Doyle-Hayes double gives Maloney a timely boost
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HAUN MALONEY was thrilled as two terrific goals from Jake Doyle-Hayes sealed an important victory for his Hibernian team over Ross County in Leith.
The home side struggled to create opportunities and the crowd were not shy about letting their frustration at their team’s meandering buildup play be known but two long-range strikes from DoyleHayes were enough to seal the three points for Hibs.
Clear-cut chances were hard to come by for either side and Maloney admitted his team could have offered a little more as they brought a six-match winless run in the league to an end.
“Parts of the first half were positive but it was in that last third, we can have a large part of possession but we have to then create chances,” Maloney said. “That was the message [at half time].
“We didn’t give up many chances so that was positive. But I think in that final third we needed to have that little bit more intent and the players showed that.
“There is still lots of work to do, I think we can be a lot better in possession, we can create more.
“The work never stops when you’re a coach. There were positives but today is not the day to stop, we need to keep pushing.”
The opening 45 minutes were anything but inspiring, with neither goalkeeper having much to do. County striker Jordan White latched on to a dinked through ball in behind Rocky Bushiri – the visitors’ favourite ploy and one that had mixed results – and took a rather theatrical tumble as Matt Macey came out to meet him. White wanted a penalty but was instead rewarded with a booking for simulation.
Hibs saw plenty of the ball but their build-up play was overly cautious. Too few risks were taken as they slowly advanced up the park, rarely breaking into the County box. The visitors were organised, gaps in their defence were hard to find and they were looking threatening on the break until Hibs took the lead on 53 minutes.
An initial delivery via a corner was cleared, as was a follow-up effort on goal, as the ball rolled invitingly into the path of Doyle-Hayes. The midfielder lashed it first time from 25 yards and although Ross Laidlaw got a palm to it, the pace on the ball carried it into the back of the net.
Malky Mackay believed the officials missed a clear foul moments before the opening goal when Harry Paton rushed out to block the shot but fell to the floor, with the County manager adamant that his player had been tripped.
“I think everyone saw it clear as day on the big screen from behind the goals – the angle straight on doesn’t see it but the minute it goes behind the goals, you see Bushiri just clipping Harry Paton’s heels as Paton goes to block the shot,” an exasperated Mackay said.
“I saw it from the dugout – why would Harry Paton just fall over? It was a huge decision to get wrong.”
The home side should have had a second 10 minutes later. Sylvester Jasper did well to win the ball back in
the County half and showed good awareness to pick out the run of Ewan Henderson, but the midfielder’s shot was parried behind. Ryan Porteous bulleted a header at goal from the resulting corner but Laidlaw was equal to it.
Doyle-Hayes grabbed his second goal of the afternoon around 10 minutes after his first with a magnificent strike. A cross was played to the midfielder 30 yards from goal and the Irishman chested to control before unleashing a venomous, dipping volley that flew into the top corner to wrap up the win for Maloney’s men.