BINGE FESTIVAL
Lenny’s men feast on goals as they put on real show with Stokes the star turn
THIS year marks the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh Fringe.
But that wasn’t the only Festival in the Scottish capital last night as Anthony Stokes and Simon Murray took centre stage at Easter Road to ease Neil Lennon’s Hibs into the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.
The strike pair claimed star billing as Stokes scored a brace and Murray took his tally for the season to an incredible nine goals so far in an emphatic victory.
Stokes struck in 20 and 59 minutes, his first goals since his return to the club for a third spell while Murray, Efe Ambrose and substitute Deivydas Matulevicius helped Hibs reach five without reply.
A thrilled Lennon praised the performance of his players and will now turn his attentions to Saturday’s league trip to face Rangers at Ibrox.
The Easter Road boss said: “We are playing well and on paper that was a difficult game.
“We are playing with a real zest and I’m delighted with the goals, the shape of the team, the attitude of the players and the depth of the squad.
“We are in the quarter-finals which is the most important thing. Stokes and Murray dovetailed quite quickly which surprised me.
“Stokes showed some great touches and some of his play was quality. To score two goals and get an assist in his first start in a year says it all really and that is what he is here for.
“We are playing him in his right position and he will certainly cause teams problems when he is in that sort of mood.”
Next up for Lennon and Hibs is the league trip to Rangers and he said: “I haven’t given much thought to going back to Ibrox on Saturday.
“I watched Rangers at Motherwell and they got a great result. I haven’t been at Ibrox for a few years and I am looking forward to it – I always do.”
Lennon made three changes to the side that beat Partick Thistle. David Gray returned from a ban while Stokes and Ryan Porteous also started. Out went Steven Whittaker, Martin Boyle and Marvin Bartley.
Ayr had made a stunning start to the season, winning five out of five and rattling in 20 goals in the process. But boss Ian McCall had to do without influential pair Jamie Adams and Robbie Crawford with Michael Rose and Craig McGuffie coming in.
Hibs ought to have gone ahead in 12 minutes when Stokes’s cross to the back post saw Gray steaming in but he failed to connect.
It was no surprise when they did take the lead in 20 minutes. Danny Swanson’s corner was easily glanced home by Stokes from inside the six-yard box.
Minutes later Lewis Stevenson came to Hibs’ rescue when he charged down Declan McDaid’s goalbound shot from the edge of the area.
Stokes was clearly in the mood and whistled in a 25-yard effort that went inches past the top-left hand corner of the Ayr goal moments later.
McGuffie then danced his way around Gray and Ambrose before prodding in a drive that was mopped up by Porteous in 29 minutes.
Murray got in on the act in 30 minutes with his strike partner the architect. Stokes flicked a lovely reverse pass on the turn to send the him through on goal and he buried the ball from close range.
Stokes then curled another shot inches wide in 34 minutes following Swanson’s set-up.
Murray headed over the top when it looked easier to score from another cracking Stokes delivery and Gray slammed a shot high and wide of the United goal.
Ayr boss McCall made two changes at the break with Alan Forrest and David Ferguson replacing Craig Moore and McDaid.
Rose picked up the first yellow of the night for a scything challenge on Swanson in 48 minutes. Hibs were in cruise control now but caused their own problems in 53 minutes.
Ambrose sliced a clearance after some poor play in and around their box and Michael Moffat slammed the ball off Darren McGregor with the visiting support claiming a penalty kick for handball.
Referee Kevin Clancy rightfully waved away their hopeful appeals.
It was game, set and match in 59 minutes when Murray sent a delightful cross to the back post and Stokes dinked the deftest of finishes past United keeper Jordan Hart. Ferguson hammered in a low drive that was well held by Hibs keeper Ofir Marciano.
Ambrose made it 4-0 in 68 minutes when he tapped in from close range following a corner then treated the home support to his trademark cartwheel celebration.
Lithuanian striker Matulevicius was sent on for Dylan McGeouch with 15 minutes left as United lost Andy Geggan to injury with three changes already made. Stokes came within a whisker of a hat-trick but his drive was deflected wide of the target.
Hibs were not to be denied a fifth and in 85 minutes Matalevicius got his first goal for the club when he thudded the ball home from six yards.
United boss McCall said: “Playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men because Andy Geggan was injured was not ideal. They were out on their feet at the end.”