The Hibernian Development Squad beat Dundee United 3-1 yesterday with Josh Peters scoring a hat-trick – his first goals for the club.
Peters’ first goal of the day arrived in the 13th minute then Matty Smith equalised in the 25th
Nine minutes later Peters scored his second and he rounded off his hat trick 15 minutes from the end.
After the game the youngster told the club website: “I thought I done really well against Dundee United. I felt I was a bit unlucky against Kilmarnock last week, I thought I done okay in the first half, but fitness kind of played its part in the second half of that game.
“The team played well against Dundee United and overall I thought we were the better side for most of the 90 minutes and I thought I took my goals really well. To be fair to the other players they were laid on a plate for me – I couldn’t really miss all three of them to be honest. It was good to get off the mark.
“The first goal wasn’t the best out of the three, but it was the best for me just to get started. I didn’t really get any chances against Kilmarnock or Aberdeen, so the fact that I actually got a chance and took it was a good feeling.
“It is quality opposition we’re playing against as well, it’s professional clubs so I felt good about myself and my performance. I was playing up top with Oli Shaw and he’s a great footballer and was unlucky not to get a goal himself, but he set up two of my goals as well and we linked up really well for the second goal.
“Hopefully we can continue that partnership until the end of the season. I wanted to get off the mark with one goal, but it’s great to get three, I never really expected that. I just want to carry on now.
“I’ve been enjoying full-time football and I’ve been here a month now, so I’m just settling in. It was tough at first just getting used to football every day, especially at a high standard, it’s a big step-up from the Highland League. I’m really enjoying it.
“The coaches Joe McBride and Grant Murray are great at giving you individual feedback and helping you work on your weaknesses. I’ve still got weaknesses, but they are helping me to improve.
“I think my fitness has improved as well, I’m in full-time training every day and going to the gym twice a week, I think it’s really played a part in my performance. I can still get a lot fitter, I can feel my fitness improving. That’s two full 90 minutes in two weeks, so I’m happy with that.”
Hibernian Development Squad: Brennan, Dunsmore, Crane, Waugh, McGregor, Stirling, Donaldson, Brown, Shaw, Sinclair, Peters. Substitutes: Costello, Murray, Waldon, Smith.
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.
