Hearts defeat Arbroath despite rocky start

Hearts of Midlothian did not perform as they did against Dundee on Tuesday night but still managed to get the job done with a 1-0 victory over Arbroath.

At Gayfield Park, directly on top of the North Sea in Arbroath, it was surprisingly mild weather wise. Hearts came into town with plans to create a storm, but that storm was well and truly under the Litchies control for most of the game. 

Hearts warm up ahead of their match against Arbroath

In the first half, it was the home side who made the greater impression on the game. Former Partick Thistle stalwart Kris Doolan was denied twice in the space of ten minutes by the well-prepared Craig Gordon in the Hearts nets. Both chances were well saved and, on another day, might well have put Arbroath up 2-0 before the half.

Hearts went forward many times too but to no avail. Despite winning a number of corners there was nothing to separate their play from that of  Arbroath. Both sides went into half-time somewhat distraught at this lack of separation, but at this stage it was Arbroath who were more deserving of a goal.

In the second half, Hearts showed some play reminiscent of their previous game versus Dundee. Liam Boyce was creative, linking some fine play with the midfield and his forward partner Jamie Walker.

As Hearts looked on the brink of a goal, Michael Smith had a shot blocked after a driving forward run from Andy Halliday and some neat play by Walker. However, Gaston in goals for Arbroath was a match for anything coming his way.

Hearts keeper Craig Gordon refused to let the ball by him in the 1-0 victory

65 minutes in, Hearts had the best chance of the game so far when Craig Wighton should have scored after a cutely passed ball from Olly Lee the him through on goal. Even this shot was saved, however, by Arbroath’s onrushing goalkeeper Derek Gaston.

Hearts finally opened scoring on the 70th minute when a looping ball over the Arbroath defence was caught by Wighton. He latched on to the ball and was able to lob it past the Arbroath keeper confidently from ten yards.

Hearts played out the remaining moments of the game by holding onto the ball and Arbroath just couldn’t capitalize. Referee Greg Aiken blew the whistle for full time, marking two games and two wins for Hearts to open the season.