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A hard fought victory
maintained our 100% league record in conditions that were far more of a
hindrance than a help. With several new faces after the cup
debacle Hibs started slowly and were soon behind to a penalty that owed as
much to the pitch than bad defending. After 2 missed clearances
the ball stuck in our box and Gricey upended their forward as he
glided across the puddle quicker. The kick was taken 3 yards off
centre due to the mini mud bath but dispatched with aplomb giving
John no chance.
The best parts of the pitch
were to be found on the wings and as we started using these avenues we
began to dominate. Paul ran endlessly for the cause and his pace
was causing Man U's defence problems. This led to the equaliser as
he was brought down a yard outside the area and Tony stepped up to curl
a left footer into the top corner. However delight turned to
despair minutes later for Tony as an innocuous enough challenge resulted
in his knee giving way again and it looks like it will end his career.
Repeated cruciate damage has left his knee too weak and I know
everyone will feel for him and wish him well in his recovery.
Half time came with Hibs on
top but conditions making clear cut opportunities few and far between.
The second half followed much the same pattern. Russell and
Adam found some early promise through the middle but the mud
stifled many off our best efforts. David displayed exquisite
control throughout but too often our final ball let us down. With
Mark replacing Tony and then Gricey and Paul making way for Al and
Grant early in the second half we had 3 players making their first
appearances of the season. It was Grant on his debut who secured
what could prove to be a very valuable 3 points with 10 minutes
remaining. David found room down the left flank and his inch
perfect cross was met at the back post by the diving Grant. This
brought tangible reward for a gutsy and hard working display and for
that everyone can be proud.
Rob impressed in the centre
of defence and Leon made a welcome return to give the defence a far more
solid look. John also graced the goal with his presence and we
never really looked like conceding after the early penalty. A good
3 points but it looks like we are going to have to get used to
playing in these conditions a bit earlier than usual.
Team: John Leslie, Rob Ruth,
Leon Ashford, Jim McPherson, Mark Grice (Al Harper), Russell
Stinson, Tony Lawlor (Mark Archer), Adam Pomaro, Neil Henty, Paul
Goodlad (Grant Ross), David Drysdale
Goals: Tony Lawlor, Grant
Ross
MOM: David Drysdale
Adam Pomaro
Kevin's
view of the game:
4 games played
4 games won, maximum league points.
They went ahead with a
dodgy penalty, we scored a beautiful free kick a la Tony Lawlor former
West Ham ( close friend of Quentin Fortunes) he then ripped his cruciate
ligaments in the most sick inducing tackle and was carried off - never to
play again:-((
Debut Hibby Grant Ross scored a goal akin to Trevor Francis in the
European final for Forest a while back and that was it 2-1. So that was a
stoatir in laymans terms. We actually had two Hibees up-front in David
Drysdale who was outstanding in the first half, but tired due to the awful
conditions and Grant Ross in the second half. In fact there have not been
so many Hibees since our glorious first year with Sir Ally Rennie and his
brother Les, along with Stu Donald, Tony Fryars, Junior Rogan, Dr Jackson,
John Ewan, the twin threat of the Mahedy's and any others that I've
missed, oh me and big
Scotty Drummond in goal.
This season we have:
John Leslie
Scot Drummond
Kevin Robertson
John Stevenson
David Drysdale
Grant Ross
Graeme Thompson (currently assistant manager to Scotland's World Cup Rugby
League Team)
Good to see so many fans there including Alan and Daddy Wilkieson - sorry
about the weather.
Things are going well all over for the mighty Hibees;-)
Kev
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