Heart of Midlothian 4 Raith Rovers 2 (after extra-time)
William Hill Scottish Cup Fourth Round Replay, – Wednesday 25th January 2017 -Tynecastle
Hearts made hard work of progressing to the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup on Wednesday evening, requiring extra-time to see off the challenge of Championship side Raith Rovers.
It was a long evening in more ways than one for the long-suffering Maroon Army. Rovers, manager by former Hearts captain and manager Gary Locke, gave as good as they got and took an early lead through Barr. Hearts levelled through Currie and it required an extra thirty minutes for the home side to go through thanks to extra-time goals from Martin, Walker and Johnsen.
Hearts Head Coach Ian Cathro made two changes from the team that threw away the first game at Kirkcaldy on Sunday. And they were surprise changes too – Don Cowie and Krystian Nowak being replaced by Prince Buaben and 18-year-old striker Rory Currie.
The visitors were first to threaten when McManus, scorer of Raith’s equaliser on Sunday, raced past Aaron Hughes but his effort on goal was saved by Jack Hamilton.
Jamie Walker was then thwarted as Hearts struggled to take command of the game.
In the 14th minute Tynecastle was stunned when Rovers took the lead. Barr was given the freedom of Gorgie to run in on goal and his shot took a deflection before spinning past Hamilton.
The home crowd were becoming restless and voiced their concern when M’Voto almost doubled the visitors’ lead with a header.
This finally spurred the home team to life and Malaury Martin’s free-kick fell at the feet of Andraz Struna who brought out a fine save from Rovers keeper Cuthbert.
Ten minutes before half-time Hearts equalised. Fine play from Bjorn Johnsen set up Rory Currie and the teenager found the net from close range. Relief around most of Tynecastle.
Half-time Hearts 1 Raith Rovers 1
There was a welcome sight for Hearts fans at the beginning of the second half when Sam Nicholson appeared as a substitute, the winger’s first appearance since October. He replaced Buaben.
Raith remained defiant and Stewart nearly put the Fifers back in front before Currie had a chance for the home team but his header was straight at Cuthbert.
Twenty minutes from the end, Sam Nicholson almost marked his return to the Hearts first team with a goal but his header struck the crossbar.
Moments later, Jamie Walker was fouled in the penalty box but referee John Beaton refused to give a penalty kick.
Despite a frantic end to the 90 minutes, there was no further scoring and the game went into extra-time.
Hearts were hoping their superior fitness levels would prove key and so it proved at the beginning of extra-time when Walker was again fouled in the penalty box. This time referee Beaton awarded the spot kick which was duly dispatched by Malaury Martin and Hearts, at last, were ahead in the tie.
But not for long.
Seven minutes later a mistake from John Souttar was capitalised on by Raith’s Stewart who passed to Hardie who made no mistake. 2-2 and it looked like a penalty shoot-out was on the cards.
However, just four minutes later Hearts were awarded another penalty kick, again for a foul on Walker. Jamie took the kick himself and Hearts were back in front.
A further late goal from Bjorn Johnsen sealed the victory and put Hearts through to the fifth round where they will face more lower league opposition when Hibernian come to Tynecastle in the second weekend in February.
Hearts: Hamilton, Struna (Smith, 91′), Souttar, Hughes, Sowah, Kitchen, Buaben (Nicholson, 46′ – Sammon, 108′), Martin, Walker, Currie (Zanatta, 99′), Johnsen.
Raith Rovers: Cuthbert, McHattie, Callachan, M’Voto, Benedictus, Stewart, B.Barr (Johnston, 99′), Matthews, Davidson (Thomson, 70′), McManus (Skacel, 99′), Thompson (Hardie, 79′).
Referee: John Beaton
Att: 10,740
Top Man: Rory Currie
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
