Hearts crash but Bannon is still a winner

BILL SUTHERLAND

27 Sep 1989

Hearts 2, Manchester United 4

EAMONN Bannon had a good night for his testimonial match at Tynecastle, with a crowd close to 10,000 for the visit of the star-studded United.

After the match he paid tribute to the good turn-out by Hearts fans on his behalf and added: "They have always been good to me." He is likely to have benefited by some £40,000 and perhaps it will be his bank manager who puts on his best suit the next time they meet.

Hearts could be pleased with their first-half performance and deservedly led 2-1 at the interval.

But after five substitutions early in the second half, they lost some of their rhythm.

The danger from United's costly strike force was demonstrated after five minutes when a cross by Russell Beardsmore found Mark Hughes, who sent in a shot which Henry Smith moved left to save at a post.

Bannon had the ball in the net, but well after the whistle had gone for a goal kick.

John Colquhoun was causing problems on the right, but on this occasion he had pushed the ball too far before crossing.

However, it was the visitors who struck first following a foul by Dave McPherson on Hughes after 16 minutes.

Danny Wallace, the £1.2m signing from Southampton, right-footed the free kick from 22 yards over a defensive wall and into the net to score his first goal for United.

Less than a minute later Hearts were level after a blunder by England internationalist Gary Pallister.

Britain's costliest defender, at £2.3m, failed to see Scott Crabbe behind him when he passed back to Leighton and the Hearts man coolly chipped the ball past the keeper.

Hearts were finding it profitable to run at the United defence, who were beginning to show how they managed to concede five goals to their City neighbours at the weekend.

Eight minutes from the interval the Edinburgh side took the lead.

Clayton Blackmore tripped John Robertson as he made a skilful run inside the box.

Only one man could possibly take the penalty, and, legitimately this time, Bannon scored on his testimonial night, right-footing the kick beyond the reach of the outstretched Leighton as the keeper dived to his right.

There was an outbreak of substitutions early in the second half.

Iain Ferguson, Jimmy Sandison, and Nicky Walker came on for Hearts in place of Colquhoun, Dave McCreery, and keeper Smith.

Later Robertson and Gary Mackay were to make way for George Wright and Husref Musemic.

Two minutes after the interval Leighton cleared upfield and as the Hearts defence raced forward in a feeble attempt at an offside trap, the unmarked Clayton Blackmore had an easy task in shooting past Walker.

The home side faded after that and began to be caught on the break.

With 19 minutes left Beardsmore released Lee Sharpe, who hurried his kick and blasted over from 15 yards.

Sharpe broke clear on the left three minutes later and, with the Hearts defence exposed, his cross allowed Blackmore to shoot between Walker's legs.

Six minutes from time came a replica, with Sharpe's cross netted this time by Brian McClair.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, McCreery, McPherson, Levein, Colquhoun, Mackay, Robertson, Crabbe, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Kirkwood, Musemic, Ferguson, Wright, Walker, Sandison.

MANCHESTER UNITED -- Leighton, Anderson, Donaghy, Duxbury, Phelan, Pallister, Beardsmore, Blackmore, McClair, Hughes, Wallace.

Substitutes -- Martin, Sharpe, Robbins, McGuiness.

Referee -- B R McGinlay (Balfron).