Hearts 3-0 Livingston - Match Report

A dominant Hearts display saw them climb into second spot after a comfortable 3-0 win on a sun-lit Tynecastle Park.

Goals from Michael Smith, Liam Boyce and Alex Cochrane ensured all three points for the Jam Tarts as they leapfrogged Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

The visitors started the brighter of the pair, forcing the ball down the wings. The pick of the crosses missing last Sunday’s hero, Andrew Shinnie, by a matter of centimetres, with the goal at his mercy.

To the home fans delight, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 25th minute from a moment of magic. With a drop of the shoulder, Barry Mackay turned, finding acres of space. He switched to Ben Woodburn who calmly layed it into the path of Michael Smith who finished emphatically, curling neatly into the far side.

It was nearly 2-0 just minutes after. Ben Woodburn’s optimistic free kick proved too much for the gloves of Max Stryek who fumbled before recovering just inches from his goal line.

In the 33rd minute the Home side’s lead was deservedly doubled. Quick passages of play within the opposition box led to the trailing leg of Ben Williamson giving referee Gavin Duncan no option but to point to the spot.

Stepping up to the spot, Liam Boyce dispatched with ease sending Stryek the wrong way for his ninth goal of the season.

In the 64th minute it was game over as Alex Cochrane grabbed his first goal for the club. Reaching the touchline, Barry MacKay drilled across the face of goal leaving the Brighton loanee to tap into an empty net.

(Cochrane scoring the third goal)

It was a straight and narrow road for the Jam tarts from then on, seeing out the game for a comfortable victory.

Next up for the Jambos, it’s a second consecutive home tie as they play host to Motherwell next Saturday. Livingston return to Almondvale with a crucial home tie against 10th placed St Mirren.