Source: FOOTYMAD
Hearts gutted - 24h on
There's nothing better for building a team's confidence than a decent unbeaten run. The terrific second half recovery at Tynecastle completes a six game stretch and we should be proud of the efforts of the whole team. That they were able to maintain a positive attitude after what could have been a fatal third goal speaks volumes for the attitude that Stuart McCall has fostered in the dressing room. No wonder he was able to talk about their “terrific spirit, determination, will-to-win and pride in the jersey” in his email to the fans on Saturday evening. Sutton's equaliser celebration That’s not to absolve them for going three down in the first place! The referee was entitled to penalise Saunders for his manhandling of Stevenson as the players jostled for position ahead of a corner. The defence was static as Skacel and Elliott played a one-two on the eighteen yard line and Craigan was skinned before Stevenson had the chance to hit both posts early in the second half. But despite the loss of three goals they clawed their way back into the game. Jim Jeffries’ admission that he was “gutted” at the result and that it felt like a loss only confirms the scale of the reverse that the home team suffered. It is also worth noting that the result was achieved without three of our usual staring line up. For a Motherwell eleven to take the field without Hammell, Humphrey and Jennings would normally suggest a weakened side but we are now in the happy position of having proper cover for most of the positions on the pitch. Hateley's free kick from the left finds the net Any reflection on the game would be incomplete without a mention of the unjustified booking that referee Collum handed to Murphy. While attempting to clear a ball that dropped from the rainy sky he failed to make a clean contact. The ball sliced off his right boot and struck his arm. It was impossible for him to avoid the contact and, while the award of a foul for handball could be understood, the idea that it was deliberate defies understanding. Jamie received his first yellow card of the season and we can only hope that the official feels embarrassed when he views the replay. That’s the first of our five game preparation for the Cup final gone and we’ve secure a point from the top six run in. So far, so good.
