Hearts dominated the game early on and made their pressure count when they opened the scoring in the 4^th minute when Gemma Piaskowski’s corner was attacked well by center half Danni Johnstone, although the ball came of Ellyn Goldie’s shoulder last before resting in the corner of the net.

However, Spartans recovered well and had a spell of dominance but unlike their opponents they could not make their pressure count. Helen Lyons came close twice as did Anne Smollett and Laura McRitchie, but they could not equalise.

Hearts extended their lead with the goal of the game in the 27^th minute when Kirston Reiley played a one-two on the edge of the box with Kim Borthwick before the ball broke to Shona McGovern who calmly slotted the ball under Steph Ireland.

But still Spartans pressed the ball quickly and continue to fight, not allowing there more experienced opponents to settle in possession. McRichie went close again but her shot from the left was easily saved by Hearts keeper Lorna Esson. Tara wright also had a pot shot on the edge of the box before half time, but she couldn’t direct the ball on target.

However, Hearts secured the result on the half time whistle when Kim Borthwick worked space on the edge of the box, before firing high over Ireland and in to the back of the Spartans net.

HALF TIME: Spartans 0-3 Hearts

The second half was much like the first. Spartans continued to press the ball forcing mistakes from the Hearts players, but at the other end failing to convert their chances. McRitchide spurned the best chance of the game when she hooked a shot wide when one-on-one with the keeper.

Anne Smollett continue to run herself in to the ground upfront  and got the break of the ball she had been waiting for, but failed o take the chance to shoot when it came, and the attack came to nothing.

In defence all of the Spartans back four were putting in titanic performances, none more so than captain Michelle Magee, which gave Steph very little to do in goal.

However, Hearts scored twice from corners before the end of the game. One went in off the backside of Spartans substitute Jen Robertson, and the other was a scramble on the goaline before Karen Wilkins completed the Hearts scoring.

However, Noreen Pinkman grabbed Spartans a well deserved consolation in the dying moments of the game.

Final Score: Spartans B 1-5 Hearts

Spartans Team: Steph Ireland, Lisa MickleJohn, Michelle Magee, Tara Wright, Noreen Pinkman, Maggie Donald, Ellyn Goldie (Louise Humphrey 63), Heather Laing, Laura McRitchie (Jen Robertson 78), Anne Smollet, Helen Lyon (Hannah Craig 63)

Man of the Match: Maggie Donald

Management thoughts:

There was a lot said about the game today after Hearts turned us over in preseason 9-1. Before the game Gordon, Lisa and I could tell the girls were nervous.

But barring the first four minutes we ddnt play like it. Once we went a goal down, we just threw caution to the wind and went searching for a goal. I had been preaching to the girls all week that the first ten minutes would be vital today, but we didn’t navigate through it particularly well. But the way we recovered was admirable.

Many of the girls ran themselves in to the ground today, but none more so than Maggie, who led by example today (and has the war wounds to show it). Also special praise has to go to Tara and Anne who carried what we asked them to do to the letter! Well done ladies.

As of next week, we have many girls coming back in to contention for selection, but after the way the players performed today, they are going to have to put in an exceptions week’s worth of training to dislodge the girls who played well today.

Bring on Stonehaven!!