Almost 10,000 fans turned out to pay tribute to long serving Hibs’ defender Lewis Stevenson at his testimonial match against Sunderland at Easter Road this afternoon.
Neil Lennon selected a strong starting XI against the Black Cats who were relegated from the Premiership last season.
Stevenson led the teams out accompanied by his two children.
Both sets of fans rose to their feet on the sixth minute to pay tribute to Bradley Lowery, the young Sunderland supporter who sadly passed away on Friday following a prolonged battle with cancer. Earlier this week the Stevenson family issued a statement confirming that part of the proceeds from the game would go to the Bradley Lowrey Fund.
The generous Fifer also donated half of the money raised to the charities CRY (Cardiac Risks in the Young) and Leith Links.
Sunderland took the lead shortly before half time through Wahbi Khazri who fired home from close range.
Jerain Lens doubled the lead for the English side before Martin Boyle reduced the deficit to 2-1.
Hibs equalised in the 73rd minute when Simon Murray tapped in his first goal for the club following good work by John McGinn and David Gray.
Substitute Oli Shaw almost grabbed a late winner but his effort struck the post and bar before bouncing clear of the goal-line.
Lewis Stevenson left the field near the end to a standing ovation.
Hibernian: Marciano, Gray (Murray, 75), McGregor, Fontaine (Pennant, 59), Bartley (Shaw, 75), McGinn, Boyle, Murray (Martin, 75), McGeouch (Graham, 59), Swanson (Porteous, 59), Stevenson.
Subs: Laidlaw, Crane.
Sunderland XI [first-half]: Mannone, Love, Djilobodji, Kone, Jones, Gibson, Rodwell, Embleton, Honeyman, Khazri, Maja.
Sunderland XI [second-half]: Mika, Matthews, O’Shea, Beadling, Galloway, E Robson, Cattermole, Ndong, Greenwood, Gooch, Lens.
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Attendance: 9,309
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.
