Jonnyboy
06-02-2021, 05:25 PM
Back in action after their fine win in Paisley, Hibs fielded the same starting eleven whilst David Gray returned with a place on a strong looking substitutes bench at the expense of young Bradley. The pitch looked a bit better than it has of late, but the overhead conditions were testing as the wind swirled around the pitch.
Hibs opened brightly and early efforts by Boyle and Cadden set the tone as the home side took a grip of the game with the latter chasing a hopeful through ball. The latter’s presence forced Leigh into under hitting a pass back and as Chris shaped his shot, Joe Lewis managed a block to stop his side going 1-0 down. Leigh was injured in that instance and had to be replaced by McLennan who announced his arrival by firing a shot at Marciano, but the ball was blocked before it reached the keeper.
The Dons were having their best period of possession and further efforts by McCrorie and Ferguson had them on the front foot but that didn’t last. The midfield battle was entertaining, and those two Dons players were more than matched by the dynamic efforts of both Gogic and Irvine. On twenty five minutes, Boyle was set free by a stunning Murphy pass, but Joe Lewis thwarted the Hibs man by making his body big. Moments later, Boyle would feature again as he opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Murphy had come in from the left and was clearly fouled by Lewis Ferguson, resulting in Wille Collum pointing to the spot.
Another chance fell to Boyle but once again Lewis thwarted him. Hornby who had been well marshalled by McGregor got a shot away, but the effort was blocked. At the other end, Paul McGinn had an attempt blocked as Hibs pushed on looking for a second goal. Doidge had a shot saved by Lewis before he and Irvine were caught offside in the nest two phases of play. Leigh had been down for some time earlier in the game but even then, it was mystifying where Willie Collum got four additional minutes from. At least he was consistent because he added another four on at the end of the game, a decision that rightly prompted Jack Ross to ask questions of the fourth official.
The second half started as the first had with Hibs winning the possession battle and had he shown a little more composure Doig may have doubled the lead, but the youngster shot wildly over the bar. Gogic, who had been winning his personal battle over Ross McCrorie, was booked around fifty five minutes in but to his credit he didn’t let that influence his combative style of play.
Realising his team were getting nowhere, Derek McInnes made a double change, bringing on more attack minded players but Hibs were defending very well as a unit and any efforts on goal were either blocked or wide of the mark. Indeed, Rocky had had a quiet afternoon of it and that alone offered evidence that Hibs were in control. The next chance fell to Doidge who chest controlled a wonderful pass from Irvine but as he made to shoot, Joe Lewis got down to smother the ball. I felt that if Doidge had gone with his left foot he may have got there before the keeper.
Obviously, a one goal lead can be at risk and when Jackson Irvine went down clutching his shoulder it forced his replacement by Kyle Magennis. At the same time, Lewis Stevenson replaced Josh Doig and with his first touch of the ball, Stevenson delivered a sumptuous pass to Boyle who ran on to the through ball before stroking it through the legs of the advancing Joe Lewis. It was needless to say a crucial strike at an important point in the game, given that the Dons had introduced a greater attacking threat with their substitutions.
Efforts from Niall McGinn and Hornby were dealt with and as the tiring Jamie Murphy was replaced by Hallberg, Hibs looked even more secure in protecting their lead. Having said that, Hibs enjoyed a slice of luck when a Hornby header glanced off the top of Hanlon’s head with the ball striking the bar before being cleared by Stevenson. With the end of the game drawing near, Nisbet won a free kick around twenty five yards from goal but his resultant effort of a shot at goal sailed miles over the bar.
With the game over and having had time to reflect I’d say we were well worth our win, never really looked like conceding and though Aberdeen were not great it doesn’t take away from the fact that had good chances been taken it could easily have finished 5-0. The three points gives us a five point cushion although they have a game in hand. Add to that the fact that Livi finally lost a game, we now have a ten point cushion over them although they too have a game in hand.
The players
Marciano – A quiet afternoon for Rocky as his goal was well protected throughout.
McGinn – I found myself shouting at the screen a couple of times when Paul gave away possession by lofting the ball down the right but then I thought to myself, he had nowhere else to put the ball so those ahead of him should have realised that and moved accordingly.
McGregor – The man is a colossus and never lost a header all day. I hope that when he’s getting changed, he remembers to remove Hornby from his back pocket.
Hanlon – Paul always looks more assured when partnered by Daz and today he defended well but his use of the forward pass could have been better on occasion.
Cadden – We’ve won a watch with this laddie. Great energy in getting up and down the park and his quick use of the ball often opens up opportunities for his team mates. Possibly could have done better in his one on one but I reckon he thought Leigh was still behind him and that made him rush the effort.
Gogic – Is there a blade of grass out there that he hasn’t stood on? From the first whistle to the last he bullied and often dominated the Dons midfield, putting on a far better show than the much admired McCrorie. Despite clearly taking a sore one to the shoulder he simply got up and got on with it and he wins my man of the match award.
Irvine – Was having a fine game before he went off injured. I still feel I’d like to see him further forward, but I guess that’s just me being greedy. I was happy to hear that his shoulder problem seems to be an impact injury rather than a dislocation.
Murphy – Jamie seems to get better with every game he plays and for his time on the park today I reckon he showed the kind of ability we’ve all waited to see.
Doig – I like Josh, a lot but I don’t think he was at his best today. One of his skills is whipping in crosses but today’s efforts for the most part either hit the first man or were over hit and sailed out of play.
Boyle – Martin can’t seem to stop scoring at the minute and long may that continue. He is back to his best I reckon and with a little more composure could have had a hat trick. I know he was the sponsor’s man of the match but Gogic just pipped him for mine.
Doidge – Much will be made of his current lack of goals and to an extent I can understand that but for me he offers so much both attacking and defending I’m happy to ride out his drought as I’m sure the goals will come again soon.
Magennis – Kyle is still getting up to speed, but he irked me when he went charging down the middle with team mates left and right only to run straight into trouble.
Stevenson – What a fantastic pass that was for Boyle’s second goal. It’s no secret I’m an admirer of Lewis but the pass didn’t surprise me because he’s done similar down through the years.
Hallberg – Brought on to ensure we continued to dictate the play and although Aberdeen had a wee spell after going two down, Hallberg and others ensured there was no way through to Rocky’s goal.
Nisbet – I thought he might have been brought on earlier but when he did come on, he featured favourably enough, apart from that horrendous free kick!
Jack Ross – A happy man and rightly so as his team were by far the best on the day. Contrast that with McInnes’s interview where he suggested there wasn’t a lot in the game and that the penalty wasn’t a penalty. Sounds like the dying cries of a manager about to get the boot.
Referee – Willie Collum got most things right – these are words I never thought I’d ever type.
Hibs opened brightly and early efforts by Boyle and Cadden set the tone as the home side took a grip of the game with the latter chasing a hopeful through ball. The latter’s presence forced Leigh into under hitting a pass back and as Chris shaped his shot, Joe Lewis managed a block to stop his side going 1-0 down. Leigh was injured in that instance and had to be replaced by McLennan who announced his arrival by firing a shot at Marciano, but the ball was blocked before it reached the keeper.
The Dons were having their best period of possession and further efforts by McCrorie and Ferguson had them on the front foot but that didn’t last. The midfield battle was entertaining, and those two Dons players were more than matched by the dynamic efforts of both Gogic and Irvine. On twenty five minutes, Boyle was set free by a stunning Murphy pass, but Joe Lewis thwarted the Hibs man by making his body big. Moments later, Boyle would feature again as he opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Murphy had come in from the left and was clearly fouled by Lewis Ferguson, resulting in Wille Collum pointing to the spot.
Another chance fell to Boyle but once again Lewis thwarted him. Hornby who had been well marshalled by McGregor got a shot away, but the effort was blocked. At the other end, Paul McGinn had an attempt blocked as Hibs pushed on looking for a second goal. Doidge had a shot saved by Lewis before he and Irvine were caught offside in the nest two phases of play. Leigh had been down for some time earlier in the game but even then, it was mystifying where Willie Collum got four additional minutes from. At least he was consistent because he added another four on at the end of the game, a decision that rightly prompted Jack Ross to ask questions of the fourth official.
The second half started as the first had with Hibs winning the possession battle and had he shown a little more composure Doig may have doubled the lead, but the youngster shot wildly over the bar. Gogic, who had been winning his personal battle over Ross McCrorie, was booked around fifty five minutes in but to his credit he didn’t let that influence his combative style of play.
Realising his team were getting nowhere, Derek McInnes made a double change, bringing on more attack minded players but Hibs were defending very well as a unit and any efforts on goal were either blocked or wide of the mark. Indeed, Rocky had had a quiet afternoon of it and that alone offered evidence that Hibs were in control. The next chance fell to Doidge who chest controlled a wonderful pass from Irvine but as he made to shoot, Joe Lewis got down to smother the ball. I felt that if Doidge had gone with his left foot he may have got there before the keeper.
Obviously, a one goal lead can be at risk and when Jackson Irvine went down clutching his shoulder it forced his replacement by Kyle Magennis. At the same time, Lewis Stevenson replaced Josh Doig and with his first touch of the ball, Stevenson delivered a sumptuous pass to Boyle who ran on to the through ball before stroking it through the legs of the advancing Joe Lewis. It was needless to say a crucial strike at an important point in the game, given that the Dons had introduced a greater attacking threat with their substitutions.
Efforts from Niall McGinn and Hornby were dealt with and as the tiring Jamie Murphy was replaced by Hallberg, Hibs looked even more secure in protecting their lead. Having said that, Hibs enjoyed a slice of luck when a Hornby header glanced off the top of Hanlon’s head with the ball striking the bar before being cleared by Stevenson. With the end of the game drawing near, Nisbet won a free kick around twenty five yards from goal but his resultant effort of a shot at goal sailed miles over the bar.
With the game over and having had time to reflect I’d say we were well worth our win, never really looked like conceding and though Aberdeen were not great it doesn’t take away from the fact that had good chances been taken it could easily have finished 5-0. The three points gives us a five point cushion although they have a game in hand. Add to that the fact that Livi finally lost a game, we now have a ten point cushion over them although they too have a game in hand.
The players
Marciano – A quiet afternoon for Rocky as his goal was well protected throughout.
McGinn – I found myself shouting at the screen a couple of times when Paul gave away possession by lofting the ball down the right but then I thought to myself, he had nowhere else to put the ball so those ahead of him should have realised that and moved accordingly.
McGregor – The man is a colossus and never lost a header all day. I hope that when he’s getting changed, he remembers to remove Hornby from his back pocket.
Hanlon – Paul always looks more assured when partnered by Daz and today he defended well but his use of the forward pass could have been better on occasion.
Cadden – We’ve won a watch with this laddie. Great energy in getting up and down the park and his quick use of the ball often opens up opportunities for his team mates. Possibly could have done better in his one on one but I reckon he thought Leigh was still behind him and that made him rush the effort.
Gogic – Is there a blade of grass out there that he hasn’t stood on? From the first whistle to the last he bullied and often dominated the Dons midfield, putting on a far better show than the much admired McCrorie. Despite clearly taking a sore one to the shoulder he simply got up and got on with it and he wins my man of the match award.
Irvine – Was having a fine game before he went off injured. I still feel I’d like to see him further forward, but I guess that’s just me being greedy. I was happy to hear that his shoulder problem seems to be an impact injury rather than a dislocation.
Murphy – Jamie seems to get better with every game he plays and for his time on the park today I reckon he showed the kind of ability we’ve all waited to see.
Doig – I like Josh, a lot but I don’t think he was at his best today. One of his skills is whipping in crosses but today’s efforts for the most part either hit the first man or were over hit and sailed out of play.
Boyle – Martin can’t seem to stop scoring at the minute and long may that continue. He is back to his best I reckon and with a little more composure could have had a hat trick. I know he was the sponsor’s man of the match but Gogic just pipped him for mine.
Doidge – Much will be made of his current lack of goals and to an extent I can understand that but for me he offers so much both attacking and defending I’m happy to ride out his drought as I’m sure the goals will come again soon.
Magennis – Kyle is still getting up to speed, but he irked me when he went charging down the middle with team mates left and right only to run straight into trouble.
Stevenson – What a fantastic pass that was for Boyle’s second goal. It’s no secret I’m an admirer of Lewis but the pass didn’t surprise me because he’s done similar down through the years.
Hallberg – Brought on to ensure we continued to dictate the play and although Aberdeen had a wee spell after going two down, Hallberg and others ensured there was no way through to Rocky’s goal.
Nisbet – I thought he might have been brought on earlier but when he did come on, he featured favourably enough, apart from that horrendous free kick!
Jack Ross – A happy man and rightly so as his team were by far the best on the day. Contrast that with McInnes’s interview where he suggested there wasn’t a lot in the game and that the penalty wasn’t a penalty. Sounds like the dying cries of a manager about to get the boot.
Referee – Willie Collum got most things right – these are words I never thought I’d ever type.