David Gray’s tenure in charge of Hibs began with a comfortable 5-0 away victory over Elgin City at Borough Briggs this afternoon in the Premier Sports Cup.
A Dylan Vente hat trick, a debut goal from Marvin Ekpiteta and a Martin Boyle strike was more than enough to secure the points.
Gray selected his three new summer signings with Josef Bursik starting in goal, behind Ekpiteta and Warren O’Hora at centre-back.
Lewis Miller and Jordan Obita started at full-back with Josh Campbell, Rudi Molotnikov and newly appointed club Captain Joe Newell in the middle of midfield.
Chris Cadden, Boyle and Vente occupied the forward positions.
Jojo Wollacott ,Dylan Levitt, Luke Amos, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Jair Tavares Nohan Kenneh, Riley Harbottle, Kanayo Megwa and Rocky Bushiri were all named among the substitutes.
There was no place on the bench for Elie Youan who has been the subject of transfer speculation. He was originally named as a substitute, but the team sheet was quickly amended.
The hosts created an early chance when veteran Brian Cameron almost got on the end of long ball over the top, but Bursik just got in ahead of him.
At the other end, a Newell effort stung the palms of Elgin keeper Thomas McHale.
Hibs then took a deserved lead in the 8th minute when following some fine build-up play Boyle fired a low ball in from the right and Vente tapped the ball into the net from close range.
Gray’s men dominated throughout and Molotnikov went close with a long range effort before Vente grabbed his second of the day shortly before the break after heading in an Obita cross from close range.
Cadden was then replaced by Moriah-Welsh after suffering a knock.
Half time Elgin City 0 Hibs 2
Shortly after the restart Ekpiteta added a third with a header from Molotnikov’s cross then a Campbell header tested McHale.
Moments later the visitors added a fourth when Boyle cut in from the right wing before firing the ball into the net.
Just before the hour mark Vente secured his hat trick with a close range header form Boyle’s cross.
Molotnikov then went close with a header from Obita’s cross as Hibs continued to press.
Gray then made a double substitution with Newell and Campbell making way for Amos and Levitt.
Miller was just off target with a long range effort as Hibs looked to increase their lead.
Moments later Tavares and Megwa replaced hat trick hero Vente and youngster Molotnikov.
Megwa had a chance to make it six but the Elgin defence stood firm then Boyle hit the side net with a powerful effort.
Hibs continued to press forward but were unable to add to the scoreline.
Elgin City: McHale, Girvan, Dolzanski, Murray, Booth, Draper, Macleman, Dingwall, Cameron, Sargent, Golding. Subs: Taylor, Cairns, Dangana, Jameson, McDonald, Gavin, Allen
Hibs: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Vente, Boyle, Newell (C), Cadden, Obita, Campbell, Molotnikov Subs Wollacott (GK), Levitt, Amos, Moriah-Welsh, Kenneh, Harbottle, Megwa, Tavares, Bushiri
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.
