Jonnyboy
20-08-2023, 05:49 PM
Team selection was always going to provide a talking point for the visit of Raith Rovers in the ViaPlay Cup with some suggesting a substantial Development Squad input, meaning ‘old and young’ and others going with mainly established and recognised first team players. As it turned out, the latter was the case with only Megwa and to an extent Harbottle in the starting eleven. Rovers brought an impressive and noisy support as well as having a handful of former Hibs players in their squad.
Hibs started brightly and forced an early corner, but the resultant cross was headed clear by Keith Watson. The visitors, perhaps a little nervous, sat back and allowed Hibs possession and that almost cost them as a decent strike from Le Fondre was diverted wide at the last moment.
Slowly, Rovers settled into the game and were playing a decent brand of passing football whilst Hibs looked a bit disjointed in their formation which had Boyle wide left and Youan wide right. Too often, those speed merchants were in space, but the midfield laboured in trying to pick them out with Jeggo and Campbell the main culprits. Around the quarter hour, Marshall had his first save to make when Cammy Smith fired straight at him whilst at the other end, Le Fondre tried an audacious first time volley that cleared the bar by some distance.
A few meaty challenges had referee Nick Walsh uttering words of warning but on twenty five minutes he’d seen one too many and punished Megwa with a yellow for a crude challenge on Lewis Vaughan.
There was unrest in the home stands as Raith players seemed to be falling over easily and often and then taking as much time out of the game that they could as a result. Ironically, the next break in play came about because Byrne’s aggressive challenge on Megwa resulted in treatment for the Hibs man and a yellow for the aggressor. The slowing of the game by the visitors was not so much to waste time rather an attempt to stop Hibs from settling into any kind of a rhythm.
A Paul Hanlon header beat Dabrowski but a defender on the line headed the ball over the bar. It was the closest to a goal being scored so far. In another incident, Doidge was clearly pushed in the back inside the box, but referee Nick Walsh waved all protests away. When the half time whistle blew, 0-0 was pretty much a fair result on the play so far.
Josh Campbell was replaced by Joe Newell at half time and that was not really a surprise as Josh was very poor although the man to make way for Joe could equally have been Jimmy Jeggo as his performance was no better than Campbell’s. The introduction of Newell offered some purpose to a midfield that had created next to nothing in the first half. Hibs were now on the front foot and Hanlon was unlucky when yet another header from a Newell corner looked net bound until it was blocked.
Elie Youan had been pretty anonymous and often drew howls of frustration from the stands for taking the wrong option or trying to beat his man several times before losing possession but that’s what you get from Elie, and he almost redeemed himself with a shimmy and shot but the ball cleared the bar. At the other end, a Lewis Vaughan shot failed to really test Marshall whose quick distribution helped to deliver the ball to the other end where Boyle tested Dabrowski with a snap shot.
When Cammy Smith fouled Obita wide on the left, the resultant free kick led to a corner which, taken by Newell, found Youan inside the Raith six yard box and able to head the ball past Dabrowski for the opening goal. That Newell corner was one of several that troubled ex Hibs keeper Dabrowski. Two minutes later, Le Fondre’ effort was on target, but the ball was diverted at the expense of a corner. At that point, Lee Johnson decided to replace Boyle and Megwa with Stevenson and Miller. Stevenson’s arrival pushed Obita further forward to play the position vacated by Boyle whilst Miller took over at right back. As he left the field, Megwa received a fine ovation as he had played very well and never really looked out of place amongst more seasoned team mates.
Slack play in midfield by Le Fondre resulted in Hibs losing possession and being vulnerable at the back. It proved a costly mistake as the visitors swarmed forward allowing Vaughan to set up Cammy Smith inside the Hibs box. The Rovers man saw Marshall advancing towards him but cooly slotted the ball past the diving keeper to make it 1-1. In my honest opinion, the visitors deserved to be level but their joy at being so evaporated sixty seconds later when Youan jinked clear on the right before sliding the ball to Vente, newly on for Le Fondre, and the Dutchman fired past Dabrowski to restore the Hibs lead. Once again, we had witnessed the worst and best from Elie in the same ninety minutes. He frustrates like mad, but I’ll say this for him if he scores one and assists for another every game his ability to frustrate will be forgiven.
With fifteen minutes left, the Rovers boss Ian Murray brought on two strikers in Hamilton and ex-Hibee Gullan to replace Vaughan and Brown. Clearly, he felt Rovers were still very much in the tie and indeed they were as they continued to play a decent passing game when moving the ball towards the Hibs goal. After a Youan shot had been easily saved, Hibs replaced Hanlon with Fish and the newcomer slotted in at left centre back.
The visitors were trying hard to get that equaliser and a couple of crucial blocks by Fish and Miller helped preserve Hibs’ lead before Stanton was booked for hacking down a marauding Elie Youan, the Rovers man clearly annoyed that he couldn’t get close enough to tackle legally. The game then moved into time added on and after four of the five minutes indicated, Liam Dick’s high boot caught Vente flush in the face. Nick Walsh first examined the damage and then showed the Raith man a straight red card. It was dangerous play but more accidental than intentional but the end result for Hibs was that Vente had to leave the field with what could be a nasty facial wound, causing concern regarding his availability for the Villa game in midweek.
The players
Marshall – Some may feel he could have done better for the goal but that’s debatable. My biggest gripe with him today was his refusal to come and collect the ball when it would be easy to do so. In not doing that he causes real problems for the defender trying to hold off an opponent.
Megwa – A fine performance from the youngster who may not be the tallest, but he times his jump well and he has no fear in dealing with aggressive opponents.
Harbottle – Didn’t do much wrong and looked composed enough in possession.
Hanlon – I’m surprised Paul played given the schedule of games he’s had of late. Was found wanting a couple of times and I’m putting that down to tiredness, both physical and mental.
Obita – I’m yet to be convinced by Jordan. He has a good physique but gets bumped off the ball too often. Add in a serious lack of pace and it’s a worry going forward.
Youan – There were times when I felt like stringing him up but there were also times when I wanted to chant his name in appreciation. At the end of the day, a goal and an assist is not to be sniffed at.
Jeggo – I’ve spoken up for him in the past as I thought he did the covering of the back four well but in that midfield he’s not for me as his passing ability leaves a lot to be desired.
Campbell – I’ve long been a fan of Josh and his goals and assist stats last season were impressive, but he looks like his form/confidence has fallen off a cliff and I wasn’t surprised he only lasted 45 minutes.
Boyle – Clearly still not 100% I was happy to see that he is still willing to run at defenders and equally happy to go into a physical challenge for the ball.
Le Fondre – His usual willingness to run and run together with his ability to draw a foul from defenders endears me to the guy.
Doidge – Worked his socks off as usual and must get frustrated when his headed flick-on’s are not anticipated by his team mates.
Newell – It’s like Joe has a new lease of life. He’s been here for years and yet it’s only just become apparent he has a long throw, and he can dribble past numerous opponents! Only played the second half but gets my man of the match award.
Stevenson – That left back area looked so much more assured after he took over from Obita.
Miller – Slowly but surely coming on with his game at right back.
Vente – Took his goal well, displayed his willingness to work hard and the more minutes he gets the better he will become. Fingers crossed his injury is not anything that will prevent him playing.
Fish – Slotted in well enough at left centre back.
Nick Walsh – Some bizarre decisions but that’s the norm for him.
Lee Johnson – Arguably got the balance right ahead of Wednesday night’s blockbuster of a tie.
Hibs started brightly and forced an early corner, but the resultant cross was headed clear by Keith Watson. The visitors, perhaps a little nervous, sat back and allowed Hibs possession and that almost cost them as a decent strike from Le Fondre was diverted wide at the last moment.
Slowly, Rovers settled into the game and were playing a decent brand of passing football whilst Hibs looked a bit disjointed in their formation which had Boyle wide left and Youan wide right. Too often, those speed merchants were in space, but the midfield laboured in trying to pick them out with Jeggo and Campbell the main culprits. Around the quarter hour, Marshall had his first save to make when Cammy Smith fired straight at him whilst at the other end, Le Fondre tried an audacious first time volley that cleared the bar by some distance.
A few meaty challenges had referee Nick Walsh uttering words of warning but on twenty five minutes he’d seen one too many and punished Megwa with a yellow for a crude challenge on Lewis Vaughan.
There was unrest in the home stands as Raith players seemed to be falling over easily and often and then taking as much time out of the game that they could as a result. Ironically, the next break in play came about because Byrne’s aggressive challenge on Megwa resulted in treatment for the Hibs man and a yellow for the aggressor. The slowing of the game by the visitors was not so much to waste time rather an attempt to stop Hibs from settling into any kind of a rhythm.
A Paul Hanlon header beat Dabrowski but a defender on the line headed the ball over the bar. It was the closest to a goal being scored so far. In another incident, Doidge was clearly pushed in the back inside the box, but referee Nick Walsh waved all protests away. When the half time whistle blew, 0-0 was pretty much a fair result on the play so far.
Josh Campbell was replaced by Joe Newell at half time and that was not really a surprise as Josh was very poor although the man to make way for Joe could equally have been Jimmy Jeggo as his performance was no better than Campbell’s. The introduction of Newell offered some purpose to a midfield that had created next to nothing in the first half. Hibs were now on the front foot and Hanlon was unlucky when yet another header from a Newell corner looked net bound until it was blocked.
Elie Youan had been pretty anonymous and often drew howls of frustration from the stands for taking the wrong option or trying to beat his man several times before losing possession but that’s what you get from Elie, and he almost redeemed himself with a shimmy and shot but the ball cleared the bar. At the other end, a Lewis Vaughan shot failed to really test Marshall whose quick distribution helped to deliver the ball to the other end where Boyle tested Dabrowski with a snap shot.
When Cammy Smith fouled Obita wide on the left, the resultant free kick led to a corner which, taken by Newell, found Youan inside the Raith six yard box and able to head the ball past Dabrowski for the opening goal. That Newell corner was one of several that troubled ex Hibs keeper Dabrowski. Two minutes later, Le Fondre’ effort was on target, but the ball was diverted at the expense of a corner. At that point, Lee Johnson decided to replace Boyle and Megwa with Stevenson and Miller. Stevenson’s arrival pushed Obita further forward to play the position vacated by Boyle whilst Miller took over at right back. As he left the field, Megwa received a fine ovation as he had played very well and never really looked out of place amongst more seasoned team mates.
Slack play in midfield by Le Fondre resulted in Hibs losing possession and being vulnerable at the back. It proved a costly mistake as the visitors swarmed forward allowing Vaughan to set up Cammy Smith inside the Hibs box. The Rovers man saw Marshall advancing towards him but cooly slotted the ball past the diving keeper to make it 1-1. In my honest opinion, the visitors deserved to be level but their joy at being so evaporated sixty seconds later when Youan jinked clear on the right before sliding the ball to Vente, newly on for Le Fondre, and the Dutchman fired past Dabrowski to restore the Hibs lead. Once again, we had witnessed the worst and best from Elie in the same ninety minutes. He frustrates like mad, but I’ll say this for him if he scores one and assists for another every game his ability to frustrate will be forgiven.
With fifteen minutes left, the Rovers boss Ian Murray brought on two strikers in Hamilton and ex-Hibee Gullan to replace Vaughan and Brown. Clearly, he felt Rovers were still very much in the tie and indeed they were as they continued to play a decent passing game when moving the ball towards the Hibs goal. After a Youan shot had been easily saved, Hibs replaced Hanlon with Fish and the newcomer slotted in at left centre back.
The visitors were trying hard to get that equaliser and a couple of crucial blocks by Fish and Miller helped preserve Hibs’ lead before Stanton was booked for hacking down a marauding Elie Youan, the Rovers man clearly annoyed that he couldn’t get close enough to tackle legally. The game then moved into time added on and after four of the five minutes indicated, Liam Dick’s high boot caught Vente flush in the face. Nick Walsh first examined the damage and then showed the Raith man a straight red card. It was dangerous play but more accidental than intentional but the end result for Hibs was that Vente had to leave the field with what could be a nasty facial wound, causing concern regarding his availability for the Villa game in midweek.
The players
Marshall – Some may feel he could have done better for the goal but that’s debatable. My biggest gripe with him today was his refusal to come and collect the ball when it would be easy to do so. In not doing that he causes real problems for the defender trying to hold off an opponent.
Megwa – A fine performance from the youngster who may not be the tallest, but he times his jump well and he has no fear in dealing with aggressive opponents.
Harbottle – Didn’t do much wrong and looked composed enough in possession.
Hanlon – I’m surprised Paul played given the schedule of games he’s had of late. Was found wanting a couple of times and I’m putting that down to tiredness, both physical and mental.
Obita – I’m yet to be convinced by Jordan. He has a good physique but gets bumped off the ball too often. Add in a serious lack of pace and it’s a worry going forward.
Youan – There were times when I felt like stringing him up but there were also times when I wanted to chant his name in appreciation. At the end of the day, a goal and an assist is not to be sniffed at.
Jeggo – I’ve spoken up for him in the past as I thought he did the covering of the back four well but in that midfield he’s not for me as his passing ability leaves a lot to be desired.
Campbell – I’ve long been a fan of Josh and his goals and assist stats last season were impressive, but he looks like his form/confidence has fallen off a cliff and I wasn’t surprised he only lasted 45 minutes.
Boyle – Clearly still not 100% I was happy to see that he is still willing to run at defenders and equally happy to go into a physical challenge for the ball.
Le Fondre – His usual willingness to run and run together with his ability to draw a foul from defenders endears me to the guy.
Doidge – Worked his socks off as usual and must get frustrated when his headed flick-on’s are not anticipated by his team mates.
Newell – It’s like Joe has a new lease of life. He’s been here for years and yet it’s only just become apparent he has a long throw, and he can dribble past numerous opponents! Only played the second half but gets my man of the match award.
Stevenson – That left back area looked so much more assured after he took over from Obita.
Miller – Slowly but surely coming on with his game at right back.
Vente – Took his goal well, displayed his willingness to work hard and the more minutes he gets the better he will become. Fingers crossed his injury is not anything that will prevent him playing.
Fish – Slotted in well enough at left centre back.
Nick Walsh – Some bizarre decisions but that’s the norm for him.
Lee Johnson – Arguably got the balance right ahead of Wednesday night’s blockbuster of a tie.