At last the first SPL game of the season had arrived! The sun broke out from behind the clouds just in time to beat down upon Tynecastle's main stand as Hearts got their 2010/2011 season under way.
The teams line shake hands prior to kick off
St Johnstone fans full of early season optimism made the short journey from Perth in large numbers and it was encouraging to see an SPL team bring such a healthy support. For the most part away supports at Tynecastle are poor with only the Old Firm, Hibs and Aberdeen having any sizeable following on the road.
St Johnstone's support packs two sections of the Roseburn Stand
The big talking point pre match was whether Hearts' recent signings and new strike pairing Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliott would be unleashed from kick off. It soon transpired that this wouldn't be the case. With both players perhaps still low on match fitness, both new strikers started the game from the bench. Indeed it was a player with a similar name but a more familiar face who was chosen to start up front and he grasped the opportunity with both hands by opening the scoring. Callum Elliot managed to get on the end of a Lee Wallace cross at the near post and expertly despatched a header into the net past Saint's keeper Peter Enckleman. Elliot, so often maligned by the Gorgie faithful, put in an incredibly hard working shift during his time on the pitch. In addition to getting the opening goal he performed a lot of strong support play and was integral to much of the Jambo's best efforts. That, in a nutshell, is what is so infuriating about Callum Elliot. He undoubtedly has talent and ability, however, consistency may be an attribute which he could be described as being in shorter supply of.
Hearts' lead last little over a minute, another debutant, Sam Parkin powered a header past Marian Kello after meeting Cleveland Taylor's cross with his head. It was disappointing from a maroon point of view. Hearts having finally made the break through simply switched off at the back and allowed St Johnstone to instantly undo all the good work that the Jambos had hitherto produced.
Despite the game being in the balance, Hearts were the better team throughout the match. St Johnstone's direct approach was effective but on most occasions did little to stretch the Hearts back four. Jefferies did eventually throw his new strike paring into the fray, but try as they might, they simply couldn't break down the dogged St Johnstone defence. The pair fought manfully to get a winning goal and Stephen Elliot nearly succeeded, only to be denied by Michael Duberry's headed clearance on the goal line. Both players were noticeably short on match fitness which was understandable given their recent injuries and resulting lack of pre season training.
Trialist Jonathan Toto watched from the Main Stand
There was little action of note in the second half. St Johnstone had Anderson sent off for a rash challenge from behind on Suso. After the game, a small group of St Johnstone fans on Russell Road sarcastically observed how quickly Suso appeared to recover from Anderson's 'leg breaking challenge' (...I remain unsure as to whom they were quoting). The last time I checked, red and yellow card were issues on the basis of conduct, intent and by the letter of the game's laws, rather than being based on how badly one injures an opponent. Still, as I commented to my Dad, football is all about opinions, it was just that theirs were nonsense.
The sun beats down upon the Tynecastle pitch
Hearts were to be slightly disappointed to share the points given their dominance. St Johnstone meanwhile continued their impressive record of not losing an opening day fixture since 2004.
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