ugwu and was really unlucky when unable to accept a chance following a soaring run from McMillan.

In 75 minutes a Williamson run was defended in the Hearts box but the clearance fell nicely for Wallace 25 yards out but his sights were just narrowly out and the ball escaped outside the right upright.

Hearts then lost their keeper Robbie Brown to injury and their sub keeper Luke Williams came on with ten minutes remaining. He might have lost a goal rioght away as well since he was nowhere near Ugwu's shot from the left side of the box but unfortunately the ball scraped past the post.

Wallace's 84th minute shot was deflected away for a corner on the right but when Stirling sent that over, Page's header also failed to test the young replacement keeper. Two Hearts corners in quick succession did no damage and then on 90 minutes a Williamson cross came perilously close to finding an opening but Thomas was just denied a header on target by his marker.

It looked like there was a point to take back to Fife but there was to be a sickening ending for the Pars. In the fourth minute of added time Jamie WALKER was allowed space 25 yards out and he hammered a low shot under Wilson as he dived to his right. 2-1

Listen to coach John Potter`s post match thoughts

HEARTS: Robbie Brown (Luke Williams 79); Liam Smith, Liam Henderson, Liam Gordon, Greg Page, Sean McKirdy (Alastair Roy 69), Jamie Walker, Jason Holt, Gary Oliver, James Keatings, David Smith (Nathan Flanaghan 78).
SUBS NOT USED: Aaron Scott, James Smith
YELLOW CARD: Keatings (60)

DUNFERMLINE: Jamie Wilson; Ryan Williamson (c), Stuart Morrison, Jonathan Page, Jordan Orru; Scott Mercer (Gavin McMillan 61), Cammy McClair (Paul Joseph Crossan 79), Ryan Wallace, Andy Stirling; Allan Smith (James Thomas 69), Chigozie Ugwu
SUB NOT USED: Cammy Gill (GK).
YELLOW CARD: Wallace (45), Ugwu (46), Orru (63), McMillan (87)

REFEREE: Mike Taylor
WEATHER: Overcast 13C

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v Hibernian
Tuesday 2nd September

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