Queen of the South 1-3 Hibernian: Doidge delivers cup double
Christian Doidge scored a clinical double as Hibs saw off Queen of the South in chilly Dumfries with the minimum of fuss to set up a Scottish Cup fourthround tie with Stranraer. After a sticky opening, perhaps hindered by rust having not played in a couple of weeks, Hibs took control.
Doidge slotted the opener on the stroke of half-time, and clipped home the second 12 minutes into the second half. Martin Boyle wrapped up the win with a clinical, dinked finish three minutes later.
It could have been more, but James Maxwell netted a terrific solo consolation goal for Queens.
"It was a game of two halves, I think,” said man of the match Doidge. “The goal before halftime really helped us. It was a difficult first half.
"As soon as we started passing the ball about we managed to control the game a bit.”
Boyle added: “Stranraer is another tricky tie. They’ll be wanting to cause a cup upset, but hopefully we can produce the same result."
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1
Maxwell 81
HIBERNIAN 3
Doidge 42, 67, Boyle 70
There was a shock as well as snow in the air at Palmerston Park but a goal just before halftime from Christian Doidge, the first of a double, settled Hibs.
The striker is known for his ‘streaky’ scoring spells. Could this be another one starting at the just the right time, in terms of his international as well as club ambitions?
Wales might appear able to resist his ability, but Hibs can’t if they are to achieve all they wish for in both the Scottish Cup and league. He scored after a 15-game drought to earn a point against Livingston in Hibs’ previous game and then set his side on their way here with a goal four minutes before half-time. He scored again after 67 minutes following a quick breakaway to put Queens’ hopes in serious jeopardy. Martin Boyle confirmed there was no way back for the hosts two minutes later with a neat finish.
The win earns Hibs a quick return to Dumfries and Galloway in the last 16. Stranraer will host Hibs in possibly more clement weather – though the League 2 side might prefer that the conditions prove as inhospitable as possible.
Hibs coped with everything they faced here, including some snow showers and often bright play from Queens. Doidge earned the headlines but Matt Macey, the goalkeeper making only his third Hibs appearance in place of the
rested Ofir Marciano, pulled off a fine save to deny Connor Shields.
It was a defining moment because a couple of minutes later Hibs pulled further ahead with Doidge’s second of the night. There was some controversy involved. Stephen Dobbie fell in the Hibs box under a challenge from Joe Newell. With the Queens skipper still appealing to Willie Collum for a penalty, Newell sped off and fed Doidge.
The striker expertly drew Rohan Ferguson before slotting home. The Welsh striker came close to getting a hattrick when a header hit the post before he was replaced with five minutes left.
He will acknowledge that his opener was as much a product of the impressive Josh Doig’s persistence as anything else after he refused to give up on an over-hit through ball from Alex Gogic and managed to win a corner. Boyle’s corner sparked chaos in the box and Doidge pounced on Gogic’s blocked shot and swept the ball past Ferguson from the edge of the six-yard box.
Doig gave Hibs impetus from left wingback and might also have scored early in the second half when his volley skipped just past the post. Another volley flew narrowly over.
On-loan Rangers left-back James Maxwell did score a fine solo goal for Queens after nutmegging Paul Hanlon with nine minutes left. Rhys Mccabe also hit the bar with a freekick a minute before the break. Queen of the South: Ferguson, Gibson, Buchanan, Breen, Maxwell, Obileye, Joseph (Jones 56), Mccabe, Dickson, Shields (Mebude 76), Dobbie (Mckee 77). Subs not used: Leighfield, Fitzpatrick, Goss, Mcgorry, East, Mcmahon.
Hibernian: Macey, Mcginn, Porteous, Hanlon, Newell, Boyle (Cadden 78), Gogic, Irvine (Magennis 75), Doig, Nisbet, Doidge (Wright 86). Subs not used:
Gray, Stevenson, Hallberg, Dabrowski, Mcgregor, Bradley.
Referee: Willie Collum