Jonnyboy
17-10-2020, 05:49 PM
Like me and I suspect every Hibs fan that watched the game, I’m sure Jack Ross will be a disappointed manager tonight. Hibs could and should have scored around five goals, but poor finishing meant the away scoreline was blank. County might argue they had a couple of decent chances too, but I can only recall Rocky having to make one save of any note.
With most of his first team squad available again, Ross went with a 3-5-2 formation; McGinn and Hanlon either side of Porteous; Boyle, Gogic, Newell, Magennis and Stevenson in the midfield with Doidge and Nisbet up front.
It is no exaggeration to say Hibs could have had three goals in the opening twelve minutes or so. Firstly, Newell played Boyle in, but squirrel couldn’t sort his feet out and his effort was defected wide. Moments later, Magennis cut in from the left and sent a glorious right footed drive that looked destined for the top corner, but the ball struck the post and was cleared. Another stunning through ball from Newell had Boyle through one on one with the keeper but the Hibs man screwed his effort wide of the post. Next came a series of blocks by County defenders with Hanlon and Newell amongst those thwarted.
The County goal was leading a charmed life but to be fair to the hosts they weathered the storm and began to enjoy some possession of their own. Gardyne and the impressive Lakin saw efforts sail high over the bar whilst Gogic sent in a header that Doohan saved easily.
It was not until the game was approaching the break that Marciano was called into action when he saved a strongly hit shot from Lakin. For most of the game up until that point, Joe Newell had been fouled more than any other of the visitors and it was ironic that Joe was then booked for a foul no worse than many he had suffered.
Neither side made any changes for the second half starting and it was Hibs that tried to take the upper hand again but Nisbet and Doidge just couldn’t get a decent shot away or a header on target. County produced a couple of efforts, but both went harmlessly wide.
Just past the hour mark, Jack Ross replaced a tiring Kyle Magennis with Stevie Mallan and the newcomer almost had an instant impact on proceedings when he found Doidge inside the area, but the big striker failed to properly test Doohan. Another Mallan pass allowed Nisbet to get a shot away but uncharacteristically, the striker shot well wide of the target. Then, Paton headed wide as County began to impose their play a little more before a Mallan effort was pushed away and the inrushing Lewis Stevenson sent an effort over the bar. Next, Lewis picked out Nisbet with a fine pass but once again the striker failed to make anything of the opportunity.
With around ten minutes remaining, a long clearance following a County corner, saw former Hearts man Connor Randall badly misjudge the flight of the ball and as Boyle threatened to run free, Randall hauled him down. Referee Nick Walsh was quick to show a red card and rightly so as Boyle would have had a free run on goal. Interestingly, Walsh had been pretty quick with his cards and only he could explain why Ross Stewart was not booked for simulation in trying to win a penalty. That lack of a correct decision had more relevance later, after Stewart scythed Boyle down to earn a yellow that should in fact have meant a red.
Hibs were trying to pressure the home side and I am convinced we should have had a penalty when Nisbet was about to shoot but had his feet taken from him by Charles-Cook. It looked pretty clear to me but not to Nick Walsh.
Late attempts from Hanlon, Doidge and Boyle came to nothing and Hibs had to settle for a point when all three should have been in the bag. The only consolation for me was that Aberdeen also dropped two points and given that they are our closest rivals for third place, the damage was limited.
The players
Marciano – Rocky had little to do if truth be told and as I said earlier, I can recall only one save of any note.
McGinn – Paul had a fine game and proved that he’s a pretty decent footballer with a solid defensive display and a worthy contribution going forward too.
Porteous – Ryan was solid for the most part although a couple of scary passes increased my heart rate. Late in the game he was felled in an off the ball incident on the edge of their box, but Walsh missed it, unsurprisingly.
Hanlon – A rock, as usual, Paul also found time to venture forward, especially in the second half.
Boyle – Martin could have had a hat trick today but missing the target when through one on one not once but twice was pretty poor.
Gogic – Gave his usual energetic display and as is usually the case with him, stopped a number of attacking opposition moves in their tracks.
Newell – Joe was kicked upside down today but was on his feet often enough for me to earn my man of the match award. He was very creative, with several excellent passes as well as showing great stamina, and a willingness to put his foot in when required.
Magennis – Kyle started the game really well and was unlucky that his curling right foot effort had the goalie beaten but came back off the post.
Stevenson – Did his job very well, as usual and got forward when he could. One particular pass down the line to Kevin Nisbet was as good as any struck by our more creative players.
Doidge – Nothing really came off for the big man today and I get the feeling he needs a goal or two to get his mojo going again.
Nisbet – Nothing went right for Kevin today and as a result he turned in a below par performance. The good news is, he’ll be back at it again next week.
Mallan – I thought Stevie contributed well in his time on the park with two or three very telling passes that might have led to goals but for the recipients being under par today.
Gullan – Hammer only got about ten minutes all told so had little opportunity to really make a mark.
Jack Ross – Will, I expect, have mixed feelings as his team kept a clean sheet away from home but really should have been travelling back with three points.
Nick Walsh – A poor performance from a poor referee. Missed the Stewart simulation booking and the Nisbet penalty shout along with a whole host of other infringements.
With most of his first team squad available again, Ross went with a 3-5-2 formation; McGinn and Hanlon either side of Porteous; Boyle, Gogic, Newell, Magennis and Stevenson in the midfield with Doidge and Nisbet up front.
It is no exaggeration to say Hibs could have had three goals in the opening twelve minutes or so. Firstly, Newell played Boyle in, but squirrel couldn’t sort his feet out and his effort was defected wide. Moments later, Magennis cut in from the left and sent a glorious right footed drive that looked destined for the top corner, but the ball struck the post and was cleared. Another stunning through ball from Newell had Boyle through one on one with the keeper but the Hibs man screwed his effort wide of the post. Next came a series of blocks by County defenders with Hanlon and Newell amongst those thwarted.
The County goal was leading a charmed life but to be fair to the hosts they weathered the storm and began to enjoy some possession of their own. Gardyne and the impressive Lakin saw efforts sail high over the bar whilst Gogic sent in a header that Doohan saved easily.
It was not until the game was approaching the break that Marciano was called into action when he saved a strongly hit shot from Lakin. For most of the game up until that point, Joe Newell had been fouled more than any other of the visitors and it was ironic that Joe was then booked for a foul no worse than many he had suffered.
Neither side made any changes for the second half starting and it was Hibs that tried to take the upper hand again but Nisbet and Doidge just couldn’t get a decent shot away or a header on target. County produced a couple of efforts, but both went harmlessly wide.
Just past the hour mark, Jack Ross replaced a tiring Kyle Magennis with Stevie Mallan and the newcomer almost had an instant impact on proceedings when he found Doidge inside the area, but the big striker failed to properly test Doohan. Another Mallan pass allowed Nisbet to get a shot away but uncharacteristically, the striker shot well wide of the target. Then, Paton headed wide as County began to impose their play a little more before a Mallan effort was pushed away and the inrushing Lewis Stevenson sent an effort over the bar. Next, Lewis picked out Nisbet with a fine pass but once again the striker failed to make anything of the opportunity.
With around ten minutes remaining, a long clearance following a County corner, saw former Hearts man Connor Randall badly misjudge the flight of the ball and as Boyle threatened to run free, Randall hauled him down. Referee Nick Walsh was quick to show a red card and rightly so as Boyle would have had a free run on goal. Interestingly, Walsh had been pretty quick with his cards and only he could explain why Ross Stewart was not booked for simulation in trying to win a penalty. That lack of a correct decision had more relevance later, after Stewart scythed Boyle down to earn a yellow that should in fact have meant a red.
Hibs were trying to pressure the home side and I am convinced we should have had a penalty when Nisbet was about to shoot but had his feet taken from him by Charles-Cook. It looked pretty clear to me but not to Nick Walsh.
Late attempts from Hanlon, Doidge and Boyle came to nothing and Hibs had to settle for a point when all three should have been in the bag. The only consolation for me was that Aberdeen also dropped two points and given that they are our closest rivals for third place, the damage was limited.
The players
Marciano – Rocky had little to do if truth be told and as I said earlier, I can recall only one save of any note.
McGinn – Paul had a fine game and proved that he’s a pretty decent footballer with a solid defensive display and a worthy contribution going forward too.
Porteous – Ryan was solid for the most part although a couple of scary passes increased my heart rate. Late in the game he was felled in an off the ball incident on the edge of their box, but Walsh missed it, unsurprisingly.
Hanlon – A rock, as usual, Paul also found time to venture forward, especially in the second half.
Boyle – Martin could have had a hat trick today but missing the target when through one on one not once but twice was pretty poor.
Gogic – Gave his usual energetic display and as is usually the case with him, stopped a number of attacking opposition moves in their tracks.
Newell – Joe was kicked upside down today but was on his feet often enough for me to earn my man of the match award. He was very creative, with several excellent passes as well as showing great stamina, and a willingness to put his foot in when required.
Magennis – Kyle started the game really well and was unlucky that his curling right foot effort had the goalie beaten but came back off the post.
Stevenson – Did his job very well, as usual and got forward when he could. One particular pass down the line to Kevin Nisbet was as good as any struck by our more creative players.
Doidge – Nothing really came off for the big man today and I get the feeling he needs a goal or two to get his mojo going again.
Nisbet – Nothing went right for Kevin today and as a result he turned in a below par performance. The good news is, he’ll be back at it again next week.
Mallan – I thought Stevie contributed well in his time on the park with two or three very telling passes that might have led to goals but for the recipients being under par today.
Gullan – Hammer only got about ten minutes all told so had little opportunity to really make a mark.
Jack Ross – Will, I expect, have mixed feelings as his team kept a clean sheet away from home but really should have been travelling back with three points.
Nick Walsh – A poor performance from a poor referee. Missed the Stewart simulation booking and the Nisbet penalty shout along with a whole host of other infringements.