New boys see Hibees ‘Doidge’ a banana skin
Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom was delighted to see new signings Christian Doidge and Tom James get off the mark in the 2-0 victory over Alloa after lamenting a “sloppy” first half.
A much-improved display following the interval ensured the Leith side collected three Betfred Cup Group C points.
Doidge broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a deft finish before James curled a sublime effort into the top corner with just six minutes remaining.
Heckingbottom had felt the need to take action at half-time with the introduction of Scott Allan and Fraser Murray and was satisfied with how his team ended the game.
He said: “We got there in the end. In the first half we were sloppy with the ball and I changed things at half-time as there were a couple of things I didn’t like – we had a tactical change of shape.
“With a team sitting in against you there is not much space and the shape we were playing played into their hands a bit. We had to get some width.
“When you look back, 20-odd efforts, 14, 15 on target and only two goals.
“It was pleasing seeing the new guys get goals, two good finishes.
“That will do them the world of good.
“Doidge will score goals. Sometimes we get in the trap of crossing everything for him because he’s good in the air but their two centre-backs handled him and got tight and the keeper did well with crosses, too.”
An illustration of the home fans’ frustrations was the fact that some booed the team off at the interval.
Hibs had started brightly but lacked poise at crucial moments.
Steven Whittaker hit a volley and header wide, before Flo Kamberi had a scuffed effort smothered by keeper Neil Parry.
The first real chance came after 14 minutes when Doidge was slipped through by the returning Matin Boyle but the striker’s low drive at the near post was blocked by Parry.
The Wasps keeper made a near identical save to deny Daryl Horgan before the visitors grew into the match..
Heckingbottom responded at the break with a double substitution, with Allan, who immediately brought out a save in Parry, and Murray replacing Josh Campbell and Kamberi.
There was more intensity about Hibs after the break as they sought the breakthrough goal.
But Parry was again well positioned to beat away a Doidge header and Whittaker drive.
Alloa’s stubborn resistance was finally broken in the 68th minute with a goal that was the epitome of simplicity.
Doidge raced between Scott Taggart and Andy Graham to get on the end of Murray’s long pass before lifting the ball over Parry, who was forced off after taking a whack to the head from the striker.
“Neil had a combination of injuries – his nose was bleeding and he has a scar on the top of his head,” said Alloa boss Peter Grant.
“The wound is too wide, so they are talking about him maybe needing plastic surgery and he went to hospital.”
With back-up goalkeeper Chris Henry called into action, Hibs wrapped up the victory six minutes from time when James angled a powerful drive high into the net after being teed up by Stevie Mallan.