City prove too strong for gutsy Tynecastle

Edinburgh CITY proved too strong for a resolute Tynecastle defence although the clinching goal in this encounter – a glancing header from former Arbroath striker Robbie Ross – did not arrive until five minutes from full time.

The Tynecastle manager, Tom Steven, a former boss of City, set out his stall to defend with most of his team behind the ball and with Robbie Arthur playing as a lone striker supported by Darren Aird.

City should have taken the lead from the kick-off when Andy Howat scampered down the right flank from the half-way line and his inch perfect cross was met by Robbie Ross who headed the ball over the bar from point blank range.

However, Tynecastle rallied and from an Arthur free kick John Williams fired wide before Aird looked certain to score but Jamie Bain cleared the ball from the goal-line. A Jordan Caddow cross was then headed over by Aird and Arthur was only inches away from connecting with a Charles McAleavy through ball.

As the game entered the final minute of the first half, City defender Gary Cennerazzo found space and from 25 yards hit a low shot which was heading wide of the target before Howat managed the faintest of touches with his studs to direct the ball into the bottom corner of the net. There were appeals from the Tynecastle defenders that Howat was offside but the referee waved aside their pleas.

City dominated the early stages of the second half with Shaun Harrison – who put in a man-of-the-match performance until retiring injured – firing over a cross which Robbie Ross headed into the side-netting. A shot from Robbie Ross drifted wide then Ian McFarland, after a good passing move, also missed the target before City did notch a second goal in the 66th minute. McFarland, Cennerazzo and Dougie Gair all combined to set up Paul Devlin who netted from close range.

However, Tynecastle edged themselves back into contention only seven minutes later when a penetrating run from Arthur was unceremoniously halted in the penalty box. Arthur himself neatly dispatched the resultant spot kick.

The game was now poised on a knife edge but with only five minutes left, City substitute Ross Macnamara floated a free kick into the six yard box and Robbie Ross gleefully glanced a header into the bottom corner to ensure that all three points went to the visitors.

Gary Jardine, City’s co-manager, said: “It wasn’t a comfortable win although the scoreline suggests that it was. Tom [Steven] has turned Tynecastle around since he came in and you could see the way that they were organised it was going to be difficult. We tried to use the width of the pitch as Tynecastle stuck most of their players behind the ball.”

Tom Steven, the Tynecastle manager, said: “I thought that City were the better team although I also thought that their first goal was three yards offside. We are relying too much on Robbie Arthur to give us something in the final third. We need more players who can make a pass and change games.”

Tynecastle: Vannet, Saounela, D McAleavy, Morrison, Speed, Williams, C McAleavy (Morris 46), Hastings, Caddow, Aird (Mearns 75), Arthur. Subs: Wague, Gilbertson.

Edinburgh City: Stobie, Cennerazzo, K Ross, Harrison (Macnamara 64), Bain, McFarland, Howat, Gair, R Ross, Devlin (Elliot 88), Torrance (Vanson 87). Subs: Hunter, Wilson.

Referee: Michael Gill