Match report Versus Glasgow Rangers on November 28 1999 at Barn Elms

Hibernian Team:

John Leslie (9.5)

James Allen (9) Jim McPherson (9) Mark Grice (9) Leon Ashford (9)

Aidan McGettigan (9) Adam Pomoro (9) Jason Steer (9) Russell Stinson (9.75)

Gerry Vavasour (9) Lee Steer (9)


Substitutes:
Paul Goodlad (Lee Steer) (9)


Manager: Kevin Robertson
Assistant Manager: Dave Lawlor


Scoreline 3-0

This was a fantastic performance, playing against the elements, the referee and the linesman. London Hibs overcame them all. Dave Scot and I watched a cracker of a game. The debut boys played exceptionally well (see below)

We sensibly kicked off with wind advantage; very soon we were launching attack after attack in their box. The tactics we've come to expect in such an encounter were all too obvious. Yet we kept sensible and played beautiful football. The first scoring opportunity came when a revitalised Adam Pomoro burst into the box, holding off three of their larger defenders and stabbing to the right of their in-form keeper, who saved them. Next a beautiful ball to the Gallus Glaswegian at the front (as opposed to the Gallus one at the back), he is then scythed down. The ball is then swept round their advancing keeper and stroked home by an inspirational Lee Steer. Only for it to be disallowed for offside against Gerry. BOLLOCKS it was.

We continued to pour forward, with Aidan making a great run down the right flank, getting a corner, the cross was good, the header text book, by none other than Russell Stinson. 1-0 to the Hibee boys. Fortunately we had a couple of gears left as half time saved them from a further pummelling.

Second-half against the wind and the referee a bit less blinkered than previously. They must have had high hope, but we raised our game. Aidan had one of the best games in a long time, carving up their left flank, ably supported by debut boy James Allen, whose tireless running closed them in attack and gave us options going forward. The defence were again immense, with Jim Gricey and Leon all clearing the high swirling balls coming to the area. The midfield won more possession this week than last. Adam Pomoro was superb, this showed as we moved forward, options to the left and right, with Adam making the keeper save yet again. Gerry and Lee were running of each other and acting as our first line of defence, catching their sleeping defence on numerous occasions. The keeper fluffed one of his kicks and Gerry lobbed from 25 yards going close.
The odd occasion the did actually put together an attack it was thwarted by the defence and by the superb defending and kicking of John in goals. The point blank save was the save of the season, so far.

Back to the game, the ball was carried down the right and knocked out for a corner; the ball was swung in, who should be there, but Russell with the header 2-0 to the Hibee boys.

Lee defending outside their box, took a powerful ball to the temple ear area and was sidelined for the rest of the match, fortunately Nurse and mascot Happy Abbey gave him a good medical seeing too. Paul Goodlad, who is a Good Lad, then took Lee's place. Despite the poor player evaluation from close friend and colleague Scot "the panther" Drummond, Paul played extremely well.

He played off Gerry muscling into their by now despairing and tiring centre backs, their keeper came out to mis-kick a ball and fell badly on his ankle,
while Paul rounded their defender, clearly being fouled in the box, making it even cleared with a "Craig Lugannis triple salco with forward roll. It's a penalty!
Who to take it, no problem "Russell I have scored my last 25 penalties" Stinson, so up he steps and hits the bloody bar. Still 2-0. Their keeper is off according to Happy Abbey with a broken ankle. So the chap with the dislocated shoulder from last week is the new keeper and Russell still missed.

We continued to push forward with Adam Pomoro getting karate chopped by their very own buster blood vessel. Paul and Gerry along with Adam, then conspired in the box, their defence was everywhere and nowhere baby, the ball breaks and Captain Pomoro stokes in a third 3-0 to the London Hibs.

Fan-bloody-tastic!

Match View:

This victory effectively neutralises the defeat at the beginning of the season in the most emphatic fashion. Anyone that thinks they are going to win this league or cup is in for a rude awakening.
The defence was superb, the midfield immense and the centre forwards tireless, the debut boys were excellent and add to overall squad strength in a frightening way.
Dave and me are very happy men. Our fans are beautiful (Abbey and Simone) and loud me Dave and Scot.

Well done everyone.

Man of the Match, despite missing a penalty, well played Russell. Primes Inter Pares mate.

Kevin
(Manager London Hibs)