Cowdenbeath 1-2 Hibernian
Hibs recorded a valuable victory over Cowdenbeath at Central Park this afternoon to consolidate their position in the play-off places.
First half goals from Paul Hanlon and Jason Cummings were enough to secure the three points however an injury to keeper Mark Oxley saw the Hull player replaced at half time by youngster Kleton Perntreou and although the ‘Blue Brazil’ pulled one back, Hibs held on for the well-deserved victory.
Head Coach Alan Stubbs made no changes to the team who received a standing ovation from the Hibs’ fans despite losing on penalties to high flying Dundee United in the League Cup quarter finals last week.
Dylan McGeough who missed that game due to a suspension did not make the squad due to an injury whilst midweek hat trick hero Jake Sinclair made the bench.
Hibs started the game brightly in their white away strip and looked comfortable despite the terrible weather conditions and eventually broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Hanlon was able to get onto the end of a well taken Scott Allan free kick before guiding a left footed shot into the net.
Just before the break, David Gray found Cummings inside the penalty area and the youngster hammered the ball into the corner of the goal to double the lead.
There was a scare of the travelling support when the teams emerged for the second half as Oxley who had looked uncomfortable following fall in the first half was replaced by teenager Perntreou who was making his competitive debut.
Hibs continued to dominate possession and Cummings in particular looked dangerous however Cowdenbeath managed to pull one back when Jon Robertson got on the end of a Lewis Milne cross to nod the ball into the net.
Matt Kennedy and Alex Harris replaced Danny handling and Dominique Malonga and despite Cowdenbeath applying some pressure in the dying minutes, Stubbs’ men held on to secure a valuable three points.
The result leaves Hibs three points clear of Raith Rovers in fourth place in the Championship.
Hibs: Oxley, Gray, Stevenson, Hanlon, Fontaine, Craig, Robertson, Allan, Handling, Cummings, Malonga. Subs Perntreou, Kennedy, Sinclair, Harris, Stanton, Heffernan, Booth
Photo by John Preece