Hibs’ under-20s extended their unbeaten run in the SPFL U20 League to four matches with 1-1 draw against Dundee United under-20s at Airdrie yesterday.
Head of Academy coaching James McDonaugh included first team squad players Kevin Thomson, Abdellah Zoubir, Jason Cummings and Daniel Boateng in his starting XI.
Thomson has been sidelined for several weeks due to injury and was rumoured to be out of favour at Easter Road however he has always insisted that he wants to regain his first team place.
The game was moved to Airdrie from Livingston at the last minute and Dundee United took the lead against the run of play midway through the first half through Connolly
From the kick off, Zoubir dribbled from the halfway line and forced United keeper Phil Anderson into a fine save.
Hibs eventually equalised in the 49th minute when former Spurs youth team player Tom Gardiner connected with Baptie’s corner and his header was knocked into the net by Zoubir.
Jason Cummings who has just been called up for the Scotland Under 19s then went close twice before Zoubir and Jamie Beaton both had efforts on goal blocked.
With two minutes remaining Euan Smith was brought down on the edge of the box after a strong run and the referee eventually gave a penalty after consulting with his linesman.
Left back Ryan Baptie took the spot kick but shot high and wide, then with seconds remaining, a Thomson effort was blocked en route to goal by his own team-mate, Cummings.
Afterwards Kevin Thomson told Hibernian TV”I was just happy to play – I love playing football. The only disappointing factor was that we didn’t manage to win; I almost scored near the end too.
“We had a lot of pressure in the second half, but we couldn’t get that winning goal with Ryan unfortunately missing a penalty right at the end.
“It has been a frustrating time with the injury, but I’ve been working as hard as I can to get back.
“I want to show the manager that I’m fit and that I want to get back into the squad.”
Hibernian under-20s: Dougie Horne, Andrew Black, Daniel Boateng, Tom Gardiner, Ryan Baptie, Euan Smith, Scott Martin, Kevin Thomson, Jamie Beaton (Gareth McCaffrey, 77), Jason Cummings, Abdellah Zoubir.
Unused substitutes: Kleton Perntreou, Aaron Dunsmore, Bob Wilson, Neil Martyniuk, Taylor Hendry, Max Todd.
Hibernian EOS are back in Central Taxis First Division action on Saturday (1 March, kick off 2.30pm) against Burntisland Shipyard at the Training Centre. Admission is via donation to bucket collection around the perimeter of the pitch
Photo by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
