Jonnyboy
07-04-2018, 09:53 PM
Setting off bright and early we arrived in Dingwall in good time and it was encouraging to see evidence of a large Hibs support around the town and on the road down to the stadium. I suspect that, like me, most were pondering what change would be made to accommodate the return of John McGinn from suspension and whether Rocky would keep his starting place after the unfortunate error made in the previous game against Hamilton. County don’t produce an official match programme but do make available official team sheets and study of one such sheet confirmed that the player making way for SJM was Steven Whittaker. It also confirmed that Rocky would be in goals and in my opinion, that should never really have been in question.
Taking our seats behind the goals we anticipated a difficult game but probably one that we should win. The game was indeed difficult but the win eluded us and I feel there were a number of contributing factors in the fact we could only manage a draw. Firstly, the pitch was horrendous and any thoughts of slick passing football and surging runs down the flanks were soon dispelled as players from both sides struggled to adapt to the rutted and very dry surface. Secondly, a few of our normally dependable players had what can best be described as an off day and lastly the hosts fought tooth and nail for every ball, desperate as they are to avoid the drop.
In the early stages of the game Hibs took control and set about attacking the County defence with marvellous cross field passes by both Hanlon and McGinn reaching their targets out wide. Unfortunately, Boyler couldn’t take the ball in and lost possession, something he would be guilty of for almost the entire 90 minutes. On the other flank, both Maclaren and Kamberi suffered similar fates to Boyle in trying to gather in and hold possession of the diagonal passes. Despite all of this, Hibs managed to create a few early chances with Kamberi’s header deflected wide; Maclaren making a great run, picked out by a sublime pass from Scott Allan, only to get the ball stuck between his feet before he could get a shot away and a strange looking Ambrose drive that went straight in the arms of Scott Fox in the County goal.
The hosts had barely featured in an attacking sense but as the half hour approached they created their first chance of the game and took it. A long cross from the County right sailed over everyone’s heads but was kept in play out wide by the busy Alex Schalk. For some bizarre reason, Ambrose in close attendance allowed the County man to turn and fire a low ball into the front post where Paul Hanlon and Billy McKay contested possession. As a result of that coming together the ball fell loose around three yards out and before Rocky or McGregor could react, McKay poked the ball home. This brought back some unwelcome memories of the ‘one shot at goal and it went in’ variety. It was shoddy to say the least.
Stirred into action, Hibs moved downfield and before the break, Paul Hanlon should probably have done better when he dived to head a cross ball but directed it into the ground and over the bar. Down a goal at half time we hoped Neil could galvanise his troops during the interval and sure enough Hibs dominated huge parts of the second period. Early on, a McGregor header looked net bound but hit a Hibs man before sliding behind for a goal kick before a cross from the left by Stevenson saw Maclaren get in front of his marker but the header flew wide. Next, Whittaker who’d come on for Maclaren went all Cristiano Ronaldo and attempted to score via an overhead kick but sadly the similarities ended there. Neil Lennon then made a double change bringing on Swanson and Shaw to replace Ambrose and Allan, hoping I’m sure to create chances from which goals would arrive. The two were barely on the park when a rare County attack saw Schalk flash a shot across Rocky but behind for a goal kick.
As the minutes ticked down the huge Hibs support roared the players on and finally, in the last minute of normal time, their encouragement was rewarded when Swanson found Boyle just inside the box and the Hibs wing man touched the ball to Oli Shaw who calmly stroked the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Fox’s net. It was such a simply constructed goal but required a cool finish and Oli is to be commended for doing just that. When play restarted the fourth official held up the board to announce five minutes of additional time and this was the signal for Hibs to camp inside the County half. A few near things came to nothing but with the very last action of the game, McGregor rose majestically to power a header at goal but the ball sailed agonisingly wide with Fox rooted to the spot.
Only a point then when three was obviously what we set out to win and although I felt disappointed and frustrated as I left the ground I reflected on the fact that this team just does not allow itself to lose. In the not so distant past we’d have lost that game but ten out of ten to the lads for playing on to the bitter end and getting a just reward. In the car after the game I listened to Neil’s interview and he pretty much called it as I saw it, ending his interview by stating that we are only three points behind Aberdeen and the Rangers with five games to play. Those five games, said Neil are all cup finals as far as we’re concerned. I’m looking forward to those five cup finals but ahead of that I’m going to a very different cup final as I set off with a pal tomorrow to fly down to London to watch Shrewsbury Town play Lincoln City in the final of the CheckaTrade Cup at Wembley!
The players
Rocky – no chance with the goal and had very little to do throughout the ninety minutes.
Efe – for me the goal conceded was down to poor play by Efe who had ample opportunity to stop Schalk from crossing the ball into the box.
Daz – commanding throughout and was barely troubled by the County forwards.
Paul – possibly should have done better with the diving header but he drove us forward at every opportunity and earns my man of the match award.
Boyler – by far his poorest ninety minutes since joining the club he was strangely static at times and seemed unable to control the ball or beat a man. One important contribution was his assist for the goal.
Dylan – had a decent first half but kinda disappeared for long periods in the second.
Scotty – flitted in and out of the game with the pitch playing havoc with his clever pass attempts.
SJM - always willing to receive the ball and run he was once again the target of an opposition hatchet man, scythed down in full flight by Draper.
Lewis – solid and dependable, as ever. Had a wee stint in central midfield as Neil shuffled the pack and looked at home there.
Jamie – made and makes loads of good runs but is seldom picked out by his team mates.
Flo – not his best day in green and white and I largely put that down to the marking job of Scottish Cup legend Liam Fontaine.
Whitty – did well when he came on and joined the attack at every opportunity.
Danny – buzzed about well and played a crucial part in the Hibs goal which he celebrated exactly like every other Hibs support in the ground.
Oli – doesn’t get a huge amount of game time but knows where the goals are with today’s crucial strike showing he has a cool head when required.
Neil – must be helluva frustrated watching his men dominate but not win. Don’t know why the ref felt the need to speak to him but my heart was in my mouth when I thought he might be sent off.
The fans – travelled in great numbers and stayed behind the team until the bitter end.
Bobby Madden – I had a lively debate with my fellow travellers as they were mightily frustrated by the amount of County challenges that went unpunished. My argument was that County fans could easily offer the same argument about some Hibs challenges. The man lets the game flow and sometimes it works for you and sometimes against. My bottom line here is I’d rather have Madden than the likes of the prima donna that is Kevin Clancy, the incompetent that is Andrew Dallas or the increasingly annoying Steven McLean who is whistle happy and far too pernickety.
Taking our seats behind the goals we anticipated a difficult game but probably one that we should win. The game was indeed difficult but the win eluded us and I feel there were a number of contributing factors in the fact we could only manage a draw. Firstly, the pitch was horrendous and any thoughts of slick passing football and surging runs down the flanks were soon dispelled as players from both sides struggled to adapt to the rutted and very dry surface. Secondly, a few of our normally dependable players had what can best be described as an off day and lastly the hosts fought tooth and nail for every ball, desperate as they are to avoid the drop.
In the early stages of the game Hibs took control and set about attacking the County defence with marvellous cross field passes by both Hanlon and McGinn reaching their targets out wide. Unfortunately, Boyler couldn’t take the ball in and lost possession, something he would be guilty of for almost the entire 90 minutes. On the other flank, both Maclaren and Kamberi suffered similar fates to Boyle in trying to gather in and hold possession of the diagonal passes. Despite all of this, Hibs managed to create a few early chances with Kamberi’s header deflected wide; Maclaren making a great run, picked out by a sublime pass from Scott Allan, only to get the ball stuck between his feet before he could get a shot away and a strange looking Ambrose drive that went straight in the arms of Scott Fox in the County goal.
The hosts had barely featured in an attacking sense but as the half hour approached they created their first chance of the game and took it. A long cross from the County right sailed over everyone’s heads but was kept in play out wide by the busy Alex Schalk. For some bizarre reason, Ambrose in close attendance allowed the County man to turn and fire a low ball into the front post where Paul Hanlon and Billy McKay contested possession. As a result of that coming together the ball fell loose around three yards out and before Rocky or McGregor could react, McKay poked the ball home. This brought back some unwelcome memories of the ‘one shot at goal and it went in’ variety. It was shoddy to say the least.
Stirred into action, Hibs moved downfield and before the break, Paul Hanlon should probably have done better when he dived to head a cross ball but directed it into the ground and over the bar. Down a goal at half time we hoped Neil could galvanise his troops during the interval and sure enough Hibs dominated huge parts of the second period. Early on, a McGregor header looked net bound but hit a Hibs man before sliding behind for a goal kick before a cross from the left by Stevenson saw Maclaren get in front of his marker but the header flew wide. Next, Whittaker who’d come on for Maclaren went all Cristiano Ronaldo and attempted to score via an overhead kick but sadly the similarities ended there. Neil Lennon then made a double change bringing on Swanson and Shaw to replace Ambrose and Allan, hoping I’m sure to create chances from which goals would arrive. The two were barely on the park when a rare County attack saw Schalk flash a shot across Rocky but behind for a goal kick.
As the minutes ticked down the huge Hibs support roared the players on and finally, in the last minute of normal time, their encouragement was rewarded when Swanson found Boyle just inside the box and the Hibs wing man touched the ball to Oli Shaw who calmly stroked the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Fox’s net. It was such a simply constructed goal but required a cool finish and Oli is to be commended for doing just that. When play restarted the fourth official held up the board to announce five minutes of additional time and this was the signal for Hibs to camp inside the County half. A few near things came to nothing but with the very last action of the game, McGregor rose majestically to power a header at goal but the ball sailed agonisingly wide with Fox rooted to the spot.
Only a point then when three was obviously what we set out to win and although I felt disappointed and frustrated as I left the ground I reflected on the fact that this team just does not allow itself to lose. In the not so distant past we’d have lost that game but ten out of ten to the lads for playing on to the bitter end and getting a just reward. In the car after the game I listened to Neil’s interview and he pretty much called it as I saw it, ending his interview by stating that we are only three points behind Aberdeen and the Rangers with five games to play. Those five games, said Neil are all cup finals as far as we’re concerned. I’m looking forward to those five cup finals but ahead of that I’m going to a very different cup final as I set off with a pal tomorrow to fly down to London to watch Shrewsbury Town play Lincoln City in the final of the CheckaTrade Cup at Wembley!
The players
Rocky – no chance with the goal and had very little to do throughout the ninety minutes.
Efe – for me the goal conceded was down to poor play by Efe who had ample opportunity to stop Schalk from crossing the ball into the box.
Daz – commanding throughout and was barely troubled by the County forwards.
Paul – possibly should have done better with the diving header but he drove us forward at every opportunity and earns my man of the match award.
Boyler – by far his poorest ninety minutes since joining the club he was strangely static at times and seemed unable to control the ball or beat a man. One important contribution was his assist for the goal.
Dylan – had a decent first half but kinda disappeared for long periods in the second.
Scotty – flitted in and out of the game with the pitch playing havoc with his clever pass attempts.
SJM - always willing to receive the ball and run he was once again the target of an opposition hatchet man, scythed down in full flight by Draper.
Lewis – solid and dependable, as ever. Had a wee stint in central midfield as Neil shuffled the pack and looked at home there.
Jamie – made and makes loads of good runs but is seldom picked out by his team mates.
Flo – not his best day in green and white and I largely put that down to the marking job of Scottish Cup legend Liam Fontaine.
Whitty – did well when he came on and joined the attack at every opportunity.
Danny – buzzed about well and played a crucial part in the Hibs goal which he celebrated exactly like every other Hibs support in the ground.
Oli – doesn’t get a huge amount of game time but knows where the goals are with today’s crucial strike showing he has a cool head when required.
Neil – must be helluva frustrated watching his men dominate but not win. Don’t know why the ref felt the need to speak to him but my heart was in my mouth when I thought he might be sent off.
The fans – travelled in great numbers and stayed behind the team until the bitter end.
Bobby Madden – I had a lively debate with my fellow travellers as they were mightily frustrated by the amount of County challenges that went unpunished. My argument was that County fans could easily offer the same argument about some Hibs challenges. The man lets the game flow and sometimes it works for you and sometimes against. My bottom line here is I’d rather have Madden than the likes of the prima donna that is Kevin Clancy, the incompetent that is Andrew Dallas or the increasingly annoying Steven McLean who is whistle happy and far too pernickety.