Hearts slip up at home

Aberdeen’s Fraser Fyvie became the Scottish Premier League’s youngest ever goal-scorer at the age of sixteen years and ten months. Twelve minutes, in Fyvie latched on to a Mark Kerr through ball, leaving the Hearts defense looking hopefully for an offside flag. With only the keeper to beat, the youngster kept his cool and side-footed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with the composure of a veteran.

It was a physical encounter at Tynecastle, exemplified early on when the Jambos’ Ismael Bouzid had to receive lengthy treatment for a facial injury after a clash with Mackie after only seven minutes.

The Dons had a great chance to go two-nil up after twenty-five minutes, as they broke three on two: Mark Kerr surged forwards with Miller and Mackie up ahead of him, but the tireless Jambos skipper Michael Stewart came across to intercept a troublesome through ball from the opposition captain.

Hearts felt hard done by on the half-hour mark, as referee Mike Tumilty denied them a penalty. Aberdeen’s Jerel Ifil went in hard on Stewart only for the referee to stop play for an earlier offense, much to the dismay of the home fans.

The Jambos dominated in the 15 minutes leading up to half time. Stewart felt a raised arm in the Aberdeen wall handled his free kick, but again the referee wasn’t interested. Ian Black should then have equalized with a first-time shot after Scott Robinson headed down a long ball into his path, but, unfortunately for Hearts, keeper James Langfield smothered Black’s effort.

The home side started terribly after the interval, and Darren Mackie doubled Aberdeen’s tally after only five minutes. Mark Kerr provided yet another clinical through ball allowing Mackie to show his pace to round Hearts keeper Marian Kello and fire the ball into an open net.

It went from bad to worse for Hearts when Derek Young scored in his second successive match, adding the third on the seventy-six minute mark with a 40-yard free kick. Heart’s keeper Marion Kello was caught flat-footed by Young’s clipped ball into the box, which found a way through the crowded penalty area and ended up on the back of the net.

Hearts’ youngster Scott Robinson was the only genuine threat to an otherwise solid looking Aberdeen centre-back partnership of Ifil and Mulgrew. Aged only 16 years and one month, the youngest player in the league showed good skill, pace, and determination. Unfortunately Robinson had to come off with ten minutes play having picked up a knock on the knee that Hearts manager Laszlo stated after the game was “not an accident”.

The game was marred when Hearts’ Ian Black picked up a horrific injury two minutes from time. Black was beaten to a 50/50 aerial challenge but landed awkwardly and jarred his back. The 24-year-old required oxygen and had to be carried off on a stretcher, leaving Hearts with only nine men on the pitch.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGee admitted in the post-match conference that he was surprised to win so comfortably but delighted nonetheless. He added, “It was our most complete performance of the season. Hopefully we can maintain that now. That’s the challenge.”

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo voiced his disappointment. “We lost three goals and four players through injury. This makes a very bad night for us”.