The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Lichties still in hunt despite defeat
HIBERNIAN 3 ARBROATH 0
Arbroath were knocked off the top of Group C last night as Hibs eased to a 3-0 win at Easter Road.
Florian Kamberi, Scott Allan and Fraser Murray scored the goals to hand Dick Campbell’s side a first defeat in the group stage.
The Lichties can still progress, though, with a win over Alloa at the weekend keeping them in with a chance of at least being among the best-second placed sides.
With Josh Vela making his Hibs debut in midfield among six changes made by head coach Heckingbottom, the hosts broke the deadlock in the third minute.
Kamberi raced on to Allan’s ball inside the area and beat Arbroath goalkeeper Darren Jamieson from a tight angle.
With the exception of a Bobby Linn free-kick that Hibs goalkeeper Chris Maxwell got behind, it was the Premiership side who were causing all the problems.
Lichties goalkeeper Jamieson was well positioned to get behind a Stevie Mallan drive and Martin Boyle halfvolley, both efforts coming from outside the area, while Adam Jackson headed just over from Joe Newell’s deep corner.
The second goal finally came a minute before the break after Allan found the net from the penalty spot.
Referee Bobby Madden initially allowed play to continue when Boyle was taken out by Thomas O’Brien after crossing for Kamberi, who had struck an overhead kick just over.
Hibs continued to press after the break but Jackson had a header saved by Jamieson before Paul Hanlon nodded over when he should have scored.
However, the third finally arrived when Murray tucked away Daryl Horgan’s cross at the front post. Attendance: 4,769.
Hibernian: Maxwell, James, Jackson, Hanlon, Mackie, Vela (Fraser Murray 59), Boyle (Horgan 78), Mallan, Allan, Newell (Shaw 78), Kamberi. Subs not used: Marciano, Whittaker, Doidge, McGregor.
Arbroath: Jamieson, Thomson, Wilson, O’Brien, Hamilton, McKenna, Whatley (Kader 60), Gold, Linn (Stewart 46), Doris (Spence 60), Murphy. Subs not used: Swankie, Gaston, Little.