Falkirk don beat Hearts 2-1 for Falkirk Stadium for Scottish Premiership match. Owen Eames first Falkirk goal earn dem first Scottish Premiership win of season against haphazard Hearts, who miss chance to move up to second.
On-loan Derby County midfielder Eames capitalize on horror ball across the backline from Hearts captain Harry Milne to finish in-off a post.
John McGlynn energetic Falkirk dey in front after eight minutes, courtesy of Ben Krauhaus cool finish after switch-off in the visiting defence.
But recalled Scotland striker James Wilson haul Hearts level 15 minutes later. The teenage forward – named in Sebastien Pocognoli first squad earlier on Tuesday – tap in fellow call-up Josh McPake neat cross for Wouter Vrancken side, and he should have put in front before the break, but got his angles all wrong.
Wilson was withdrawn at half-time and his replacement, JJ Williams, scuff a golden opportunity for Hearts – who would have leapfrogged Rangers on goal difference with a draw – as Falkirk continue to look a threat themselves.
Eames inexplicably hesitate in taking a shot, while visiting goalkeeper Beau Reus brilliantly deny Finley Barbrook with his boot. But, the Hearts goalkeeper could do nothing to deny the winner as Falkirk – who could have had a third when Ethan Ross skelp an upright – defeat Hearts in the top flight for the first time in 18 years.
When asked pre-match how his side could pull off ‘the big scalp’ he said it would be if Falkirk won this, McGlynn suggest ‘Hearts are not so solid at the back’. Not for the first time, the manager know what he dey talk about.
Ryan Strain was granted the freedom of Falkirk behind the visitors’ rearguard – with Milne and McPake sleeping – and keep his composure to seek out Krauhaus. His finish was emphatic, and nothing short of what the hosts deserved.
McGlynn say he had players who could hurt Hearts, and hurt them they did. When Eames tuck in, to get the disco lights flashing again, it was nothing short of what Falkirk deserved.
On the day he too was recalled into the international set-up goalkeeper Scott Bain come up with big saves to keep his team-mates – who run tirelessly – in it. The roar at the final whistle from the Falkirk fans was telling. An element of relief, no doubt, the monkey well and truly off the back.
For all the plaudits Hearts have rightly received this season, they will face fair criticism for this performance. The backline – comprising of three left-footed defenders – were dreadful and would have been punished even further against a more potent team.
Milne, who didn’t look comfortable or fully fit, was mauled in defence and struggled to strike anything going forward. His error which led to the winner was Hearts being the masters of their own downfall in a microcosm.
In possession, Vrancken’s side were so poor – not a trait associated with the Belgian‘s side in the early days of his tenure. His front three have caught the eye, but there was no cohesiveness about them and it was rather alarming how little involvement Claudio Braga had. Last season’s star man is struggling to get in on the act as much as he, his manager and supporters would like. It’s far from a ringing of alarm bells, but it’s a disappointment for a Hearts side searching for second.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn tell BBC Scotland: ‘I’m delighted for the players. They put so much work in there and played some excellent football and scored some good goals. I thought we were good in and out of possession. We have to be good as they [Hearts] have two lightning wingers who are absolutely flying and I am delighted to say we kept them fairly quiet tonight, which speaks volumes for the team and the way we set the team up. Absolutely delighted to get the monkey off the back and I think that’ll kick us on now. The teams above us not winning, it’s tightening up very quickly.’
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken tell BBC Scotland: ‘The performance was poor. When you look at the goals, they are two presents. We didn’t respond well. It is a mental thing. We had to match their energy and we didn’t do that. We didn’t take the responsibility when we had the ball. It was all reactive and, when you are reactive, you can’t dominate the game. We don’t find excuses. Let’s hope it is just a small setback.’
Ian McCall, former Falkirk winger on BBC Sportsound, talk say: ‘I think Falkirk were the better team for most of the game. They had three of four chances they didn’t take. They had all the better players. Owen Eames and Seb Ross were terrific. Hearts are showing signs of being too stretched in the squad with the number of injuries in defence and midfield defensive players. About seven at moment – it will take its toll.’
Allan Preston, former Hearts defender on BBC Sportsound, talk say: ‘The back four with three lefties was unbalanced. I felt sorry for Jamie McCart playing on the right. They were an absolute, utter shambles. Take nothing away from Falkirk, they deserved to win hands down. A real bad day at the office for Hearts and it was unacceptable. Yan Dhanda was the only one with pass marks, Claudio Braga was terrible and Harry Milne had his worst day as a Hearts player.’
Falkirk confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Scott Bain (GK), Ryan Strain, Lewis Neilson, Liam Henderson, Leon McCann, Finley Barbrook, Brad Spencer, Ethan Ross, Ben Krauhaus, Owen Eames, Jacob Murrell.
Hearts confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Beau Reus (GK), Jordi Altena, Jamie McCart, Stuart Findlay, Harry Milne, Yan Dhanda, Laurent Mendy, Calvin Miller, Claudio Braga, Joshua McPake, James Wilson.
