Jonnyboy
08-08-2021, 06:21 PM
Fortunate enough to get a ticket again, I was delighted to watch Hibs turn in a fabulous performance to secure the three points on offer. In truth the game was done and dusted after thirty odd minutes, but the players kept their focus and denied Ross County even a single shot on target. I venture to say that another dynamic performance like this one will severely test HNK Rijeka on Thursday coming.
Jack Ross made just two changes to his starting eleven. Fed up with all the talk and no action from suitors, the manager reintroduced Josh Doig to the left back slot and fielded Christian Doidge up top after Kevin Nisbet failed to recover from a dead leg injury.
Within the first two minutes, Harry Paton committed two fouls that looked yellow card challenges but referee Grant Irvine (a new name to me) saw no reason to reach for his pocket. Hibs were moving the ball well and Boyle had the chance of an early effort with the ball whizzing across the six yard box in front of keeper Ross Laidlaw. For their part, County striker Jordan White headed over whilst at the other end, Magennis flashed a shot in that went just the wrong side of the post. Seconds later he had another effort blocked as the visitors were pinned back in their own half.
Around the fifteen minute mark, Boyle cleverly cushioned a header down to Doidge, but the big man cleared the bar with his shot. It’s no exaggeration to say that Hibs were well on top and just past the twenty minute mark their superiority paid off. Newell picked out Boyle near the edge of the box and as the winger fired his shot on goal the ball struck a defender before looping up and over Laidlaw and into the net. Some may say it was lucky but I prefer to say good fortune because the intent was to score, and he did just that. Two minutes later he almost doubled his tally when Murphy set him up, but the shot was blocked almost on the goal line.
With their tails up the hosts scored again five minutes after their first. This time the ball was worked down the left and Doig hit the byeline before delivering the ball on to the waiting head of Kyle Magennis who glanced his header beyond Laidlaw, leaving the former Hibs keeper with no chance.
Hibs were rampant now and totally bossing the midfield with Doyle-Hayes in particular catching the eye. Murphy saw an effort blocked before Porteous blasted an effort over the bar from about thirty yards. County were chasing shadows and their goal continued to be threatened. Just past the half hour they conceded again when a fine cross by Paul McGinn was headed home by Christian Doidge. I know it’s very early in the season but County look as though they’ll struggle and Malky MacKay has a massive job on his hands.
When Murphy had an effort well saved, down to the keeper’s right I felt there was a real chance Hibs could score as many as they liked but the visitors managed to hold out until the interval. Hibs made just one change at the break; Hanlon being replaced by McGregor. Paul had been injured early doors and my guess is the head cut he suffered against Rijeka had opened up again. County replaced Paton and Donaldson with Burroughs and Clark, and it has to be said they looked the better for it.
Hibs were still enjoying the bulk of possession and though I confess I’d like to have seen them add to their tally it was a combination of being comfortable with their lot and to an extent conserving energy for Thursday night in Croatia. We still pushed forward but County were better organised now, and clear chances were few and far between. That doesn’t mean to say we didn’t set up to score again but often the final effort was off target. Murphy, Doidge and McGregor all worked the goalkeeper whilst Macey was having a very quiet time of it.
There were a number of meaty challenges and quite how Ross Callachan escaped with just a yellow after he launched himself at Jamie Murphy is a mystery to me. With twenty minutes left, Boyle got a standing ovation as he trotted off to be replaced by Dan MacKay with Scotty Allan joining MacKay a few minutes later in place of Murphy.
The only times County looked in any way threatening was when they fed the ball to Regan Charles-Cook but often any delivery he provided from out wide either sailed over everyone’s head or was blocked before reaching the danger area. There was plenty of effort in the closing stages but no more goals, the three being scored ensuring Hibs ended the weekend in top spot.
The players
Macey – A spectator for most of the game. Still a bit dodgy with the ball at his feet but never really threatened.
McGinn – I felt Paul wasn’t really at it on Thursday, but he was fine today and largely dealt well with the threat of Regan Charles-Cook. His cross for the third goal was inch perfect.
Porteous – My man of the match last Thursday came close again today. Excellent defensively and a number of excellent forward passes to maintain pressure on the County defence.
Hanlon – Only played the first forty five due to his injury but he was largely untroubled and held his own against the bustling Jordan White.
Doig – Great to see the lad back playing and his performance offered no thought that he is in any way distracted by all the transfer talk. A fine run and cross for the Magennis goal.
Newell – He frustrates some at times, me included but he was fine today and got around the park to help both attack and defence.
Doyle-Hayes – My man of the match, he just popped up everywhere and I love the fact that his first thought, when receiving the ball, is to move forward. A very talented young boy who could have a bright future ahead of him.
Boyle – Once again Martin was booted from pillar to post and once again, he just carried on posing a threat to the opponents. Excellent contribution today.
Magennis – Kyle has, I hope, removed the concern shown by some that he wasn’t as good as hoped for. Another fine performance today and I have to say I was delighted that one of our midfielders arrived in the box to take the opportunity to score. Almost McGinlayesque!
Murphy – After a quiet time of it on Thursday, Jamie turned up big style today and provided some excellent moments in the game. Thank goodness the assault by Callachan doesn’t seem to have damaged him.
Doidge – First class lone striker display today. Held the ball up well; brought his team mates in to play and still had time for a few more deft flicks as well as scoring with a fine header.
McGregor – Daz just turns up time and again. Masterful in the air, you’ve just gotta love the big fella.
MacKay – It’s kinda sad that my first thought today was that he’d quite possibly be getting pelters on the matchday thread because there are those who are somewhat unforgiving, and the kid made a few little errors during his brief time on the park. Once his confidence grows, he’ll prove to be an asset.
Allan – Scotty is a bit part player at the moment, but I have two thoughts about that. Firstly, his arrival on to the pitch unleashes a wonderful burst of positivity from the fans and secondly, what a cracking talent to have available from the bench. I’d love to see him start but Magennis, Doyle-Hayes and Newell don’t really deserve to be dropped at the moment.
Jack Ross – I can only imagine him sporting an enormous grin when asked how he felt his players had performed.
Referee – I think there’s a new UEFA directive to referees to allow more physical contact but I think he overdid it on his interpretation of the rules because a number of quite hefty challenges were allowed to occur.
Jack Ross made just two changes to his starting eleven. Fed up with all the talk and no action from suitors, the manager reintroduced Josh Doig to the left back slot and fielded Christian Doidge up top after Kevin Nisbet failed to recover from a dead leg injury.
Within the first two minutes, Harry Paton committed two fouls that looked yellow card challenges but referee Grant Irvine (a new name to me) saw no reason to reach for his pocket. Hibs were moving the ball well and Boyle had the chance of an early effort with the ball whizzing across the six yard box in front of keeper Ross Laidlaw. For their part, County striker Jordan White headed over whilst at the other end, Magennis flashed a shot in that went just the wrong side of the post. Seconds later he had another effort blocked as the visitors were pinned back in their own half.
Around the fifteen minute mark, Boyle cleverly cushioned a header down to Doidge, but the big man cleared the bar with his shot. It’s no exaggeration to say that Hibs were well on top and just past the twenty minute mark their superiority paid off. Newell picked out Boyle near the edge of the box and as the winger fired his shot on goal the ball struck a defender before looping up and over Laidlaw and into the net. Some may say it was lucky but I prefer to say good fortune because the intent was to score, and he did just that. Two minutes later he almost doubled his tally when Murphy set him up, but the shot was blocked almost on the goal line.
With their tails up the hosts scored again five minutes after their first. This time the ball was worked down the left and Doig hit the byeline before delivering the ball on to the waiting head of Kyle Magennis who glanced his header beyond Laidlaw, leaving the former Hibs keeper with no chance.
Hibs were rampant now and totally bossing the midfield with Doyle-Hayes in particular catching the eye. Murphy saw an effort blocked before Porteous blasted an effort over the bar from about thirty yards. County were chasing shadows and their goal continued to be threatened. Just past the half hour they conceded again when a fine cross by Paul McGinn was headed home by Christian Doidge. I know it’s very early in the season but County look as though they’ll struggle and Malky MacKay has a massive job on his hands.
When Murphy had an effort well saved, down to the keeper’s right I felt there was a real chance Hibs could score as many as they liked but the visitors managed to hold out until the interval. Hibs made just one change at the break; Hanlon being replaced by McGregor. Paul had been injured early doors and my guess is the head cut he suffered against Rijeka had opened up again. County replaced Paton and Donaldson with Burroughs and Clark, and it has to be said they looked the better for it.
Hibs were still enjoying the bulk of possession and though I confess I’d like to have seen them add to their tally it was a combination of being comfortable with their lot and to an extent conserving energy for Thursday night in Croatia. We still pushed forward but County were better organised now, and clear chances were few and far between. That doesn’t mean to say we didn’t set up to score again but often the final effort was off target. Murphy, Doidge and McGregor all worked the goalkeeper whilst Macey was having a very quiet time of it.
There were a number of meaty challenges and quite how Ross Callachan escaped with just a yellow after he launched himself at Jamie Murphy is a mystery to me. With twenty minutes left, Boyle got a standing ovation as he trotted off to be replaced by Dan MacKay with Scotty Allan joining MacKay a few minutes later in place of Murphy.
The only times County looked in any way threatening was when they fed the ball to Regan Charles-Cook but often any delivery he provided from out wide either sailed over everyone’s head or was blocked before reaching the danger area. There was plenty of effort in the closing stages but no more goals, the three being scored ensuring Hibs ended the weekend in top spot.
The players
Macey – A spectator for most of the game. Still a bit dodgy with the ball at his feet but never really threatened.
McGinn – I felt Paul wasn’t really at it on Thursday, but he was fine today and largely dealt well with the threat of Regan Charles-Cook. His cross for the third goal was inch perfect.
Porteous – My man of the match last Thursday came close again today. Excellent defensively and a number of excellent forward passes to maintain pressure on the County defence.
Hanlon – Only played the first forty five due to his injury but he was largely untroubled and held his own against the bustling Jordan White.
Doig – Great to see the lad back playing and his performance offered no thought that he is in any way distracted by all the transfer talk. A fine run and cross for the Magennis goal.
Newell – He frustrates some at times, me included but he was fine today and got around the park to help both attack and defence.
Doyle-Hayes – My man of the match, he just popped up everywhere and I love the fact that his first thought, when receiving the ball, is to move forward. A very talented young boy who could have a bright future ahead of him.
Boyle – Once again Martin was booted from pillar to post and once again, he just carried on posing a threat to the opponents. Excellent contribution today.
Magennis – Kyle has, I hope, removed the concern shown by some that he wasn’t as good as hoped for. Another fine performance today and I have to say I was delighted that one of our midfielders arrived in the box to take the opportunity to score. Almost McGinlayesque!
Murphy – After a quiet time of it on Thursday, Jamie turned up big style today and provided some excellent moments in the game. Thank goodness the assault by Callachan doesn’t seem to have damaged him.
Doidge – First class lone striker display today. Held the ball up well; brought his team mates in to play and still had time for a few more deft flicks as well as scoring with a fine header.
McGregor – Daz just turns up time and again. Masterful in the air, you’ve just gotta love the big fella.
MacKay – It’s kinda sad that my first thought today was that he’d quite possibly be getting pelters on the matchday thread because there are those who are somewhat unforgiving, and the kid made a few little errors during his brief time on the park. Once his confidence grows, he’ll prove to be an asset.
Allan – Scotty is a bit part player at the moment, but I have two thoughts about that. Firstly, his arrival on to the pitch unleashes a wonderful burst of positivity from the fans and secondly, what a cracking talent to have available from the bench. I’d love to see him start but Magennis, Doyle-Hayes and Newell don’t really deserve to be dropped at the moment.
Jack Ross – I can only imagine him sporting an enormous grin when asked how he felt his players had performed.
Referee – I think there’s a new UEFA directive to referees to allow more physical contact but I think he overdid it on his interpretation of the rules because a number of quite hefty challenges were allowed to occur.