Match Reports by Shane Fenton
Photos by Jane Barr
SATURDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2009
STAR HEARTS .....4 FALLIN AMATEURS .....2
In conditions more akin to kite flying Hearts battled back from two down to book their place in round two of the Scottish Amateur Cup.
After nearly putting through his own goals full back Scott Eastaugh set up Danny Moffat at the other end to send in an angled drive which forced 'keeper Scott Craig to push away for a corner.
Moffat then passed up another chance when clean through, his effort was blocked this time by the keeper’s legs.
The home side was made to pay for the missed chances when the Stirlingshire Premier League side took the lead in 37 minutes with Richard Carroll running in on goal to fire past Chris Pratt.
Three minutes later the advantage was doubled when Andrew Bone got behind the home defense to slot into the net.
Star were given a lifeline in first half added time when they were awarded a free kick out on the right flank, Moffat whizzed the ball into the packed goal area where it deflected of a Fallin defender and nestled in the corner of the net.
The visitors went close again after the restart, John Johnstone who was the Stirlingshire's sides best player sent in a free kick which Pratt was forced to touch over for a corner.
Midway through the half parity was restored when a Moffat effort broke into the path of Cumbie Bowers who had the simple task of sliding into the empty net.
The home side was now playing with more confidence and went in front for the first time in 70 minutes. The ball was worked through to Martin Ritchie who cut into the box before dispatching the ball past Craig.
With the strengthening wind now whistling through the avenue of trees which envelops the park, Hearts sealed their round two place with a fourth in 80 minutes, with a Moffat free kick breaking for Andy Wilson to steer into the net.
STAR HEARTS
Pratt; Hutchison; Eastaugh; Tierney; Duncan; Wilson; Pearson; Gear; Ritchie; Moffat; Bowers.
STAR HEARTS .... 2 FAIR CITY .... 0
Fair City keeper does well under pressure
Gary Pearson gets goal No1
Andy Wilson slots in goal No2
SATURDAY 17th OCTOBER 2009
SCOTTISH AMATEUR CUP (EAST REGION) - 2nd ROUND
Dunedin Athletic ..... 2 Star Hearts ..... 4
This Scottish Cup win in the Capital saw Star win for the third game in succession, the first time this has happened for 40 months.
On a very tight pitch the visitors were finding plenty space down the left flank and went close to opening the scoring with efforts from both Mitchell and Moffat.
Star eventually broke the deadlock midway through the half, good build up play between Ritchie and Eastaugh saw the latter set up Pearson to volley home.
Hearts continued to press and Gear was first to react when the
Moffat then sent in an effort which the 'keeper blocked away for a corner.
The visitors doubled their advantage in 34 minutes, Ritchie was through on goal when he was impeded in the box, the referee pointed to the penalty spot and Duncan stepped up to net his first goal for the Treaton Park side.
Five minutes after the restart the Edinburgh side pulled a goal back when a shot from the edge of the box dipped over the head of Star 'keeper Chris Pratt and into the net, the homesters had their best spell after this but couldn't add to their tally.
Star restored their two goal advantage in 71 minutes, a free kick was knocked into the box; the ball found the head of Pearson who nodded it into the path of the Star substitute to sweep into the net.
Star continued to dominate, but were made to pay for missed chances when the homeside added to their tally, after a break down the right the ball was deflected beyond Pratt and it fell for the Dunedin forward to net from close range.
Star booked their place in Wednesday's draw with a fourth goal in time added on, the goalkeeper failed to gather a Moffat free kick and the ball trundled through his legs and into the net.
STAR HEARTS: Pratt; Hutchison; Tierney; Duncan; Eastaugh; Mitchell; Pearson; Ritchie; Wilson;Moffat; Gear.
SUBS: Falconer; McConnell; Crawford.
SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER 2009
1st Rnd Fife Cup
Lomond United .....1 Star Hearts ......3
Despite having a number of players unavailable Star were still too strong for Fife AFA outfit Lomond United and progressed to the second round of the Fife Amateur Cup.
The game at Markinch was played on a barely playable gluepot of a park which had been used for another match in the morning.
Hearts still however managed to grind out a result with goals from Mark Brennan (2) and Cumbie Bowers, giving the
This Saturday (Nov 7th) Star travel to Perthshire to take on Auchterarder Primrose in round three of the Scottish Amateur Cup.
