Foster double dispels gloom

RAY HEPBURN

25 Oct 1990

Hearts 3, Bologna 1

THE gloom that spread round the sparsely-filled Tynecastle terracings, with the news that top scorer John Robertson had failed a fitness test, took just seven minutes to disappear.

That was how long it took Robertson's replacement, Wayne Foster, to break down the Bologna defence and give the Edinburgh team the start they craved in this UEFA Cup second-round, first-leg tie.

By half-time that lead had been extended to three goals, but crucially the Italians pulled one back after a most bizarre decision by Spanish referee Jose Negreira.

Fourteen minutes into the second half Henry Smith was harshly punished for time-wasting as he waited to clear the ball from hand, and an indirect free kick 16 yards out from goal was awarded.

After a delay of some two minutes, and much jostling in front of Smith, including a caution for Dave McPherson, Massimo Bonino flicked the free kick into the path of Ejitio Notaristefano and he drove the ball through the wall and behind the keeper with the aid of a slight deflection.

Two minutes later the Italians were reduced to 10 men.

German striker Herbert Wass lunged late at McPherson and, as he had been cautioned in the first half after having tangled with Craig Levein, the referee had no option but to banish him from the game.

Foster's early strike came when he collected a free kick from Tosh McKinlay and played a neat one-two with Iain Ferguson.

His finish, a low left-foot drive from 14 yards, was clinical.

Hearts' second goal came after 25 minutes, when a cross from Colquhoun found Foster eight yards out and his downward, firm header sneaked in off the post.

The third arrived six minutes from the interval.

Eamonn Bannon fired in a cross from the left and Iain Ferguson's first header struck Cusin on the arm and flew up on to the crossbar.

The former Rangers striker was smartly back on his feet, however, to head the rebound past the flailing arms of the stranded keeper.

Then came that Bologna goal which will offer them some encouragement for the second leg in Italy in two weeks' time, although that in some part will be negated by the suspension of Wass.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, Kirkwood, McPherson, Colquhoun, Berry, Foster, I Ferguson, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Crabbe, D Ferguson, Mackay, Walker, Sandison.

BOLOGNA -- Cusin, Mariani, Villa, Di Gia, Iliev, Tricella, Verga, Bonini, Wass, Notaristefano, Lorenzo.

Substitutes -- Valeriani, Biondo, Negro, Traversa, Campione.

Referee -- J Negreira (Spain).

Taken from the Herald