Easy does it as Hibs edge ever closer to last 16
HIBS are in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages after making light work of Arbroath last night. Manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his satisfaction after goals from Flo Kamberi, Scott Allan and substitute Fraser Murray put the Leith club two points clear at the top of Group C.
They will progress with a win in Friday’s televised clash at Elgin.
Heckingbottom said: ‘There were lots of things we did well, lots of things we didn’t do so well and which need to be better. The big difference was getting an early goal.
‘We could have scored umpteen and they had one effort on target.
‘in three games we’ve conceded three efforts on target, which is unbelievable. but it’s unbelievable that we’ve only scored six goals from the number we’ve created.’
Josh Vela was handed his debut in midfield less than a week after joining from bolton, while goalkeeper Chris Maxwell was given the nod ahead of Ofir Marciano.
Hibs striker Oli Shaw, who was linked with blackburn, Wigan and barnsley earlier in the day, had to be content with a cameo outing from the bench.
The visitors lined up with a defensive 4-5-1 formation with the idea of frustrating the top-flight side, just like Alloa did for 68 minutes on Saturday.
However, Arbroath’s game plan was thrown out of the window inside three minutes as Kamberi opened the scoring.
The Swiss ran on to Allan’s clever through ball and managed to squeeze a shot past Darren Jamieson from a tight angle.
The Leith side dominated the early stages but Maxwell was called upon after seven minutes to save bobby Linn’s fizzing free-kick from 20 yards.
At the other end, Stevie Mallan was allowed a sight at goal from outside the area but his powerful drive landed comfortably in the hands of Jamieson.
Other chances came and went, Martin boyle had a low half-volley saved by the visiting shot-stopper before Adam Jackson headed Joe Newell’s corner just over.
A last-ditch Sean Mackie tackle on Arbroath’s Mark Whatley inside the area reminded the hosts that danger lurked if they switched off.
but Hibs ended the half with a two-goal cushion. Allan coolly sent Jamieson the wrong way from the penalty spot after referee bobby Madden had spotted
Thomas O’brien’s foul on boyle. The Hibs winger was upended after crossing for Kamberi, who hit an overhead kick over the bar.
Hibs made a strong start to the second half but did little to improve on their chances-to-goals ratio.
A powerful Allan run on the counter from deep inside his own half ended with the midfielder dinking an effort just over.
Mallan’s drive from 40 yards was more ambitious but it still had Jamieson scrambling across to push the shot behind for a corner.
Jackson then had a header saved from a corner while Paul Hanlon nodded over from another Newell set-piece despite being unmarked.
Shaw thought he had added a third shortly after his arrival in the 78th minute, only for his joy to be cut short by the assistant referee’s offside flag.
The game opened up as Arbroath attempted to get back into the match but substitute Murray killed their hopes with a third.
The forward tucked away Daryl Horgan’s cross at the front post.
On reported interest in striker Shaw, Heckingbottom added: ‘What do you want me to say on it? The amount of stuff i read that’s rubbish. No one has spoken to me, whether it’s someone trying to drum up interest.
‘it’s down to him, he’s certainly come back in much better nick than what he finished the season in. We were really clear in what we wanted and it’s down to him to get into the team, there is a pathway there.’ Arbroath manager Dick Campbell said: ‘i’m disappointed but i’m not angry. You can’t play against teams and give the ball away like we did and not get hurt for it.
‘it was like watching a training game for Hibs.’ HIBERNIAN (4-1-4-1): Maxwell; James, Jackson, Hanlon, Mackie; Vela (Murray 59); Boyle (Horgan 78), Mallan, Allan, Newell (Shaw 78); Kamberi. Subs not used: Marciano, Doidge, McGregor, Whittaker. Booked: Mackie, Mallan, Newell.
ARBROATH (4-5-1): Jamieson; Thomson, Wilson, O’Brien, Hamilton; McKenna, Whatley (Kader 60), Gold, Murphy, Linn (Stewart 46); Doris (Spence 60). Subs not used: Gaston, Little, Swankie. Booked: McKenna, Murphy. Man of the match: Scott Allan. Referee: Bobby Madden. Attendance: 4,769.