A Robbie Mahon brace put Edinburgh City into a 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. They doubled their lead before half-time through an Innes Lawson strike and James Stokes header.

Bobby McLuckie got one back just before half-time, taking the ball past Mark Weir in the City goal and calmly passing it into the empty net.

Callen Robb got another back in second-half stoppage time when he converted a penalty that he won for the Wee Jambos.

Early chances, but a goal behind

It has become the norm in recent weeks for the Wee Jambos to start fast and have a few early chances. Saturday at Meadowbank was no different.

McLuckie caused early problems down the left wing. He had a great run into the box before playing in Taylor Hogarth, whose shot was saved well by Weir in the City goal.

The left winger was involved again a minute later when he played a ball to Tommy North, but his shot was a comfortable save for Weir.

For all the encouraging play from the Wee Jambos, it was the home side that took the lead in the 12th minute. Robbie Mahon, the SPFL’s top scorer, drove into the box and calmly slotted his shot past Lyndon Tas in the Hearts B goal.

A disappointed Angus Beith told Hearts Standard, “I felt like we actually started the game pretty well.” Beith said.

“We had two good chances at the start of the game and again, which has kind of been the story of our season so far, we don’t take them.”

A first half to forget

Despite a promising start and McLuckie’s goal, it was one-way traffic with Edinburgh City dominating. It saw the home side rush into a four-goal lead all within the space of 25 first-half minutes.

The Wee Jambos struggled to find a rhythm and were unable to get any good passages of play going. Edinburgh City had 57 per cent of the ball in the first half and had 12 shots, compared to the visitors’ four.

Angus Beith made one change at half-time in the right-wing position. Mackenzie Ross came off for Dom Plank, which had a positive impact on the match.

“There was a 25-minute period where we made really poor decisions,” Beith said.

“We kept passing the ball in the middle of the pitchand they nicked it off us and stopped winning first and second balls. That really, really hurt us and cost us.

“The decision making and not competing enough and not being compact and just seeing out that period, which led to obviously the four goals and an uphill climb for us.”

An improved second half

Hearts B came out at the start of the second half strong, McLuckie had an effort hit the post just after the interval. Aiden Haddow also had an effort saved by Weir.

Ten minutes later, North was found free in the box, but his right-footed effort went wide of the target.

Not only did Hearts B look more of a threat going forward, but they had also tightened up defensively, limiting the number of good chances for Edinburgh City. This was something that they were unable to do in the first half.

While Hearts were much improved, it was clear that Edinburgh City had understandably taken their foot off the gas with their three-goal lead.

Hearts continued to pose a threat going forward throughout the second half, with McLuckie, North and Henry James all having efforts go close.

Right at the end of the match, Hearts were rewarded for their second-half efforts when Callen Robb won a penalty after a great run into the box. He then stepped up to convert the penalty, putting the ball into the bottom right corner, sending Weir the wrong way in the process.

By then, 15-year-old Boyd Fraser had been brought on to make his debut.

While Beith said it was a much better second-half performance, he admitted that City dropped their levels.

He said: “I would suggest that they probably dropped their levels a little bit. We had subs that impacted the game well, so it’s pleasing that they came on.

“Boyd Fraser’s 15, obviously, he’s a real positive for us. I thought he came on and showed real good composure. And Callen Robb as well, I thought, was decent off the bench.”

Bobby McLuckie

McLuckie was a surprise name in the starting lineup on Saturday, because he joined Hamilton Academical on loan last weekend.

The left winger was able to play for the B team because he is cup-tied after playing 45 minutes away at Dumbarton last time out in the cup.

Despite the Wee Jambos’ poor first half, McLuckie showed exactly why he earned his loan move to Accies. He held the width well and showed good pace throughout the match to get forward. He eventually got his reward when he took his goal very well.

He was composed enough for when City stopper Weir came charging out, that he was able to take it around the goalkeeper and pass it into an empty net.

After getting the goal at the end of the first half, he started the second half by hitting the post from a tight angle.

He forced a great stop from Weir towards the end of the match after a great run into the Edinburgh City box.

“I think John Rankin has worked with him before and he knows what he can how to get the best out of Bobby,” Beith said.

“It’s a brilliant move for Bobby as well, it’s a full-time environment for him to go and work in under a really good coach and a good league, a league as well that they’re trying to win.

“So, there’s a little bit of pressure there with all the players that are at Hamilton and then Bobby will reap the rewards of that experience, I’m sure.”