Jonnyboy
17-07-2022, 05:54 PM
As expected, following a poor result against Falkirk in the week, Lee Johnson made wholesale changes to his starting eleven with Marshall, Cadden, Porteous, Kenneh, Henderson and Melkersen replacing Dabrowski, Miller, McClelland, Campbell, Doyle-Hayes and Hauge and those changes brought an early reward when Melkersen harried Rose keeper into making a swift clearance into the crowd. From the throw in, Doidge nodded the ball down where a Rose defender attempting to clear hit his effort off a team mate and the ball fell kindly to Joe Newell who swept his shot into the far corner from around ten yards.
It was the ideal start for Hibs and following good interplay on the left between McGeady, Newell and Henderson the ball made its way to Doidge just inside the Rose area. As the big striker was trying to take control of the ball, Stewart hacked him down and referee Steven McLean quickly pointed to the spot. Up stepped Aiden McGeady but from twelve yards he struck the ball wide of Weir’s left hand post. In the aftermath, Weir was booked for launching a verbal tirade at McGeady.
That miss seemed to knock Hibs off their stride a bit and though Marshall’s goal never looked under threat, Hibs were making heavy weather of breaking down a stuffy Bonnyrigg defence. McGeady and Henderson were seeing a fair bit of the ball with the former the subject of a few nippy challenges as the Bonnyrigg players tried to wind him up. A deep cross from the right found Henderson at the back post but his headed effort from close range flew over the bar. Newell too was prominent in the middle of the park, and it was interesting to see him break forward so often, possibly aware that Kenneh was in behind him to stifle any break away’s by the hosts.
In quick succession, shots from Cadden and McGeady hit defenders with the latter earning Hibs a corner. When that corner was delivered, Melkersen got a shot away, but it was well stopped by Weir and then fell to Doidge whose attempt met the same fate. Kevin Smith then caught Stevenson with a sore one, but referee McLean didn’t think it worthy of a caution. When Hibs won a free kick around twenty yards from goal a tap to Porteous allowed the big fella to get a shot away, but it was charged down.
Around five minutes from the interval the game was stopped due to a medical emergency in the crowd with both sets of medics from the respective benches rushing to the scene. It is hoped, of course, that the fan makes a full recovery.
Soon after the game was restarted, Hibs struck again when Henderson pounced on a loose ball in the Bonnyrigg box, skipped past a defender and fired the ball past Weir. It was a well taken goal with some fancy footwork from Henderson. Whether Hibs switched off or not I do not know but within a minute of scoring their second, they lost a quite stunning goal to Kevin Smith. A hopeful high punt from midfield caught Porteous on the wrong side of his man and that allowed Smith to lob a wonderful shot over the despairing arms of Marshall. The Bonnyrigg joy was short lived however as before the interval Newell jinked past a couple of defenders before confidently sliding the ball into the net beyond the reach of Weir.
There were no changes at half time and Hibs started in confident mood without really troubling Weir’s goal until ten minutes in when Doidge wheeled in the box and sent in a right footed shot which was blocked by a defender. Bonnyrigg were making changes and brought on McGachie, followed soon after by Turner and Gray. In truth the half was akin to the one against Clyde at Easter Road with not a lot of pace and power shown going forward and then another lengthy stop ensued when a second supporter needed medical attention. Once again both benches reacted quickly and once again, I hope the affected person makes a full recovery.
Perhaps Lee Johnson was getting impatient with his side as with around twenty minutes left, he made a quadruple change in bringing on Miller, McClelland, Campbell and Bojang to replace Cadden, Stevenson, Porteous and McGeady with both Campbell and debutant Bojang getting shots away, but the latter was being a tad ambitious by taking on Weir from about twenty five yards! Interestingly, Newell was moved to left back at that point but later in the half, Jacob Blaney came on and went to left back to release Newell to go forward. Soon after Bojang’s daisy cutter, Bushiri was booked for a challenge on McGachie with the massive frame of the Bonnyrigg man hitting the deck.
There would be nine minutes of additional time following the break for the spectator and a multitude of substitutions and in the first of those minutes, Bojang almost opened his account when he latched on to a wonderful through ball from Henderson, skipped past the keeper and sent a low shot goalwards. Unluckily for the Hibs man, a Rose defender was on hand to clear the effort off the line. I have to say I was very impressed with Bojang’s speed and calmness in that moment.
A few minutes after that, a surging run down the left by Melkersen allowed the Hibs man to pick out Newell wide on the left. Joe’s cut back reached Henderson who took the ball in, sidestepped a challenge and steered an effort into the far top corner to make it 4-1 and Hibs just cruised to the end after that.
All in all, a decent performance, if a bit dull in the second half, and that takes us forward to the game against Morton where a win with a few goals will help us although we are currently top of our section, but Falkirk have a game in hand, and they are only one point behind.
The players
Marshall – Hardly had much to do, was beaten by a stunning lob but still looked the calmest man on the park. His use of the ball is excellent, and it was noticeable that he’s a talker in keeping his defenders on their toes.
Cadden – I thought Chris was excellent in the first half, getting up and down the line well. His energy levels are admirable and though he took a sore one to the ankle he looked ok after treatment.
Bushiri – Rocky was fine today, and I thought he coped well with substitute McGachie who is a big old unit.
Porteous – Badly caught out for their goal by getting caught wrong side of their attacker.
Stevenson – Nothing special from Lewis today but he defended well enough.
Henderson – Despite going a bit quiet for a twenty minute spell in the second half I thought he was lively, inventive and took his goals well.
Kenneh – A couple of misplaced passes but I reckon he went about his work with a minimum of fuss. Him being there, in my view, allowed Newell time and space to get forward.
Newell – I know about the view he blows hot and cold, and I often agree with that but for me he was man of the match today and I just hope he uses this new found freedom in the weeks ahead.
McGeady – As I said earlier, their players tried oh so hard to wind him up, but he wasn’t biting. My own view is that he’s getting minutes and we’ll see him blossom in the weeks ahead.
Melkersen – Tireless worker who is a nightmare to defend against. His run in the lead up to the fourth, which by the way was in the 93rd minute, showcased both his hunger and his improved fitness.
Doidge – Christian got about the pitch well enough, but I was a tad disappointed with his failure to read front post crosses that might have led to him scoring.
Miller – Lewis looked a little more assured than he has done to date, and he’s obviously got great energy for getting up and down the wing.
Campbell – Plenty of running and looking for space.
McClelland – To me, he looked a bit shaky at times but did his part in stopping them scoring again.
Bojang – First look at him and he looks really pacy and eager to buzz about in the box.
Blaney – Jacob only got a few minutes in what I think was his first team debut.
Lee Johnson – Got the reaction he wanted after the Falkirk debacle.
Referee – Steven McLean had a quietish afternoon and got most of his decisions right.
It was the ideal start for Hibs and following good interplay on the left between McGeady, Newell and Henderson the ball made its way to Doidge just inside the Rose area. As the big striker was trying to take control of the ball, Stewart hacked him down and referee Steven McLean quickly pointed to the spot. Up stepped Aiden McGeady but from twelve yards he struck the ball wide of Weir’s left hand post. In the aftermath, Weir was booked for launching a verbal tirade at McGeady.
That miss seemed to knock Hibs off their stride a bit and though Marshall’s goal never looked under threat, Hibs were making heavy weather of breaking down a stuffy Bonnyrigg defence. McGeady and Henderson were seeing a fair bit of the ball with the former the subject of a few nippy challenges as the Bonnyrigg players tried to wind him up. A deep cross from the right found Henderson at the back post but his headed effort from close range flew over the bar. Newell too was prominent in the middle of the park, and it was interesting to see him break forward so often, possibly aware that Kenneh was in behind him to stifle any break away’s by the hosts.
In quick succession, shots from Cadden and McGeady hit defenders with the latter earning Hibs a corner. When that corner was delivered, Melkersen got a shot away, but it was well stopped by Weir and then fell to Doidge whose attempt met the same fate. Kevin Smith then caught Stevenson with a sore one, but referee McLean didn’t think it worthy of a caution. When Hibs won a free kick around twenty yards from goal a tap to Porteous allowed the big fella to get a shot away, but it was charged down.
Around five minutes from the interval the game was stopped due to a medical emergency in the crowd with both sets of medics from the respective benches rushing to the scene. It is hoped, of course, that the fan makes a full recovery.
Soon after the game was restarted, Hibs struck again when Henderson pounced on a loose ball in the Bonnyrigg box, skipped past a defender and fired the ball past Weir. It was a well taken goal with some fancy footwork from Henderson. Whether Hibs switched off or not I do not know but within a minute of scoring their second, they lost a quite stunning goal to Kevin Smith. A hopeful high punt from midfield caught Porteous on the wrong side of his man and that allowed Smith to lob a wonderful shot over the despairing arms of Marshall. The Bonnyrigg joy was short lived however as before the interval Newell jinked past a couple of defenders before confidently sliding the ball into the net beyond the reach of Weir.
There were no changes at half time and Hibs started in confident mood without really troubling Weir’s goal until ten minutes in when Doidge wheeled in the box and sent in a right footed shot which was blocked by a defender. Bonnyrigg were making changes and brought on McGachie, followed soon after by Turner and Gray. In truth the half was akin to the one against Clyde at Easter Road with not a lot of pace and power shown going forward and then another lengthy stop ensued when a second supporter needed medical attention. Once again both benches reacted quickly and once again, I hope the affected person makes a full recovery.
Perhaps Lee Johnson was getting impatient with his side as with around twenty minutes left, he made a quadruple change in bringing on Miller, McClelland, Campbell and Bojang to replace Cadden, Stevenson, Porteous and McGeady with both Campbell and debutant Bojang getting shots away, but the latter was being a tad ambitious by taking on Weir from about twenty five yards! Interestingly, Newell was moved to left back at that point but later in the half, Jacob Blaney came on and went to left back to release Newell to go forward. Soon after Bojang’s daisy cutter, Bushiri was booked for a challenge on McGachie with the massive frame of the Bonnyrigg man hitting the deck.
There would be nine minutes of additional time following the break for the spectator and a multitude of substitutions and in the first of those minutes, Bojang almost opened his account when he latched on to a wonderful through ball from Henderson, skipped past the keeper and sent a low shot goalwards. Unluckily for the Hibs man, a Rose defender was on hand to clear the effort off the line. I have to say I was very impressed with Bojang’s speed and calmness in that moment.
A few minutes after that, a surging run down the left by Melkersen allowed the Hibs man to pick out Newell wide on the left. Joe’s cut back reached Henderson who took the ball in, sidestepped a challenge and steered an effort into the far top corner to make it 4-1 and Hibs just cruised to the end after that.
All in all, a decent performance, if a bit dull in the second half, and that takes us forward to the game against Morton where a win with a few goals will help us although we are currently top of our section, but Falkirk have a game in hand, and they are only one point behind.
The players
Marshall – Hardly had much to do, was beaten by a stunning lob but still looked the calmest man on the park. His use of the ball is excellent, and it was noticeable that he’s a talker in keeping his defenders on their toes.
Cadden – I thought Chris was excellent in the first half, getting up and down the line well. His energy levels are admirable and though he took a sore one to the ankle he looked ok after treatment.
Bushiri – Rocky was fine today, and I thought he coped well with substitute McGachie who is a big old unit.
Porteous – Badly caught out for their goal by getting caught wrong side of their attacker.
Stevenson – Nothing special from Lewis today but he defended well enough.
Henderson – Despite going a bit quiet for a twenty minute spell in the second half I thought he was lively, inventive and took his goals well.
Kenneh – A couple of misplaced passes but I reckon he went about his work with a minimum of fuss. Him being there, in my view, allowed Newell time and space to get forward.
Newell – I know about the view he blows hot and cold, and I often agree with that but for me he was man of the match today and I just hope he uses this new found freedom in the weeks ahead.
McGeady – As I said earlier, their players tried oh so hard to wind him up, but he wasn’t biting. My own view is that he’s getting minutes and we’ll see him blossom in the weeks ahead.
Melkersen – Tireless worker who is a nightmare to defend against. His run in the lead up to the fourth, which by the way was in the 93rd minute, showcased both his hunger and his improved fitness.
Doidge – Christian got about the pitch well enough, but I was a tad disappointed with his failure to read front post crosses that might have led to him scoring.
Miller – Lewis looked a little more assured than he has done to date, and he’s obviously got great energy for getting up and down the wing.
Campbell – Plenty of running and looking for space.
McClelland – To me, he looked a bit shaky at times but did his part in stopping them scoring again.
Bojang – First look at him and he looks really pacy and eager to buzz about in the box.
Blaney – Jacob only got a few minutes in what I think was his first team debut.
Lee Johnson – Got the reaction he wanted after the Falkirk debacle.
Referee – Steven McLean had a quietish afternoon and got most of his decisions right.