Hearts edge Dundee United on penalties after six-goal Scottish FA Youth Cup thriller

Dundee United suffered a late Hearts comeback with the Jambos taking the tangerines in spot kicks with ten men in a dramatic Scottish FA Youth Cup encounter.

Both Owen Stirton and James Wilson scored a brace for their sides in clinical fashion along with scorers Joshua Radcliffe getting Hearts their first of the night and Dundee United man Finlay Simpson getting his in the opening minute of the fixture.

The 90 minutes weren’t enough to determine an outstanding winner, minutes before winger Taylor Hogarth was sent off bringing his side down to ten. Still, Hearts stayed level-headed and converted four of their penalties with Dundee United missing two ending the match 3-3 (4-3) on penalties.

The goals came thick and fast. In the first minute, there was an incredible piece of solo work by Dundee United striker Owen Stirton down the left-hand side of the Hearts penalty area as he floated a guided ball over the top of the Hearts defence finding Finlay Simpson who leapt and tapped home to make it 1-0 for his side.

Dundee United following their early advantage were holding a high line looking to pen, Hearts into their own half.

There then was a shout for offside as Hearts were caught by a ball over the top that found Stirton leaving him isolated with the Hearts goalkeeper Lewis Haldane who stopped the effort posed with his foot down to his bottom left panning it wide for a corner as protests began following the stoppage.  

After the first half of the half Hearts grew into the game as they probed for a response to the goal deficit. Captain Matthew Gilles was at the heart of this dictating his side’s play.

The Jambos started to threaten Euan Banks creating space and Promise was brought down at the edge of the box giving his side a free kick in a good area, that was struck into the wall and deflected for a corner.

As the game reached the 30-minute mark Dundee United pulled together a string of excellent quick passes breaking through Hearts lines. United’s Zeke Cameron cut back sending his man on his way and laying it off to winger Harry Welsh who drove his effort low into the keeper.

An impressive and great matchup between Hearts winger Gus Stevenson and Dundee United right-back Marcus Buchanan began as the winger was constantly causing problems showing good skills down the left but being kept at bay by the young fullback who suppressed his opponent’s danger well.

For Hearts, they were the more dominant in the second half of the first keeping possession very well and trying to break down a sturdy Dundee United defence.

A tremendous ball found Hearts winger Stevenson who cut in with a great first touch around the 18-yard line and slid a beautifully weighted pass to his colleague Taylor Hogarth, whose right-footed ping met the side netting, bringing the first half to a close.

Half-Time – Hearts 0-1 Dundee United

The second half started brightly for Dundee United. Similar to the first they scored a minute in with the assister for the first goal Stirton scoring a terrific header from a looped ball at the back post making it 2-0.

However, it didn’t take long for Hearts to respond to the two-goal deficit. Left-back Joshua Radcliffe in the 49th minute lasered his shot into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box sparking a bit of belief in his side. It was game on.

Since the two goals in the opening five minutes of the half, the match transpired into a competitive gritty affair with strong tackles and superb skill shown by both teams fighting to get into the next round.

Then it was James Wilson who equalised with a moment of individual magic for Hearts, as he pondered on the edge of the box looking for a gap to have a pop he took the ball on the turn at the edge of the box a reversed a shot of sheer quality as it soared into the top left corner.

The significant events didn’t stop there, a cutting-edge through ball down the right-hand side from Dundee United found Stirton who rounded the keeper giving himself a tight angle to finish in but he turned excellently with one touch and swerved his looping ball into the back of the net in the 63rd minute giving his side the lead again, and making it two goals and an assist for him in the game.

With 15 to play it was getting nervy for Hearts with their chances of progression slimming, Winger Stevenson for Hearts never stopped however his tough battle against right back Buchanan had another leg to face as the winger cuts in he is brought down by his man giving his side a penalty. Wilson looking calm and collected leathered his penalty into the top-right corner equalising for his side again.

The Tangerine’s keeper Lewis Haldane was called into action again as he aerobically saved Stevenson’s opportunity to secure a last-minute winner keeping his side in the game.

Tensions boiled over for Hearts winger Taylor Hogarth whose challenge to prevent a Dundee United attack on the break was deemed uncontrolled by Referee Jack Leslie leaving the Jambos with ten men and two minutes to play.

Full-Time – Hearts 3-3 Dundee United

Penalties it was to conclude an incredible matchup for these two quality sides.

In a nervy penalty shootout to progress into the next round, Wilson, Radcliffe, Callen Robb, and Gregor Burn made no mistake in slotting theirs home as well as Dundee United’s Zeke Cameron Stirton and Calvin Beattie. It was unfortunate for the two United men who missed theirs granting Hearts the chance to play in the Fourth Round winning 4-3 in the shootout.

Heart of Midlothian Player of the Match: Matthew Gilles

The captain made a great account of himself as a leader motivating his side to come back and also leading by example by constantly trying to make things happen and keep his teammates mentality solid throughout.

Dundee United Player of the Match: Marcus Buchanan

Buchanan stepped up very well for a player born in 2009. He had a terrific performance for his side keeping a tough winger to play against at bay and showing a mature and experienced approach.

Heart of Midlothian Magic Moment: James Wilson’s equaliser to give his side their second was of sheer brilliance showing great skill and technique to spark belief back into his side.

Dundee United Magic Moment: Owen Stirton’s goal to give his team a 2-3 lead was unbelievable being so close to the touchline to squeeze a looped ball into the back of the net from range getting enough height and curl to bend it in was an admirable goal.