Thistle too sharp for wee Jambos
Hearts fielded a young side with no over-age players, while Partick Thistle had two over-age members in the team.
The Tynecastle side got away to the worst possible start, losing a goal in the first 30 seconds from their own kick-off.
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Hide AdThe ball was worked back from the start through a split Hearts defence, with Thistle’s Antonio German releasing a cross ball for Kevin Nesbit to score from close range.
In reply, Ian Smith fired a shot into the side netting, but Thistle were soon back on the attack forcing Kelby Mason into two fine saves. Hearts lost a second goal on 26 minutes when Dominic Docherty netted from close range in a goalmouth scramble.
Dale Baxter should have reduced the deficit on 33 minutes, but fired over the crossbar. Four minutes later, Robbie Buchanan had a 20-yard shot saved.
Early in the second half, Docherty steered a shot past a post with the goal at his mercy. Hearts made a double change on the hour mark and from then on had the better of the exchanges.
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Hide AdOn 71 minutes, Buchanan headed a Callumn Morrison cross against the face of the crossbar, before Mason’s fine diving save from German. In the closing minutes, Alistair Roy had a shot blocked and Liam Henderson headed a cross narrowly over the bar.
Hearts: Mason; Morrison, Baur, Jones, L Henderson, I Smith ( Reid 60 ), McKirdy, Beith, Baxter ( Irving 60 ), Buchanan, Roy. Subs Unused; Fisher G/K, K Smith;