Heart of Midlothian 2 - 4 Aberdeen

CHAMPIONS! The prize which has been awaiting the Premier Reserve League side was finally earned by means of a 4-2 win over Hearts at Tynecastle last Wednesday week.
Throughout the season there had never seemed much doubt that Teddy Scott's team would finish ahead of Rangers and the rest but a couple of recent hiccups delayed the triumph. There was the defeat by St. Mirren and a 0-0 draw against Dundee United in the previous two fixtures and then a gap in the programme when Clydebank were away on tour over the Easter.
Paul Wright, whose goals early in the season put the Reserves on the right path, was the man who led the way in Edinburgh. After Hearts had rather worryingly taken an early lead Wright scored the equaliser before the break and then put Dons ahead in the second half.

"We had a bad start but once we had recovered we put on a really good performance," said the Reserve coach. Young midfielder Lee Gardner supplied the third goal and Billy Stark wrapped up the title with a fourth goal which put the game out of Hearts' reach. The successful team was: Beckett; McRobb, Harvie, Stark, Riddell, Greg Watson, Porteous, Gardner, Wright, Falconer, McLeod. Falconer once again played in the centre of the defence and was outstanding. Wright also gave a fine display.

The reserves were left with two remaining fixtures, against Clydebank at home and away and, at the time of writing a decision had not been made about when the Championship Trophy would be presented. Certainly the consistency of the second team throughout what has been a mixed but disappointing campaign for the seniors, gives the staff a lift and ensures that another trophy comes the club's way. There have been many positive aspects of the title run including the development of goalkeeper Steve Beckett and the consistency of defenders Robert McRobb, Gary Riddell and Ian Robertson. Brian Grant's change of role from midfield to striker early in the season fed him through to the first team while Falconer's switch of positions has also reflected the value of the second team competition. Also young players like Scott Harvie, Mark Emslie, Andy McLeod, Gardner and Greg Watson and others have made sound progress. One "A" team fixture not recorded on this page in earlier issues was the 3-2 victory over Falkirk at Pittodrie back in March. That particular 3-2 win was reported in the issued intended for the friendly game with Manchester United which was postponed at the last moment. Grant, McLeod and Emslie scored the goals and the match proved to be Tommy McQueen's farewell arriving as it did shortly before his move to West Ham.

Source: Match Programme, 2nd May 1987