Saturday, May 23, 2009
Player of the season
Reminder - please get your votes for Hearts player of the season to yorkhearts@yahoo.co.uk by the end of Monday. Note: this is votes for the 'real' Hearts' player of the season, not York Hearts'.
Celtic v Hearts Live in The White Horse
The last game of the season will be shown live in The White Horse on Sunday, kick off 1.00pm. As usual, everyone is welcome so get there early to secure the best seats. Hot food will be available at very reasonable prices from the resident chef for those who have to mix solids with liquids. Hope to see you there.
Fingers crossed the Ninja Gavstro behaves himself.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Happy Hearts go goal crazy
York Hearts ran riot as the curtain came down on the winter 2008 season at Huntington.
The Jambos pulled of the shock of the season, beating league champions FC United 6-1, before completing a glorious double-header with a 2-0 win over Acomb.
Few gave the maroons any hope in the first game, and they were under severe pressure in the opening stages, as United showed why they were top.
But the Hearts defence stood firm, and with eight minutes gone, Aitchison's ball over the top found Sam H, who placed the ball over the keeper.
Hearts had further chances on the break but United also pressed. At one stage, an equaliser looked inevitable, but remarkably it was Hearts who scored again. With just seconds remaining in the first half, Sam H again beat the keeper, and when his shot came back off the post Tom Glass netted the rebound.
In the second half, Hearts fought to protect their lead but when Ninja scored a stunning third five minutes after the break, the game was effectively over. The Jambos added three more, with United managing just a solitary consolation.
Hearts then had a half-hour break before taking to the field again for their final game of the season.
In a hard-fought game, Damo Stringer and Sam Outing got the goals that ensured Hearts ended the season with five wins from their final six games.
The latter game also saw Gav Aitchison join the York Hearts Centenary Club, notching up his 100th appearance for the side. He looked to have marked the occasion with a goal, but his left foot shot hit the side netting.
The men of the matches were Sam H (first game) and Tom/Jez (second game).
The Jambos pulled of the shock of the season, beating league champions FC United 6-1, before completing a glorious double-header with a 2-0 win over Acomb.
Few gave the maroons any hope in the first game, and they were under severe pressure in the opening stages, as United showed why they were top.
But the Hearts defence stood firm, and with eight minutes gone, Aitchison's ball over the top found Sam H, who placed the ball over the keeper.
Hearts had further chances on the break but United also pressed. At one stage, an equaliser looked inevitable, but remarkably it was Hearts who scored again. With just seconds remaining in the first half, Sam H again beat the keeper, and when his shot came back off the post Tom Glass netted the rebound.
In the second half, Hearts fought to protect their lead but when Ninja scored a stunning third five minutes after the break, the game was effectively over. The Jambos added three more, with United managing just a solitary consolation.
Hearts then had a half-hour break before taking to the field again for their final game of the season.
In a hard-fought game, Damo Stringer and Sam Outing got the goals that ensured Hearts ended the season with five wins from their final six games.
The latter game also saw Gav Aitchison join the York Hearts Centenary Club, notching up his 100th appearance for the side. He looked to have marked the occasion with a goal, but his left foot shot hit the side netting.
The men of the matches were Sam H (first game) and Tom/Jez (second game).
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Hearts stirring
York Hearts won again.
To read the first three words in that sentence was once improbable. To add the fourth would have seemed positively ludicrous.
But times they are a-changing down at Huntington. York Hearts' Tuesday night team, once a source only of frustration, appear to have turned a corner.
Tonight's win over Elegant Homes, courtesy of a fourth-minute penalty by Sam Outing, was the Jambos' third victory in succession. The past eight league games have brought just one defeat and the defence looks more resolute with every passing week. One can only wonder where Hearts might be if they had started the season as they are ending it, but if this form can continue into next term, the future could be maroon.
A swirling wind meant this game was far from pretty. The ball was battered this way and that with much vitriol and drive but little flair or accuracy. Outing and Aitchison again worked well together up front, posing a constant threat to Elegant's defence, if not their goal, while behind them, Turnbull and T'other Sam battled for everything. Calum, once again the lone defender, once again mopped up anything that came his way.
When it mattered, Outing was clinical. A swift Hearts attack saw him one-on-one with the keeper, who saved only by coming out of his box. He claimed momentum was to blame, and he was perhaps right, but it was a penalty nonetheless and - for the third week running - Sam scored from the spot.
Thereafter, the two sides huffed and puffed, creating little. Calum again took the Man of the Match accolade and, with it, the player of the year title. An Aberdonian scooping the York Hearts honours? These are strange days indeed.
To read the first three words in that sentence was once improbable. To add the fourth would have seemed positively ludicrous.
But times they are a-changing down at Huntington. York Hearts' Tuesday night team, once a source only of frustration, appear to have turned a corner.
Tonight's win over Elegant Homes, courtesy of a fourth-minute penalty by Sam Outing, was the Jambos' third victory in succession. The past eight league games have brought just one defeat and the defence looks more resolute with every passing week. One can only wonder where Hearts might be if they had started the season as they are ending it, but if this form can continue into next term, the future could be maroon.
A swirling wind meant this game was far from pretty. The ball was battered this way and that with much vitriol and drive but little flair or accuracy. Outing and Aitchison again worked well together up front, posing a constant threat to Elegant's defence, if not their goal, while behind them, Turnbull and T'other Sam battled for everything. Calum, once again the lone defender, once again mopped up anything that came his way.
When it mattered, Outing was clinical. A swift Hearts attack saw him one-on-one with the keeper, who saved only by coming out of his box. He claimed momentum was to blame, and he was perhaps right, but it was a penalty nonetheless and - for the third week running - Sam scored from the spot.
Thereafter, the two sides huffed and puffed, creating little. Calum again took the Man of the Match accolade and, with it, the player of the year title. An Aberdonian scooping the York Hearts honours? These are strange days indeed.
Derby day
The Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle will be shown live in the White Horse on Thursday. Kick-off is 7.45pm. The player-of-the-year presentations for York Hearts' 6-A-Side and 7-A-Side teams will also be made on the evening.
Dundee Utd tickets
Tickets have now been bought for everyone who requested one for Hearts v Dundee Utd on May 16. If you didn't order one and now want to go, contact Gav on 07791 626238. We're heading up by rail, leaving York on the 9.34am to Edinburgh.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Catanaccio 1-2 Caledonia
Football was invented for nights like this.
At a rain-soaked Huntington Arena, and playing in their unfamiliar third-kit of Scotland shirts, York Hearts FC tonight pulled off their greatest result in more than a year.
Few fancied the Jambos against promotion-chasing Italic. Even within the Hearts ranks, the mood was hopeful rather than expectant.
But Hearts prevailed, with a late penalty clinching the points for the Scots.
The conditions were wretched, but Hearts threw caution to the wind, starting with an audacious 1-2-2 formation.
It paid off.
The floodlights flickered, the ball skidded, the Italians bickered, and the rain lashed and lashed, but York Hearts fought like warriors and won the day.
Sam Outing got the goals. The first came after five minutes, a blistering toe-poke, vaguely reminscent of Dave Narey's against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup (above). It lacked Narey's height but had the pace, and flew past the wrong-footed Italian keeper.
Hearts smelt blood and went for the kill. Neil and Tom's pace repeatedly forced the Italians onto the backfoot, and Aitchison thrice had decent efforts go wide.
At the back, lone defender Calum defied his lowly stature and commanded the air. Damo was rarely even tested. Italy was stunned.
The continentals rallied after the break, and briefly showed their true class, equalising with a goal of true beauty. The Hearts midfield and defence were sliced open, and Domenico slotted home.
But this was Hearts' night. Back they came, and with just 90 seconds left they got their reward. An Italian defender strayed into the box while making a clearance and Sam stepped up to rifle home the spot-kick.
The Italians, true to stereotype, protested animatedly. The Jambos simply beamed.
York Hearts: Champions of the World.
Man of the match: Calum Beattie.
At a rain-soaked Huntington Arena, and playing in their unfamiliar third-kit of Scotland shirts, York Hearts FC tonight pulled off their greatest result in more than a year.
Few fancied the Jambos against promotion-chasing Italic. Even within the Hearts ranks, the mood was hopeful rather than expectant.
But Hearts prevailed, with a late penalty clinching the points for the Scots.
The conditions were wretched, but Hearts threw caution to the wind, starting with an audacious 1-2-2 formation.
It paid off.
The floodlights flickered, the ball skidded, the Italians bickered, and the rain lashed and lashed, but York Hearts fought like warriors and won the day.
Sam Outing got the goals. The first came after five minutes, a blistering toe-poke, vaguely reminscent of Dave Narey's against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup (above). It lacked Narey's height but had the pace, and flew past the wrong-footed Italian keeper.
Hearts smelt blood and went for the kill. Neil and Tom's pace repeatedly forced the Italians onto the backfoot, and Aitchison thrice had decent efforts go wide.
At the back, lone defender Calum defied his lowly stature and commanded the air. Damo was rarely even tested. Italy was stunned.
The continentals rallied after the break, and briefly showed their true class, equalising with a goal of true beauty. The Hearts midfield and defence were sliced open, and Domenico slotted home.
But this was Hearts' night. Back they came, and with just 90 seconds left they got their reward. An Italian defender strayed into the box while making a clearance and Sam stepped up to rifle home the spot-kick.
The Italians, true to stereotype, protested animatedly. The Jambos simply beamed.
York Hearts: Champions of the World.
Man of the match: Calum Beattie.
On the telly
Rangers v Hearts will be shown live in the White Horse on Sunday. Kick off is 3.30pm. All welcome. Except Rangers fans.
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