Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 9:30am

Pars tune up for new season by putting three past Jambos

PARS rounded off their pre-season preparations in fine style with goalscorers Joe Cardle and Nick Phinn breaking Hearts time and time again.

It was the Jambos' first outing this summer and they looked very rusty but that couldn't disguise a fine attacking display from Athletic in the second half.

Spain proved in the World Cup that football isn't all about big, physically imposing players and two midget gems stood out for Jim McIntyre's men.

Cardle is a real old fashioned winger, not one of your midfielders stuck out wide, and he ripped his marker to shreds and bagged two goals.

Phinn finally got on the scoresheet after missing some chances in Pars' friendly encounters and his willingness to get into the box and scoring positions makes him a real handful.

After leaking 13 goals in their first three pre-season matches, McIntyre's men also seem to have rediscovered the lock and key for the defence and they were solid here.

Hearts did make the early running though, with livewire David Templeton constantly - and Pars should have read this earlier - stepping inside onto his right foot for shots at goal.

David Obua had an effort deflected over the bar but Steven McDougall came closest, cleverly finding space in the box with a shimmy before forcing Jamie McDonald to push his shot round the post in nine minutes.

The striker also got the break of the ball after an enterprising Calum Woods run but, with Phinn yelling for a cut-back, he fired across goal and inches wide.

Neil McGregor reminded McIntyre he can defend too and the number of full-blooded tackles he made - saving a certain goal on at least two occasions - left a few Hearts players wincing and brought the fans to their feet.

The SPL side may still have been digesting their half-time tea when a slip allowed Phinn to burst into the box in 46 minutes and he thumped his shot under McDonald.

A poor clearance from Keddie then gave Kari Arkivuo a sight of goal but Chris Higgins stepped in to make a great block.

By this time, McIntyre had four centre backs on the pitch with Andy Dowie and Higgins in the full back positions and Keddie and McGregor in the middle.

It was certainly effective and Dowie denied Calum Elliot at the back post after Templeton evaded the offside trap.

Phinn was the architect of the second goal in 59 minutes, racing down the right wing and sending a low ball to the back post for Cardle to tap in.

Wee Joe helped himself to another in 69 minutes, McDougall carved out the chance by beating his man and when the winger got the ball, he cut inside and drilled a shot past the keeper.

Cardle had a couple of chances to seal his hat-trick, thumping a half volley past and trying to dink one over the keeper in the final seconds, but he'd already made his mark and on this form he's capable of winning vital league points for the team on his own.

Hearts did get one back, a brilliant Elliot header from Templeton's right wing cross with five minutes left, but it was Pars night.

Pars: Allison 7, Woods 5 (Dowie 46), McGregor 8, Higgins 6, McCann 5 (Keddie 46), Willis 6, Phinn 8 (White 72), Thomson 6, Cardle 9, Clarke 6 (Kirk 72), McDougall (Mason 72).

Sub not used - Smith.

Goals - Phinn (46), Cardle (59, 69).

Hearts: McDonald, Thomson (McGowan 46), Barr, Zaliukas, Jonsson, Arkivuo (Novikovas 59), Mrowiec (Black 46), Stevenson (Ismael 72), Obua (Santana 41), Templeton, Elliot.

Subs not used - Kello, Kucharski.

Goal - Elliot (85).

Referee John McKendrick

Attendance 2195