Jonnyboy
01-10-2022, 06:32 PM
A variety of circumstances mean that my trips to away games this season will be few and far between so of course I wasn’t in Dingwall today. To compensate, I travelled to my brother’s house to watch on IPTV but due, I understand, to technical problems in the stadium, there was no coverage for the majority of the first half and annoyingly buffered coverage for the remainder of the game. With those facts in mind, I reckon all I can do is cobble together some views on what I did manage to see, but that won’t take long.
Firstly, it was great to see that so many Hibbies had made the journey and their presence was both noisy and supportive. From reading the official site match report it would seem that we dominated the bulk of the first half play with former Hibee Ross Laidlaw making a number of notable saves to keep his side in the hunt. Porto, Newell, Kukharevych and others tested the keeper whilst David Marshall made a fine and important save at the other end to prevent the hosts from taking a lead against the run of play.
The second half was barely a minute old when a long throw from Joe Newell caused panic in the home defence with the ball falling to Ryan Porteous who struck a sweet left footed shot into the far corner of the net. Hibs were more dominant than ever now with the front three causing County all sorts of problems and the hosts would be further troubled when Youan was replaced by the lively McKirdy. Soon after, County made a couple of changes and the new guys arrived in time to witness Campbell and Kukharevych having good efforts blocked. A quite sumptuous pass from Newell picked out Boyle in space on the right but Boyler’s first touch was poor and that allowed County to get back at him.
A free kick some twenty five yards from the County goal was being sized up by Porteous and Cabraja but when the latter named struck his shot the ball almost flew over the stand behind the goal. Marshall had had little to do but had to be on his toes when a Baldwin shot required ushering past the post before Hibs were on the front foot again and Campbell set up Kukharevych, but the big guy couldn’t test Laidlaw on this occasion.
Ten minutes from time, Martin Boyle doubled the Hibs lead when he pounced on a ball in the box and rifled his shot home between the legs of Laidlaw. Soon after, Kukharevych was replaced by Kyle Magennis who was greeted by a loud roar of approval from the travelling support. It was good to see him back in action after a very lengthy injury layoff. Next up, McKirdy released Boyle who raced towards goal before firing in a low shot which Laidlaw did well to turn around the post. Substitute Ewan Henderson then set Boyle up again, but Laidlaw was up to the task of preventing another goal against his side. In time added on, Boyle fed McKirdy, but the resultant shot was blocked, and the game was over.
The players – Obviously I can only comment on what I actually witnessed of the second half!
Marshall – Solid as a rock and surely the best keeper we’ve had at Hibs in many a long year.
Cadden – On one occasion I saw him win the ball and race away from the County man, showing huge desire to get us back into the final third.
Porteous – Carried on the sort of form that earned him rightful praise in the game against Ukraine. From what I witnessed myself and adding in his goal he’s my man of the match.
Hanlon – Comfortable and dealt with the muscle man Jordan White with very little difficulty.
Cabraja – Another who looked solid and carried on his fine form from the Aberdeen game.
Kenneh – Looking more and more assured with every game he plays.
Campbell – Endless energy and no little skill saw him dominate the likes of Callachan and Paton.
Boyle – Boyler was just Boyler, always trying to make things happen and he took his goal really well.
Newell – I’m convinced that Joe is benefitting from having Kenneh alongside him and it’s really encouraging to see him further up the park when the chance arises.
Youan – Only really saw about ten minutes from him so hard to offer a view.
Kukharevych – I really need to nail down the correct spelling of his name! A very good central striker who links well and can hold the ball up when needed.
McKirdy – Lively and not afraid to ‘share his views’ with team mates.
Magennis – As I said earlier, great to see him back and fit.
Henderson – Only got a few minutes at the end.
Lee Johnson – What did he get booked for, I wonder? It seems he was happy with his charges and rightly so.
Referee – Alan Muir seemed to book a few and yet only one yellow is shown on the BBC match report.
Firstly, it was great to see that so many Hibbies had made the journey and their presence was both noisy and supportive. From reading the official site match report it would seem that we dominated the bulk of the first half play with former Hibee Ross Laidlaw making a number of notable saves to keep his side in the hunt. Porto, Newell, Kukharevych and others tested the keeper whilst David Marshall made a fine and important save at the other end to prevent the hosts from taking a lead against the run of play.
The second half was barely a minute old when a long throw from Joe Newell caused panic in the home defence with the ball falling to Ryan Porteous who struck a sweet left footed shot into the far corner of the net. Hibs were more dominant than ever now with the front three causing County all sorts of problems and the hosts would be further troubled when Youan was replaced by the lively McKirdy. Soon after, County made a couple of changes and the new guys arrived in time to witness Campbell and Kukharevych having good efforts blocked. A quite sumptuous pass from Newell picked out Boyle in space on the right but Boyler’s first touch was poor and that allowed County to get back at him.
A free kick some twenty five yards from the County goal was being sized up by Porteous and Cabraja but when the latter named struck his shot the ball almost flew over the stand behind the goal. Marshall had had little to do but had to be on his toes when a Baldwin shot required ushering past the post before Hibs were on the front foot again and Campbell set up Kukharevych, but the big guy couldn’t test Laidlaw on this occasion.
Ten minutes from time, Martin Boyle doubled the Hibs lead when he pounced on a ball in the box and rifled his shot home between the legs of Laidlaw. Soon after, Kukharevych was replaced by Kyle Magennis who was greeted by a loud roar of approval from the travelling support. It was good to see him back in action after a very lengthy injury layoff. Next up, McKirdy released Boyle who raced towards goal before firing in a low shot which Laidlaw did well to turn around the post. Substitute Ewan Henderson then set Boyle up again, but Laidlaw was up to the task of preventing another goal against his side. In time added on, Boyle fed McKirdy, but the resultant shot was blocked, and the game was over.
The players – Obviously I can only comment on what I actually witnessed of the second half!
Marshall – Solid as a rock and surely the best keeper we’ve had at Hibs in many a long year.
Cadden – On one occasion I saw him win the ball and race away from the County man, showing huge desire to get us back into the final third.
Porteous – Carried on the sort of form that earned him rightful praise in the game against Ukraine. From what I witnessed myself and adding in his goal he’s my man of the match.
Hanlon – Comfortable and dealt with the muscle man Jordan White with very little difficulty.
Cabraja – Another who looked solid and carried on his fine form from the Aberdeen game.
Kenneh – Looking more and more assured with every game he plays.
Campbell – Endless energy and no little skill saw him dominate the likes of Callachan and Paton.
Boyle – Boyler was just Boyler, always trying to make things happen and he took his goal really well.
Newell – I’m convinced that Joe is benefitting from having Kenneh alongside him and it’s really encouraging to see him further up the park when the chance arises.
Youan – Only really saw about ten minutes from him so hard to offer a view.
Kukharevych – I really need to nail down the correct spelling of his name! A very good central striker who links well and can hold the ball up when needed.
McKirdy – Lively and not afraid to ‘share his views’ with team mates.
Magennis – As I said earlier, great to see him back and fit.
Henderson – Only got a few minutes at the end.
Lee Johnson – What did he get booked for, I wonder? It seems he was happy with his charges and rightly so.
Referee – Alan Muir seemed to book a few and yet only one yellow is shown on the BBC match report.