Elgin City 0 Hearts 1

Betfred Cup, Tuesday 18th July, Borough Briggs

Hearts kicked off their 2017/18 season 170 miles away with their opening tie in the Betfred Cup against Ladbrokes League Two side Elgin City.

Tynecastle Head Coach Ian Cathro picked a strong side with striker Kyle Lafferty partnering Isma Goncalves up front against an Elgin City side that shipped six goals to Dunfermline Athletic in the same competition on Saturday. City are presently managed by former Hearts centre half Jim Weir.

Hearts had impressed in pre-season friendlies against Linfield and Newcastle United and dominated the game at Borough Briggs – but, as was so often the case last season, struggled to make their dominance count. The 500 Hearts fans who made the long journey north on a Tuesday evening would have felt frustrated as half-time arrived with the game still goalless.

However, Hearts new signing Kyle Lafferty settled the visitor’s nerves fifteen minutes into the second half when he fired home a cross from fellow new recruit Rafal Grzelak to put the Jambos in front.

Although Hearts never looked in any real danger, Ian Cathro will be relieved to see his team head back to the capital city with three points

Elgin City: Waters, Cooper, Bronsky, McHardy, Smith, Dodd, Cameron, McGovern, Reilly, Sutherland, Allan

Hearts: Hamilton, Hughes, Berra, Nowak, M.Smith, Buaben, Cowie, Walker, Smith-Brown, Lafferty, Goncalves

Referee: Steven Kirkland

Att: 1,303

Top man: Michael Smith – even if I say so myself!

 

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Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874