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Hearts Women survive early scare in history-making European qualifier as Champions League dream stays alive Hearts Women came from behind to beat FC Gintra in their opening Champions League qualifier Hearts Women edged a step closer to their Champions League dream on their European debut with victory over Lithuanian side FC Gintra. The historic Jambos encounter also marked a winning start for new boss Andy Thomson - who has the challenging task of following Eva Olid’s heroics, after she guided the Gorgie Girls to their first SWPL 1 title last season. The gritty 2-1 win - which took place at Danish side HB Koge’s Stadium - means Hearts now progress to the final of the second stage Champions Path mini-tournament. Forwards Ellen Dolan and Kayla Jardine were on target for the Jambos in the second half after Gintra’s Mikhaela Yancey gave them an early scare before the break. Hearts will now face Koge or Riga of Latvia on Saturday for a place in the third qualification stage. Tale of the tape As well as in the dugout, there were also a few fresh faces on the pitch for Hearts, including Venezuelan forward Mariana Speckmaier and midfielder Erin Rennie - who returned from Partick Thistle last month. In the early knockings, the Jambos struggled to get their attackers involved in the game against a side who are no strangers to the European stage, having been crowned Lithuanian champions 21 years in a row. Their experience showed, as they took the lead through American defender Yancey, who nodded in from a corner in the 43rd minute. Hearts responded at a crucial time just after the break from a corner routine of their own as Dolan struck from close range after a Speckmaier flick-on. 10 minutes later, the Jambos then took the lead through Jardine as she got on the end of a well-weighted delivery from Jess Husband at the front post.