Jonnyboy
04-03-2023, 07:35 PM
A large and very vocal Hibs support turned out in their numbers to roar the team to an entertaining and deserved 4-1 win against a Livingston side that had taken the lead but couldn’t deal with a visiting side that caused them untold problems at the back. My brother and I had seats right next to Block 7 and although they were cramming into the stairways and bundling into us in the mayhem following the first two goals I still think they were amazing from start to finish, and even after the final whistle when the singing continued as the players came across to join in the celebrations.
In McGeady’s absence due to injury, Matthew Hoppe was drafted in to an otherwise unchanged line up. Included amongst the subs were the returning Nisbet and Kuharevich together with Mikey Devlin.
Following an impeccably observed minute of silence to mark the passing of Ron Gordon, Livi started the stronger and it was immediately obvious that Cabraja would have to deal with the threat of Joel Nouble who got in early to set a chance up for Nicky Devlin but the Livi full back had his shot charged down. A similar fate was the outcome of a Montero shot before Hibs crafted their first effort when Hanlon’s shot following a corner was easily saved by Shamal George in the Livi goal.
The hosts had decided they’d get some mileage from playing the ball over the top and in behind our back four and that ploy worked to good effect in the tenth minute when the impressive Morgan Boyes picked out Nouble. The big striker tied Cabraja in knots, strode into the penalty area and smashed a shot high into David Marshall’s net from a difficult angle. Nouble has been described on here at times as a ‘big huddy’ but I’ll tell you what he’s almost impossibly hard to take the ball off and he made his quick feet and body weight create the opportunity for the goal.
It took Hibs a wee while to recover from that blow as Livi continued with their high ball plan but thankfully Fish and Hanlon were up to the challenge whilst Cadden and Cabraja got help from our sitting midfielders of Jeggo and Egan-Riley. To be fair, Hibs continued to play through the thirds and on a couple of occasions were frustrated when Elie Youan lost possession by trying to be a bit too clever. Henderson came close after good work by Hoppe created a shooting chance but Ewan’s effort hit the top of the bar and flew over.
Some around me were giving Youan pelters but as the half hour mark approached, Will Fish fired a ball into space for Youan who ran in on goal and stroked the ball past the advancing George to level things up. Things were a tad physical at times but referee Chris Graham allowed the game to flow and if a player went down too easily he wasn’t being conned into awarding free kicks. At times, Livi were getting into decent positions but failed to really trouble David Marshall whilst at the other end just eight minutes after his first, Elie Youan worked a clever one-two with Matthew Hoppe before sclaffing a left footed shot into the far corner of the net from about ten yards.
In the midfield battle, Jason Holt and CJ Egan-Riley were in constant opposition and I’m not exaggerating when I say CJ won that duel handsomely, ensuring the Livi man trooped off at half time with his head well down.
Neither manager made changes at half time and Hibs started the half on the front foot. Just a few minutes in, a sublime ball from Ewan Henderson set Hoppe free to run in on goal but the big striker never looked totally in control of a bobbling ball and got too close to George before getting a shot away and that allowed the keeper to make a save. Less than five minutes later, Hoppe was again put through the middle but was fouled by Jack Fitzwater as he made to shoot and referee Chris Graham instantly produced a red card to reduce Livi to ten men. There was a bit of confusion when Graham placed the ball for the resultant free kick because it was a good ten yards from where the offence was committed. A clear and obvious error, corrected by the VAR official – I know, incredible wasn’t it given our recent record in VAR, or lack of, decisions! Eventually, Cabraja took the free kick, but his shot hit the wall, felling Morgan Boyes in the process.
On the hour mark there was an astonishing coming together of players on the shy line in front of the stand. Lots of jostling and the matter finally settled when the ref booked Montano who, I would guess was carded not for anything physical, more the fact that he launched a verbal tirade at the referee. Just a minute later, Hibs broke from defence when Youan played the ball out to Cadden on the right and with the Livi players straining to get back, Cadden looked up and tried to pick out the unmarked Youan for his hat trick. Instead, the retreating Omeonga stuck out a leg and diverted the ball past a stranded Shamal George.
There was still thirty minutes to play and in a commanding position, Hibs spent time retaining possession and trying to break when the chance arose and on one such occasion, the ball fell to Will Fish but he was miles off balance when he fired the ball high over the bar. With a two goal lead and a man advantage, Lee Johnson decided to bring Nisbet and Kuharevich on in place of Hoppe and Henderson with Livi making changes too in replacing Anderson, Pittman and Montano with Shinnie, Penrice and Bahamboula.
Referee Chris Graham was becoming a busy man as he flashed a few yellow cards with CJ Egan-Riley amongst those punished when he caught Obileye in a rash challenge as he stretched to try and retain possession of the ball. The Livi man limped off and was replaced De Lucas who arrived just in time to see first Kuharevich and then Hanlon getting headers on target but failing to beat the keeper. Kevin Nisbet was then booked for a foul on Omeonga and minutes later the former Hibs man had to leave the field thereby reducing Livi to nine men as they’d used all their substitutes. Around the same time, Lewis Miller replaced Egan-Riley who left the field to warm applause from the Hibs fans.
Bizarrely, with just nine men, Livi had probably their best spell in the game in terms of possession although they couldn’t use that to pose any real threat to the Hibs goal. Jeggo then found his name in the book for a foul on Nicky Devlin and from the resultant free kick, Andrew Shinnie got a shot away but the effort flew wide. Moving in to added time, which was considerable following the numerous stoppages, Oscar MacIntyre came on to relace Youan and arrived in time to see a fourth goal for Hibs by Kuharevich after George couldn’t hold a Nisbet effort. The goal was initially ruled out for offside against Nisbet but it was clearly wrong and after a few minutes of deliberation from the VAR official the goal was correctly allowed to stand. In that little window of time as the players hailed the fans at full time, I’m pretty sure I saw a red card being flashed at someone on the Livi bench and have since been told it was David Martindale although I’m unsure why he was mumping or indeed what he was mumping about.
The players
Marshall – I was surprised the Nouble effort beat him but in fairness it was fiercely struck and was probably moving at a pace the keeper found difficult to deal with.
Cadden – Took a wee while to get going and was caught upfield a few times but overall it was a decent performance.
Fish – Another wonderful performance from this young man who dealt with pretty much everything that came his way. Wins my man of the match award.
Hanlon – I thought he failed to react quickly to help Cabraja at the Nouble goal but otherwise had a decent game.
Cabraja – Nouble gave him a torrid time early in the game but to be fair he eventually, with a bit of help, got to grips with the Livi striker.
Egan-Riley – Is a quality addition and looks so at home in a midfield holding role. Impressively, he wasn’t held back by having Jason Holt in his back pocket.
Jeggo – Gets about the pitch, closes down routes and generally looks like he’s played in Scottish football all his life.
Henderson – Once again I was delighted to see him putting himself about as well as finding time to stroke a fair few classy passes.
Campbell – I was tempted to say a quiet afternoon from him but as I think back I recall his endless energy, willingness to run with and without the ball and formed an acquaintance with every inch of that horrendous playing surface.
Youan – Infuriates and entertains in equal measure at times. His finishing for the first goal was faultless even if he did sclaff the second.
Hoppe – Worked really hard and though he should have scored in his first one-on-one he was back again moments later to force a challenge from a defender that brought a red card.
Nisbet – Great to see him back and hungry he was really unlucky a couple of times when he found space in the box only for the awaited cross to be headed clear.
Kuharevich – Such has his luck been in the past with goals ruled out I was delighted to see that today’s counted.
Miller – Looks fit again and slotted in seamlessly.
MacIntyre – Oscar didn’t get many minutes, but he’ll be delighted that he featured in a 4-1 win.
Lee Johnson – Chuffed for him and loved his celebration at the end in front of a bouncing B7.
Referee – Chris Graham is a new name to me and though he made a couple of puzzling decisions, I thought he had a decent game.
In McGeady’s absence due to injury, Matthew Hoppe was drafted in to an otherwise unchanged line up. Included amongst the subs were the returning Nisbet and Kuharevich together with Mikey Devlin.
Following an impeccably observed minute of silence to mark the passing of Ron Gordon, Livi started the stronger and it was immediately obvious that Cabraja would have to deal with the threat of Joel Nouble who got in early to set a chance up for Nicky Devlin but the Livi full back had his shot charged down. A similar fate was the outcome of a Montero shot before Hibs crafted their first effort when Hanlon’s shot following a corner was easily saved by Shamal George in the Livi goal.
The hosts had decided they’d get some mileage from playing the ball over the top and in behind our back four and that ploy worked to good effect in the tenth minute when the impressive Morgan Boyes picked out Nouble. The big striker tied Cabraja in knots, strode into the penalty area and smashed a shot high into David Marshall’s net from a difficult angle. Nouble has been described on here at times as a ‘big huddy’ but I’ll tell you what he’s almost impossibly hard to take the ball off and he made his quick feet and body weight create the opportunity for the goal.
It took Hibs a wee while to recover from that blow as Livi continued with their high ball plan but thankfully Fish and Hanlon were up to the challenge whilst Cadden and Cabraja got help from our sitting midfielders of Jeggo and Egan-Riley. To be fair, Hibs continued to play through the thirds and on a couple of occasions were frustrated when Elie Youan lost possession by trying to be a bit too clever. Henderson came close after good work by Hoppe created a shooting chance but Ewan’s effort hit the top of the bar and flew over.
Some around me were giving Youan pelters but as the half hour mark approached, Will Fish fired a ball into space for Youan who ran in on goal and stroked the ball past the advancing George to level things up. Things were a tad physical at times but referee Chris Graham allowed the game to flow and if a player went down too easily he wasn’t being conned into awarding free kicks. At times, Livi were getting into decent positions but failed to really trouble David Marshall whilst at the other end just eight minutes after his first, Elie Youan worked a clever one-two with Matthew Hoppe before sclaffing a left footed shot into the far corner of the net from about ten yards.
In the midfield battle, Jason Holt and CJ Egan-Riley were in constant opposition and I’m not exaggerating when I say CJ won that duel handsomely, ensuring the Livi man trooped off at half time with his head well down.
Neither manager made changes at half time and Hibs started the half on the front foot. Just a few minutes in, a sublime ball from Ewan Henderson set Hoppe free to run in on goal but the big striker never looked totally in control of a bobbling ball and got too close to George before getting a shot away and that allowed the keeper to make a save. Less than five minutes later, Hoppe was again put through the middle but was fouled by Jack Fitzwater as he made to shoot and referee Chris Graham instantly produced a red card to reduce Livi to ten men. There was a bit of confusion when Graham placed the ball for the resultant free kick because it was a good ten yards from where the offence was committed. A clear and obvious error, corrected by the VAR official – I know, incredible wasn’t it given our recent record in VAR, or lack of, decisions! Eventually, Cabraja took the free kick, but his shot hit the wall, felling Morgan Boyes in the process.
On the hour mark there was an astonishing coming together of players on the shy line in front of the stand. Lots of jostling and the matter finally settled when the ref booked Montano who, I would guess was carded not for anything physical, more the fact that he launched a verbal tirade at the referee. Just a minute later, Hibs broke from defence when Youan played the ball out to Cadden on the right and with the Livi players straining to get back, Cadden looked up and tried to pick out the unmarked Youan for his hat trick. Instead, the retreating Omeonga stuck out a leg and diverted the ball past a stranded Shamal George.
There was still thirty minutes to play and in a commanding position, Hibs spent time retaining possession and trying to break when the chance arose and on one such occasion, the ball fell to Will Fish but he was miles off balance when he fired the ball high over the bar. With a two goal lead and a man advantage, Lee Johnson decided to bring Nisbet and Kuharevich on in place of Hoppe and Henderson with Livi making changes too in replacing Anderson, Pittman and Montano with Shinnie, Penrice and Bahamboula.
Referee Chris Graham was becoming a busy man as he flashed a few yellow cards with CJ Egan-Riley amongst those punished when he caught Obileye in a rash challenge as he stretched to try and retain possession of the ball. The Livi man limped off and was replaced De Lucas who arrived just in time to see first Kuharevich and then Hanlon getting headers on target but failing to beat the keeper. Kevin Nisbet was then booked for a foul on Omeonga and minutes later the former Hibs man had to leave the field thereby reducing Livi to nine men as they’d used all their substitutes. Around the same time, Lewis Miller replaced Egan-Riley who left the field to warm applause from the Hibs fans.
Bizarrely, with just nine men, Livi had probably their best spell in the game in terms of possession although they couldn’t use that to pose any real threat to the Hibs goal. Jeggo then found his name in the book for a foul on Nicky Devlin and from the resultant free kick, Andrew Shinnie got a shot away but the effort flew wide. Moving in to added time, which was considerable following the numerous stoppages, Oscar MacIntyre came on to relace Youan and arrived in time to see a fourth goal for Hibs by Kuharevich after George couldn’t hold a Nisbet effort. The goal was initially ruled out for offside against Nisbet but it was clearly wrong and after a few minutes of deliberation from the VAR official the goal was correctly allowed to stand. In that little window of time as the players hailed the fans at full time, I’m pretty sure I saw a red card being flashed at someone on the Livi bench and have since been told it was David Martindale although I’m unsure why he was mumping or indeed what he was mumping about.
The players
Marshall – I was surprised the Nouble effort beat him but in fairness it was fiercely struck and was probably moving at a pace the keeper found difficult to deal with.
Cadden – Took a wee while to get going and was caught upfield a few times but overall it was a decent performance.
Fish – Another wonderful performance from this young man who dealt with pretty much everything that came his way. Wins my man of the match award.
Hanlon – I thought he failed to react quickly to help Cabraja at the Nouble goal but otherwise had a decent game.
Cabraja – Nouble gave him a torrid time early in the game but to be fair he eventually, with a bit of help, got to grips with the Livi striker.
Egan-Riley – Is a quality addition and looks so at home in a midfield holding role. Impressively, he wasn’t held back by having Jason Holt in his back pocket.
Jeggo – Gets about the pitch, closes down routes and generally looks like he’s played in Scottish football all his life.
Henderson – Once again I was delighted to see him putting himself about as well as finding time to stroke a fair few classy passes.
Campbell – I was tempted to say a quiet afternoon from him but as I think back I recall his endless energy, willingness to run with and without the ball and formed an acquaintance with every inch of that horrendous playing surface.
Youan – Infuriates and entertains in equal measure at times. His finishing for the first goal was faultless even if he did sclaff the second.
Hoppe – Worked really hard and though he should have scored in his first one-on-one he was back again moments later to force a challenge from a defender that brought a red card.
Nisbet – Great to see him back and hungry he was really unlucky a couple of times when he found space in the box only for the awaited cross to be headed clear.
Kuharevich – Such has his luck been in the past with goals ruled out I was delighted to see that today’s counted.
Miller – Looks fit again and slotted in seamlessly.
MacIntyre – Oscar didn’t get many minutes, but he’ll be delighted that he featured in a 4-1 win.
Lee Johnson – Chuffed for him and loved his celebration at the end in front of a bouncing B7.
Referee – Chris Graham is a new name to me and though he made a couple of puzzling decisions, I thought he had a decent game.