Jonnyboy
04-12-2021, 07:33 PM
A freezing cold afternoon in Leith didn’t stop Hibs and Motherwell from serving up a very entertaining game. Both sides were committed to attack and although only two goals were scored there were numerous occasions to add to that tally. I’ll come to my man of the match award later but before doing so I have to say that for me the best player on the park, by some distance, was Tony Watt. I know he’s been a bit of a football nomad but it’s not the first time he’s stuck out for me in a game against Motherwell. I found myself wishing he was in our green and white rather than the claret and amber of his current club.
There were no surprises in Hibs’ starting line up and inside the first minute they might have taken the lead after Josh Doig sent in an inviting cross that flew just over the head of Martin Boyle. Seconds later, Josh Campbell fired narrowly wide before the visitors had a couple of chances of their own. Kevin van Veen looked certain to score but was denied by an excellent diving block by Paul McGinn and then Watt had his pocket picked just as he shaped to shoot.
The visitors were now having the better of it but had to be on their toes to deny Nisbet a goal as keeper Kelly looked to be struggling before Lamie stepped in to clear the danger. Soon after that, Porteous had a headed effort saved before Motherwell went back on the hunt and following a poor pass back, Cornelius broke through on goal, only to be denied by a fine Macey save.
Motherwell felt they could smell blood and in the space of sixty seconds, Watt had two chances to open the scoring. The first came from a shot which Macey pushed around the post and the second came when Hibs failed to properly clear the corner, allowing van Veen time to centre the ball but Watt’s header was poor and cleared the bar.
Just past the half hour, Hibs took the lead when good play down the right allowed Josh Campbell to send in a low left footed cross which Kevin Nisbet brilliantly steered past Kelly on the half volley. It was a cracking goal and arguably against the run of play as Hibs had been on the back foot for several minutes prior to striking. The visitors were stunned for a few minutes but were soon back on the hunt when van Veen could only find the side netting from a difficult angle. At the other end, Boyle clipped a high looping ball to Nisbet, but Kevin couldn’t generate any pace with his header and Kelly saved easily. Moments later, Slattery was booked for a crude challenge on Boyle and as he had done with every free kick Hibs got in the attacking half, van Veen stood right in front of the taker and each time that went unpunished by the referee. Prior to the half time whistle, Hanlon had a half chance but couldn’t steady himself for a shot and Kelly was able to gather.
The half time interval witnessed the introduction of Chris Mueller to the home fans, and he immediately won acclamation by confirming he had learned the words to Sunshine on Leith and looked forward to singing it after the New Year derby!
Hibs started the second half very much on the front foot and Martin Boyle had a chance to double the lead when set up by Josh Campbell, but the resulting shot flew wide of the target. Campbell himself was next to try his luck but his weak effort was easily dealt with. Chris Cadden then had a go, but his attempt was wide of the mark. Motherwell had been on the back foot but on the hour mark and against the run of play they equalised. From a free kick, van Veen knocked the ball into the path of Mugabi, but that effort was cleared. Picking up on the clearance, Goss lifted the ball back into the area where three Hibs players converged to head clear but that left space at the edge of the box for Tony Watt who beat Macey with a low drive which went in off a post.
That goal stung Hibs into action and in the space of just a couple of minutes, Campbell, Cadden and Nisbet all had chances but were unable to convert them. With twenty minutes left, Jamie Murphy replaced the tiring Chris Cadden and was immediately fouled by Stephen O’Donnell. Moments later he was involved in a move that saw Josh Doig set up Ryann Porteous, but the Hibs central defender saw his attempt at goal blocked. Jake-Doyle Hayes was next to be replaced, Christian Doidge coming on to join Nisbet in attack.
With around a quarter of an hour to go, referee Colin Steven finally booked van Veen when the big Dutchman poked the ball out of Macey’s hands as the keeper looked to throw to a team mate. In another flurry of Hibs attacks, Lamie cleared off the line from a Campbell effort and then Boyle’s low cross was so nearly met by the outstretched leg of Ryan Porteous. A shot from Goss reminded Hibs they needed to take care at the back whilst pushing for a second goal, a goal that was so close to arriving when Josh Campbell crashed a ferocious shot off the crossbar with Kelly well beaten. Next, Slattery at one end and Nisbet at the other saw decent efforts thwarted but try as they might, Hibs could not get a winning goal and so the spoils were shared.
That single point meant Hibs slipped to seventh with Aberdeen overtaking them thanks to a comprehensive 4-1 win against St. Mirren at Pittodrie. It was, of course, disappointing that Hibs didn’t win but I have to say they played well and very well in patches so the booing at the end left me a bit bamboozled.
The players
Macey – Matt had a fine one on one save in the first half with another couple of decent saves as well, but I confess his time in taking goal kicks etc, rips my knitting. In added time today for example, he seemed to take an eternity to launch a free kick into the Motherwell half, wasting precious seconds in the process.
McGinn – Paul made a number of good blocks today with the one denying van Veen in the first half I’d class as excellent. A partnership with Cadden down the right looks to be developing.
Porteous – Ryan was solid for the most part and had little trouble in dealing with van Veen.
Hanlon – With Tony Watt involved in a lot of Motherwell’s forward play, Paul had to be fully alert, and he managed that by and large.
Cadden – Worked very hard and delivered a few decent crosses into the box, one in particular just begging for a touch from a team mate.
Doyle-Hayes – This laddie covers so much ground and clearly has a good engine in him. I know he had a bit of an off patch recently but for me he’s back at it again and looking better every game.
Newell – Works well together with Jake in providing cover for our defence and springing forward when the chance arises. His booking today was warranted, and I suspect Jack Ross took him off later in the game to prevent a second yellow, after Joe had put in a couple of risky challenges.
Campbell – I see the BBC reporter gave Josh man of the match and that’s a good call based on his performance. He came close for my pick too.
Boyle – A quiet first half but much better in the second. Playing wide on the right affords him more of an opportunity to run at defenders and he did that later in the game with two or three decent crosses into the box.
Nisbet – His best performance for a while, I’d say. Full of running, good link up play and an exquisite finish for the Hibs goal. I know some on dot net would happily see him moved on but I’m not in that camp and think he’s at the start of a good run of form, buoyed by the fact that Doidge is now back in action. Kevin wins my man of the match award.
Murphy – Good to see him add an attacking element when he came on. It’s been said many times before but if he can stay fit, he’ll be a huge asset for the remainder of the season.
Doidge – I thought Christian looked off it today and hardly got involved after coming off the bench. I believe he’s suffered an illness this week and that might be a significant factor.
Allan - Scotty wasn’t on long enough to weave any magic.
Jack Ross – I heard his interview and can’t really disagree with what he said. We played well today and so did the visitors, but I still feel we might have edged it had Murphy been given longer off the bench.
Referee – Colin Steven is an odd looking wee individual, and he made a few odd decisions today but apart from him being overly pernickety about exactly where a throw in should be taken from I don’t think he displayed any of the ‘look at me’ signs that the likes of Kevin Clancy and John Beaton do.
There were no surprises in Hibs’ starting line up and inside the first minute they might have taken the lead after Josh Doig sent in an inviting cross that flew just over the head of Martin Boyle. Seconds later, Josh Campbell fired narrowly wide before the visitors had a couple of chances of their own. Kevin van Veen looked certain to score but was denied by an excellent diving block by Paul McGinn and then Watt had his pocket picked just as he shaped to shoot.
The visitors were now having the better of it but had to be on their toes to deny Nisbet a goal as keeper Kelly looked to be struggling before Lamie stepped in to clear the danger. Soon after that, Porteous had a headed effort saved before Motherwell went back on the hunt and following a poor pass back, Cornelius broke through on goal, only to be denied by a fine Macey save.
Motherwell felt they could smell blood and in the space of sixty seconds, Watt had two chances to open the scoring. The first came from a shot which Macey pushed around the post and the second came when Hibs failed to properly clear the corner, allowing van Veen time to centre the ball but Watt’s header was poor and cleared the bar.
Just past the half hour, Hibs took the lead when good play down the right allowed Josh Campbell to send in a low left footed cross which Kevin Nisbet brilliantly steered past Kelly on the half volley. It was a cracking goal and arguably against the run of play as Hibs had been on the back foot for several minutes prior to striking. The visitors were stunned for a few minutes but were soon back on the hunt when van Veen could only find the side netting from a difficult angle. At the other end, Boyle clipped a high looping ball to Nisbet, but Kevin couldn’t generate any pace with his header and Kelly saved easily. Moments later, Slattery was booked for a crude challenge on Boyle and as he had done with every free kick Hibs got in the attacking half, van Veen stood right in front of the taker and each time that went unpunished by the referee. Prior to the half time whistle, Hanlon had a half chance but couldn’t steady himself for a shot and Kelly was able to gather.
The half time interval witnessed the introduction of Chris Mueller to the home fans, and he immediately won acclamation by confirming he had learned the words to Sunshine on Leith and looked forward to singing it after the New Year derby!
Hibs started the second half very much on the front foot and Martin Boyle had a chance to double the lead when set up by Josh Campbell, but the resulting shot flew wide of the target. Campbell himself was next to try his luck but his weak effort was easily dealt with. Chris Cadden then had a go, but his attempt was wide of the mark. Motherwell had been on the back foot but on the hour mark and against the run of play they equalised. From a free kick, van Veen knocked the ball into the path of Mugabi, but that effort was cleared. Picking up on the clearance, Goss lifted the ball back into the area where three Hibs players converged to head clear but that left space at the edge of the box for Tony Watt who beat Macey with a low drive which went in off a post.
That goal stung Hibs into action and in the space of just a couple of minutes, Campbell, Cadden and Nisbet all had chances but were unable to convert them. With twenty minutes left, Jamie Murphy replaced the tiring Chris Cadden and was immediately fouled by Stephen O’Donnell. Moments later he was involved in a move that saw Josh Doig set up Ryann Porteous, but the Hibs central defender saw his attempt at goal blocked. Jake-Doyle Hayes was next to be replaced, Christian Doidge coming on to join Nisbet in attack.
With around a quarter of an hour to go, referee Colin Steven finally booked van Veen when the big Dutchman poked the ball out of Macey’s hands as the keeper looked to throw to a team mate. In another flurry of Hibs attacks, Lamie cleared off the line from a Campbell effort and then Boyle’s low cross was so nearly met by the outstretched leg of Ryan Porteous. A shot from Goss reminded Hibs they needed to take care at the back whilst pushing for a second goal, a goal that was so close to arriving when Josh Campbell crashed a ferocious shot off the crossbar with Kelly well beaten. Next, Slattery at one end and Nisbet at the other saw decent efforts thwarted but try as they might, Hibs could not get a winning goal and so the spoils were shared.
That single point meant Hibs slipped to seventh with Aberdeen overtaking them thanks to a comprehensive 4-1 win against St. Mirren at Pittodrie. It was, of course, disappointing that Hibs didn’t win but I have to say they played well and very well in patches so the booing at the end left me a bit bamboozled.
The players
Macey – Matt had a fine one on one save in the first half with another couple of decent saves as well, but I confess his time in taking goal kicks etc, rips my knitting. In added time today for example, he seemed to take an eternity to launch a free kick into the Motherwell half, wasting precious seconds in the process.
McGinn – Paul made a number of good blocks today with the one denying van Veen in the first half I’d class as excellent. A partnership with Cadden down the right looks to be developing.
Porteous – Ryan was solid for the most part and had little trouble in dealing with van Veen.
Hanlon – With Tony Watt involved in a lot of Motherwell’s forward play, Paul had to be fully alert, and he managed that by and large.
Cadden – Worked very hard and delivered a few decent crosses into the box, one in particular just begging for a touch from a team mate.
Doyle-Hayes – This laddie covers so much ground and clearly has a good engine in him. I know he had a bit of an off patch recently but for me he’s back at it again and looking better every game.
Newell – Works well together with Jake in providing cover for our defence and springing forward when the chance arises. His booking today was warranted, and I suspect Jack Ross took him off later in the game to prevent a second yellow, after Joe had put in a couple of risky challenges.
Campbell – I see the BBC reporter gave Josh man of the match and that’s a good call based on his performance. He came close for my pick too.
Boyle – A quiet first half but much better in the second. Playing wide on the right affords him more of an opportunity to run at defenders and he did that later in the game with two or three decent crosses into the box.
Nisbet – His best performance for a while, I’d say. Full of running, good link up play and an exquisite finish for the Hibs goal. I know some on dot net would happily see him moved on but I’m not in that camp and think he’s at the start of a good run of form, buoyed by the fact that Doidge is now back in action. Kevin wins my man of the match award.
Murphy – Good to see him add an attacking element when he came on. It’s been said many times before but if he can stay fit, he’ll be a huge asset for the remainder of the season.
Doidge – I thought Christian looked off it today and hardly got involved after coming off the bench. I believe he’s suffered an illness this week and that might be a significant factor.
Allan - Scotty wasn’t on long enough to weave any magic.
Jack Ross – I heard his interview and can’t really disagree with what he said. We played well today and so did the visitors, but I still feel we might have edged it had Murphy been given longer off the bench.
Referee – Colin Steven is an odd looking wee individual, and he made a few odd decisions today but apart from him being overly pernickety about exactly where a throw in should be taken from I don’t think he displayed any of the ‘look at me’ signs that the likes of Kevin Clancy and John Beaton do.