Hibs hit Arbroath for six at Easter Road

Hibs all but secured qualification from the group stages of the Betfred League Cup with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Arbroath at Easter Road tonight.

In truth the scoreline flattered the visitors as Hibs produced wave after wave of attacks, totally dominating the game throughout.

Head Coach Neil Lennon made four changes to the starting XI that drew with Ross County on Friday night.

Ross Laidlaw took over in goals from Ofir Marciano whilst, Darren McGregor, Marvin Bartley, and Darren McGeouch made way for David Gray, Liam Fontaine and Ryan Porteous.

Simon Murray had the ball in the net in the 6th minute but his effort was controversially ruled offside, the first of several questionable decisions by the East Stand linesman.

Hibs took the lead eleven minutes later when Murray headed home Gray’s inch perfect cross from the right.

The home side totally dominated possession and Martin Boyle was twice denied by fine saves from Ricky Gomes although on both occasions Murray was unmarked inside the area.

Hibs should have made it 2-0 when Porteous was brought down in the area but Danny Swanson fired the resultant penalty high over the bar.

The visitors pulled one back after the Hibs’ defence fell asleep at an Arbroath corner which allowed Steven Doris to score from close range.

Hibs regained the lead just before half time when Porteous headed home from a John McGinn cross.

Five minutes after the restart Boyle beat his marker and crossed the ball into the path of Murray who tapped home his second of the night.

In the 52nd minute Lewis Stevenson found McGinn unmarked inside the box and the Scotland midfielder curled the ball into the top corner of the net.

Lennon introduced youngsters Fraser Murray, Scott Martin and Oli Shaw to the proceedings before man of the match Porteous grabbed his second and Hibs’ fifth with a powerful header from Ambrose’s cross.

In time added on, Murray grabbed his hat-trick with a volley from Whittaker’s cross to make the score 6-1.

Hibs: Laidlaw, Gray, Whittaker, Fontaine, McGinn, Swanson, Murray, Stevenson, Boyle, Ambrose, Porteous. Subs: Marciano, Bartley, Martin, Crane, Shaw, Murray, Stirling

Arbroath: Gomes, Gold, Hamilton, Little, O’Brien, Whatley, Denholm, McCord, Doris, Yule, Linn. Subs: Hutton, Prunty, Hester, Kader, Henry, Swankie, Skelly

Referee Stephen Finnie

Attendance 4856