Football
Hearts Crash Out Of Europa Conference League With Draw Against Moldovan Minnows
James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before ing Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.
Get to know James Chittick betterPublished20 Dec 2024
Watch Hearts Vs Petrocub highlights as the Jam Tarts crashed out of Europe thanks to their 2-2 draw in the Europa Conference League.
It’s been a disappointing season for Neil Critchley’s Heart of Midlothian. His side went 1-0 down after 20 minutes at Tynecastle to already-eliminated Petrocub.
Moldovan champions Petrocub scored through Sergiu Platica, with Hearts booed off as they left the field trailing at half-time.
The hosts made up for their woeful first-half performance with two goals after the break.
Turning the game completely on its head, 17-year-old James Wilson levelled in the 64th minute. Replacement Blair Spittal then put Hearts in front six minutes later.
They looked on course to earn a vital victory and qualify for the Conference League playoff round, but it wasn’t to be.
Petrocub were awarded a penalty after James Penrice handled the ball on his own line. Victor Mudrac then converted from the spot to level it once more, seven minutes from time.
A draw would have been enough for Hearts to scrape into the top 24, until Serbian club TSC had other ideas.
Three goals in seven minutes saw them come from behind to beat FC Noah 4-3, pushing Hearts out of the top 24 on goal difference.
Watch: Hearts Vs Petrocub Highlights
The exit from Europe adds further pressure onto Neil Critchely. Hearts have won just four from 14 games since he took over from Steven Naismith in October.
They have also dropped to bottom of the Scottish Premiership, and were booed off the field at full time on Thursday.
Despite recent results, Critchley defended his players’ efforts.
He said: “The attitude wasn’t a question tonight.
“The work ethic was there, our intensity and aggression to play the game was there. Since I’ve come in, the players have given their all. We competed well tonight – we just didn’t produce the quality.
“We have to go again in the league, keep trying to pick up points and, if we do, that will give me the time to make the changes I think are required.”