Generous to a fault
CHAMPIONSHIP East End Park side do their bit to help as Lennon’s men struggle to find the net. Darren Johnstone reports
HIBERNIAN were grateful recipients of Dunfermline’s generosity at Easter Road, with Ben RichardsEverton’s own goal gifting the hosts the lead before a dreadful error from returning Pars defender Callum Fordyce handed Jason Cummings the winner on a plate.
In-between, on-loan Hearts striker Gavin Reilly levelled for the Fife outfit, who were aggrieved they did not leave with at least a point for their efforts.
Hibs head coach Neil Lennon had been fiercely critical of both his defence and attack in the midweek Betfred Cup defeat to Queen of the South.
Even though they passed up more chances to put themselves in a commanding position before the break yesterday, the former Celtic manager was pleased with both the performance and, more so, the victory.
“We had umpteen chances on goal, we could have been two or three up at half-time,” said Lennon, who confirmed he is trying to recruit Scotland cap Andrew Shinnie on loan from Birmingham City.
“We switched off, they scored a very good goal and for five minutes we wobbled. We have to learn to manage that better, good players making basic errors for no reason. It’s just the psychology of the game. After that they settled and we looked all right again, and scored a great goal. I’m very happy, it’s not easy in this league but that’s two wins out of two so I’ve got to be very pleased.”
Hibs opened the scoring in the 22nd minute in front of 16,477 fans inside Easter Road, albeit they had to rely on Richards-Everton’s own goal.
Paul Hanlon played the ball back into the mix when Darren McGregor’s header from James Keatings’ corner was cleared off the line by Joe Cardle, and the back-tracking defender’s header looped beyond David Hutton.
Hibs turned the screw after going in front, but a second goal proved elusive. A Cummings header came back off the post, and Hanlon and John McGinn also went tantalisingly close. After GrantHolt passed up another good chance after the break, Dunfermline levelled in the 58th minute.
Cardle was the architect, spinning away from Liam Fontaine outside the box before threading a pass through for his team-mate.
Reilly coolly planted a low shot past Ross Laidlaw to spark wild scenes among the away fans behind the goal.
The game was in the balance at this stage as the teams traded blows, but Cummings notched the winner in the 78th minute. Fordyce made a complete mess of his attempt to clear substitute Martin Boyle’s low cross and Cummings was on hand to tap in. Despite the defeat, Pars manager Allan Johnston was encouraged by his team’s display.
“Hibs are the favourites to win the league along with Dundee United,” he said. “So to put in a performance like that against a top team is good, and if we keep doing that then you are not going to be far away from the top of the table.”