Rose wilt under onslaught
AT least Bonnyrigg Rose got a goal. That it came from a penalty that should never have been awarded has to be glossed over and Dean Hoskins can say he scored against Hibernian at Tynecastle.
Aside from that, this was something of a doing. Neil Lennon’s side could easily have got into double figures.
In saying that, there are some down Leith way who carry so many Scottish Cup battle scars that they, despite what happened at Hampden last May, that they still expect untold disaster to eclipse any glory.
This tie was being played at the home of Hibs’ great rivals, the opposition a junior team from just down the road. It was their first match in their defence of the Scottish Cup, the winning of which for so long seemed as achievable as walking the air.
What could possibly go wrong? Nothing. Not this time.
“Regardless of who the opposition were, it was a good performance and good start to our defence of the cup,” said Hibs manager Neil Lennon.
“It was good for the players’ confidence and lot of guys got some game-time which they needed.
“It will have hopefully done them the world of good.
“We gave Bonnyrigg the respect they deserved. They beat Dumbarton in the last round, which is no mean feat, and it was a tie which was fraught with danger.
“We got a bit sloppy at 3-0 and allowed them to score. I had a few harsh words for the players at half-time but they went on to do good. I’m very pleased with how they approached the game.”
Lennon will find out today about the fitness of goalkeeper Ofir Marciano, who left the field in the first half after taking a boot to his back.
The rout began after 11 minutes when Andrew Shinnie picked up the ball from midfield, took a shot on goal from 20 yards and the ball slipped under Rose goalkeeper Michael Andrews.
It was 2-0 four minutes later. James Keatings was a long way from goal, but spotted that the chip was on, and delivered a perfect dink which ended in the back of the net.
After 24 minutes, Andrews got a hand to a Lewis Stevenson shot but could only push the ball in the path of Chris Humphrey who was in no mood to miss.
And then came the moment of the day. With 34 minutes gone, Bonnyrigg got themselves into the Hibs penalty area, Darren McGregor “clipped” the heels of Keiran McGachie who hit the turf and won a spot-kick.
It looked a dive but centre-half Hoskins stepped up and did not let down his supporters. Bonnyrigg had another shout before half-time when the ball rattled the arms of Grant Holt inside the box. It looked more of a penalty than the one awarded. The romance began and ended there.
Six minutes into the second half and Jason Cummings’ scissors kick from close range made it 4-1, Stevenson tapped home at the back post 10 minutes later and then Cummings for the sixth, an easy chance after Andrews made a good save to deny Holt.
Hibs fans had been chanting for a seventh, which came from Keatings, with the Bonnyrigg players utterly spent. The eight was no real surprise; Jordon Forster heading in from close range.
By this time those on the pitch with real jobs were desperate for the final whistle.
“We didn’t play to our potential but it was our bad luck that we came up against a Hibs side that played so well,” said Rose manager Robbie Horn, who admitted it could have been worse. He was right.