Hibs consolidated second place in the table with a magnificent three-nil victory over St Mirren at the Simple Digital Arena in Paisley this afternoon.
The game finally got the ‘go-ahead’ late last night after three St Mirren goalkeepers were ruled out due to coronavirus restrictions. Saints’ boss Jim Goodwin wasted no time in securing the services of Hearts’ keeper Zdenek ‘Bobby’ Zlamal, much to the annoyance of many Hearts’ fans who still blame St Mirren for ‘lying down’ against Celtic in 1986. Ironically Zlamal’s last competitive game was the infamous night in Paisley which effectively resulted in Hearts’ relegation.
Goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield was listed amongst the substitutes for the first time in three years.
Hibs Head Coach Jack Ross made three changes to the starting XI that lost to Aberdeen two-weeks ago. Alex Gogic, Jamie Murphy and Kevin Nisbet (pictured) replaced the injured Scott Allan, Melker Hallberg and Drey Wright. New signing Dillon Barnes started on the bench.
The visitors started brightly and Ryan Porteous sent a superb through ball into the path of Martin Boyle but Richard Tait was able to dispossess the winger.
In the 10th minute, Nisbet sent a great pass to Boyle who flicked it past the advancing Zlamalbut the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the post.
Three minutes later Hibs took a deserved lead when Boyle picked up the ball on the right wing and slid a pass to Paul McGinn. The former Buddie drove forward and sent a perfect low cross into the six-yard box and Nisbet was on-hand to bundle the ball into the net.
Hibs doubled their lead in the 16th minute when Porteous won a header on the half-way line which Nisbet brought under control and found Boyle on the right. The ‘Socceroo’ beat one defender and cut the ball back to Joe Newell who calmly side-footed it low into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
St Mirren started to dominate possession with Hibs happy to play on the break and the hosts were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Porteous misjudged a cross and the ball struck his hand but referee Willie Collum waved play-on.
Nathan Sheron was booked for pulling back Murphy then Josh Doig was unlucky in the 26th minute when he cut in from the left but his shot was deflected for a corner. Moments later Nisbet did likewise.
In the 40th minute Paul Hanlon was booked for a mistimed tackle on Jamie McGrath and Ofir Marciano did well to save the resultant free-kick from Ilkay Durmus. The ball was returned by Tait and fell to Sheron who fired a powerful strike goalwards from close range but Marciano produced a tremendous save to deny the Saints’ midfielder.
Just before the break, Newell split the St Mirren defence with a wonderful through ball which Doig collected but Marcus Fraser blocked his cross to the unmarked Nisbet and the ball went out for a corner.
The second-half started in heavy rain and within four minutes Nisbet had a great chance to add to Hibs’ lead but his under pressure strike from the edge of the area was well saved by Zlamal.
Substitute Lee Erwin then fired a powerful long-range effort over the bar to remind Hibs that the game wasn’t over.
Hibs added a third in the 58th minute to effectively end the game as a contest. A Newell corner from the right was headed straight back to him and his second cross to the back post was missed by Zlamal and Boyle was on-hand to head the ball into the empty net.
Ethan Erhahon was lucky to escape a yellow card following a reckless challenge on Doig. Newell sent in the resultant free-kick which Zlamal punched into the path of Gogic but his volley flew well wide.
Newell then did well to find Nisbet on the right but his back-post cross just evaded strike partner Christian Doidge.
Nisbet did well to beat his man on the right wing before combining well with Murphy but his cross was eventually cleared.
In the 76th minute Nisbet was replaced by Jamie Gullan then two minutes later Newell was booked for a foul on John Obika on the edge of the area.
Wright replaced Murphy with nine minutes remaining then moments later Marciano produced a fine diving save to deny Cammy McPherson.
Ross made a double substitution with three minutes remaining and Ryan Shanley and Stevie Mallan replaced Boyle and Newell. Connor McArthy received a late yellow card for a foul on Shanley.
Hibs continued to press forward in search of a fourth goal but it was not to be and the match ended with a three goal victory.
There was a scare for Hibs in the last passage of play and Porteous required treatment after clashing with Erwin.
St Mirren: Zlamal, Tait, McCarthy, Sheron, Obika, Durmus, Foley, McGrath, Dennis, Fraser, Erhahon. Subs: Langfield, McPherson, McAllister, Connolly, Erwin, Jamieson, Morias.
Hibs: Marciano, McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig, Hallberg Newell, Murphy, Wright, Doidge, Boyle. Subs: Barnes, Gray, McGregor, Stevenson, Stirling, Hallberg, Shanley, Gullan, Mallan.
Referee Willie Collum
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.
