Hearts’ spell in Ireland ended with a four-two win over Shelbourne, which followed up the win over Bohemians earlier in the week. Once again, as with that Bohemians win, a couple of late goals secured the win at Tolka Park on Saturday.
Robbie Neilson again made full use of his squad, naming two different sides in each half with the opening 45 seeing Ozturk given his fist start of pre-season as he took the captains armband but when he was forced off early on, Howlett-Mundle coming on, this was passed to Augustyn.
Shelbourne were threatening us earlier on before Oliver (28), who had been causing problems for the home defence got in to open the scoring with that goal enough to send us into half time one-up.
The whole XI, sub Mowlett-Mundle aside, was changed at the break with trialists Bajraktari having got another 45-minutes under his belt. It was Shelbourne that drew level in the early exchanges of the second half as English (53), who had himself caused us first half problems, made the most our defensive uncertainty to round ‘keeper Hamilton to make in one-one.
Not that it stayed level for long! Within minutes, with the hosts defence guilty of error this time, Nicholson (57) went through to make it two-one to Hearts.
With 10-minutes remaining McGhee (80) curled in a free kick that left Shelbourne ‘keeper Murray with no chance but once more the home side fought back with the unmarked English (82) heading home a second to make it two-three.
A four-two win was secured with Juanma (90) finishing off Sow break forward and cut back to see us head away from Ireland with another win and, as much as results but performance to build up fitness, aren’t the main thing this was a good way to end our stay in Dublin….
Next up on Tuesday are Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.
Hearts first-half: Alexander, Paterson, Ozturk (Howlett-Mundle, 26′), Augustyn, McHattie, Oliver, Anderson, Bajraktari, Walker, El Hassnaoui, Reilly.
Hearts second-half: Hamilton, Smith, Howlett-Mundle, McGhee, Henderson, King, Gomis, Buaben, Nicholson, Juanma, Sow.
A full report from this pre-season friendly is available on the Official Website.
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