Jonnyboy
12-12-2020, 05:12 PM
Let me start by saying that’s the best 90 minute display I’ve seen from Hibs for a while and the best ever 90 minute display on an artificial surface. Apart from a brief spell around the half hour mark and another at the start of the second half, Hibs were dominant and never looked anything but comfortable.
With Jamie Murphy out through injury, Christian Doidge was restored to a starting position as Hibs lined up with a 4-4-2 formation. For their part, Hamilton had two ex Hibs players in their line up in the shape of Ben Stirling and Scott Martin.
In a fast start to proceedings, Hibs should have been a goal up inside the first five minutes when a tremendous through ball from Hanlon allowed Hallberg to control with his chest before striking a left footed effort over the bar with only the keeper to beat. On the plus side it was encouraging to see Hallberg make that kind of run in behind the defenders.
Another super through ball from Hanlon set Doidge up in a one on one with Fulton but rather than take the shot early, Christian decided to try and go round the keeper allowing Fulton to steal the ball off his toes.
Around five minutes later, a delivery into the Hamilton box from the right hand side saw Charlie Trafford clearly manhandle Porteous to the ground. Luckily, Kevin Clancy spotted the offence and awarded Hibs a penalty. I was slightly surprised when Martin Boyle stepped forward, but his finish was perfect, sending Ryan Fulton the wrong way.
With Newell prompting from midfield, Hibs were creating real problems for the hosts who just couldn’t keep possession of the ball. Joe wasn’t just creating though, as he lost possession in midfield and raced back to tackle Smith and remove any danger to the Hibs goal. It was a good example of him having that determination to go and atone for his initial error.
Little was being seen of the hosts as a forward threat and as a result, Rocky was pleasantly underemployed. Domination of possession afforded Hibs a few half chances but when they did get a shot on target, Ryan Fulton was equal to the task. A couple of corners saw first Doidge and then Hanlon steer headers over the bar before Hibs struck a second goal around the forty minute mark. Wright took possession on the Hibs left and flighted a right footed cross into the box which Doidge met from around six yards out and headed past the stranded Fulton.
Hibs were cruising but almost paid the penalty when sloppy play involving Porteous and Marciano allowed Moya to lift the ball towards an empty net, but the effort was weak allowing Stevenson to clear.
Into the second half and there was an early scare when a woefully short pass by Wright to Stevenson left the full back stranded and allowed Owolabi the chance of a strike at goal, but the effort was poor and easily gathered in by Marciano. Minutes later, a free kick from about twenty yards out made me wish Stevie Mallan was on the pitch. In his absence, Nisbet took on the task but hit his effort over the bar. Next, Stevenson set up Newell, but Joe’s effort drifted wide of the post.
In an attempt to rescue something from the game, Brian Rice made a slew of substitutions but in truth the flow of play never altered with Hibs in command. On the hour mark a fine cutback reached Drey Wright some twelve yards out but the former St. Johnstone man fired wildly over the bar with the whole goal to aim at. Thankfully, just a few minutes later, Hibs killed off the game with a third goal when Paul McGinn raced on to a loose ball in the area and fairly smashed his effort high into the top corner. Any striker in the world would have been proud of that finish.
Hibs were rampant now and Nisbet set Boyle free on the right. Boyler’s low cross could only be parried by Fulton and Kevin Nisbet was quickest to react by prodding the ball into the net from close range.
Hamilton were well beaten now, and Hibs could have added to their goal tally, but Ryan Fulton had a string of fine saves to deny them, the one handed stop from substitute Steven Bradley being the pick of the bunch. Moments later, Bradley went on a mazy run and hit an effort with his left foot that Fulton managed to gather in.
Having been forced, by the technical difficulties dogging the Hibs TV coverage again, to listen to the home commentary, I decided with about five minutes left to see if Hibs TV were back in business and they were. I learned at the end that Cliff was not in his usual spot due to the recent passing of his Mum and I’d just like to take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to Cliff and his family.
The players
Marciano – Were Efe still at ER, Rocky could have borrowed one of his cigars to give him something to do. I doubt Ofir will have an easier ninety minutes any time soon.
McGinn (P) – Another solid display from Paul who defends well and gets down the right in an attacking sense whenever the chance arises. His goal was a stunner of a strike and kinda helps illustrate my take on his willingness to get forward.
Porteous – Ryan had a good game and was totally dominant in the air whilst breaking out from the back on occasion and showing us all that he has a decent turn of pace.
Hanlon – For the second game in a row my man of the match goes to Paul. Those stunning first half passes and ninety minutes of top defending without seeming to break sweat made it an easy choice for me, despite the fact that several other players were in the hunt.
Stevenson – Lewis defended well and took every opportunity he could to get forward in support of our attacking play.
Boyle – For once, Martin was not hacked down at every opportunity and he had a fine game as a result. A well struck penalty and involvement in much of Hibs’ more threatening passages of play.
Hallberg – I was pleased that he retained his starting place because he’d earned it and I thought he was good again today, although he should really have converted that early effort.
Newell – Joe strolled that today and never looked like he needed to get out of first gear. I noticed Callachan and Martin continually trying to wind him up, but he never took the bait and concentrated on the game in hand.
Wright – Once again I feel a bit underwhelmed by his performance although, in fairness to him, he worked hard defensively and provided a pinpoint cross for our second goal.
Doidge – Big Christian should have scored in his one on one but didn’t let his head drop and took up the ideal position to be on the end of Wright’s cross for the second goal.
Nisbet – Kev kinda started and finished the move for his goal and his overall play throughout the time he was on the park was of good quality.
Gullan – Jamie got twenty minutes and wasn’t involved as much as I’d have liked him to be but that was more down to Hibs seeming to prefer attacking down the right more often in the later stages.
Mallan – Stevie got around the park well enough and was diligent in his defensive duties. I kept hoping we’d get a free kick in his range, but it was not to be.
Magennis – Good to see him back on the park and I thought he showed one or two fine pieces of play. The minutes will have done him good.
McGinn (S) – Didn’t really get a lot of time but he was on hand to help break up Hamilton play in the middle of the park.
Bradley – Made a good impression out on the right. His efforts at goal brought out a top notch save and a decent one from the busy Ryan Fulton.
Jack Ross – I thought he got his starting eleven, his tactics and his substitutions bang on today and he must surely be really pleased with the outcome.
Referee – I don’t particularly rate Kevin Clancy but felt he got the major decisions right today, not that there were that many to be honest.
With Jamie Murphy out through injury, Christian Doidge was restored to a starting position as Hibs lined up with a 4-4-2 formation. For their part, Hamilton had two ex Hibs players in their line up in the shape of Ben Stirling and Scott Martin.
In a fast start to proceedings, Hibs should have been a goal up inside the first five minutes when a tremendous through ball from Hanlon allowed Hallberg to control with his chest before striking a left footed effort over the bar with only the keeper to beat. On the plus side it was encouraging to see Hallberg make that kind of run in behind the defenders.
Another super through ball from Hanlon set Doidge up in a one on one with Fulton but rather than take the shot early, Christian decided to try and go round the keeper allowing Fulton to steal the ball off his toes.
Around five minutes later, a delivery into the Hamilton box from the right hand side saw Charlie Trafford clearly manhandle Porteous to the ground. Luckily, Kevin Clancy spotted the offence and awarded Hibs a penalty. I was slightly surprised when Martin Boyle stepped forward, but his finish was perfect, sending Ryan Fulton the wrong way.
With Newell prompting from midfield, Hibs were creating real problems for the hosts who just couldn’t keep possession of the ball. Joe wasn’t just creating though, as he lost possession in midfield and raced back to tackle Smith and remove any danger to the Hibs goal. It was a good example of him having that determination to go and atone for his initial error.
Little was being seen of the hosts as a forward threat and as a result, Rocky was pleasantly underemployed. Domination of possession afforded Hibs a few half chances but when they did get a shot on target, Ryan Fulton was equal to the task. A couple of corners saw first Doidge and then Hanlon steer headers over the bar before Hibs struck a second goal around the forty minute mark. Wright took possession on the Hibs left and flighted a right footed cross into the box which Doidge met from around six yards out and headed past the stranded Fulton.
Hibs were cruising but almost paid the penalty when sloppy play involving Porteous and Marciano allowed Moya to lift the ball towards an empty net, but the effort was weak allowing Stevenson to clear.
Into the second half and there was an early scare when a woefully short pass by Wright to Stevenson left the full back stranded and allowed Owolabi the chance of a strike at goal, but the effort was poor and easily gathered in by Marciano. Minutes later, a free kick from about twenty yards out made me wish Stevie Mallan was on the pitch. In his absence, Nisbet took on the task but hit his effort over the bar. Next, Stevenson set up Newell, but Joe’s effort drifted wide of the post.
In an attempt to rescue something from the game, Brian Rice made a slew of substitutions but in truth the flow of play never altered with Hibs in command. On the hour mark a fine cutback reached Drey Wright some twelve yards out but the former St. Johnstone man fired wildly over the bar with the whole goal to aim at. Thankfully, just a few minutes later, Hibs killed off the game with a third goal when Paul McGinn raced on to a loose ball in the area and fairly smashed his effort high into the top corner. Any striker in the world would have been proud of that finish.
Hibs were rampant now and Nisbet set Boyle free on the right. Boyler’s low cross could only be parried by Fulton and Kevin Nisbet was quickest to react by prodding the ball into the net from close range.
Hamilton were well beaten now, and Hibs could have added to their goal tally, but Ryan Fulton had a string of fine saves to deny them, the one handed stop from substitute Steven Bradley being the pick of the bunch. Moments later, Bradley went on a mazy run and hit an effort with his left foot that Fulton managed to gather in.
Having been forced, by the technical difficulties dogging the Hibs TV coverage again, to listen to the home commentary, I decided with about five minutes left to see if Hibs TV were back in business and they were. I learned at the end that Cliff was not in his usual spot due to the recent passing of his Mum and I’d just like to take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to Cliff and his family.
The players
Marciano – Were Efe still at ER, Rocky could have borrowed one of his cigars to give him something to do. I doubt Ofir will have an easier ninety minutes any time soon.
McGinn (P) – Another solid display from Paul who defends well and gets down the right in an attacking sense whenever the chance arises. His goal was a stunner of a strike and kinda helps illustrate my take on his willingness to get forward.
Porteous – Ryan had a good game and was totally dominant in the air whilst breaking out from the back on occasion and showing us all that he has a decent turn of pace.
Hanlon – For the second game in a row my man of the match goes to Paul. Those stunning first half passes and ninety minutes of top defending without seeming to break sweat made it an easy choice for me, despite the fact that several other players were in the hunt.
Stevenson – Lewis defended well and took every opportunity he could to get forward in support of our attacking play.
Boyle – For once, Martin was not hacked down at every opportunity and he had a fine game as a result. A well struck penalty and involvement in much of Hibs’ more threatening passages of play.
Hallberg – I was pleased that he retained his starting place because he’d earned it and I thought he was good again today, although he should really have converted that early effort.
Newell – Joe strolled that today and never looked like he needed to get out of first gear. I noticed Callachan and Martin continually trying to wind him up, but he never took the bait and concentrated on the game in hand.
Wright – Once again I feel a bit underwhelmed by his performance although, in fairness to him, he worked hard defensively and provided a pinpoint cross for our second goal.
Doidge – Big Christian should have scored in his one on one but didn’t let his head drop and took up the ideal position to be on the end of Wright’s cross for the second goal.
Nisbet – Kev kinda started and finished the move for his goal and his overall play throughout the time he was on the park was of good quality.
Gullan – Jamie got twenty minutes and wasn’t involved as much as I’d have liked him to be but that was more down to Hibs seeming to prefer attacking down the right more often in the later stages.
Mallan – Stevie got around the park well enough and was diligent in his defensive duties. I kept hoping we’d get a free kick in his range, but it was not to be.
Magennis – Good to see him back on the park and I thought he showed one or two fine pieces of play. The minutes will have done him good.
McGinn (S) – Didn’t really get a lot of time but he was on hand to help break up Hamilton play in the middle of the park.
Bradley – Made a good impression out on the right. His efforts at goal brought out a top notch save and a decent one from the busy Ryan Fulton.
Jack Ross – I thought he got his starting eleven, his tactics and his substitutions bang on today and he must surely be really pleased with the outcome.
Referee – I don’t particularly rate Kevin Clancy but felt he got the major decisions right today, not that there were that many to be honest.