Hibs disposed of their highest ranked group opponents with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Queen’s Park at Easter Road tonight.
Now victory over Kelty Hearts on Saturday will almost certainly secure a last 16 place in the Premier Sports League Cup.
David Gray made one change to the starting XI that beat Elgin City with Nathan Moriah-Welsh replacing Chris Cadden.
Hibs took a deserved lead in the 14th minute when Warren O’Hora headed Joe Newell’s corner kick delivery in off the underside of the crossbar.
The linesman did not appear to give the goal but the referee was in no doubt.
Five minutes later Josh Campbell floated in a superb cross and Martin Boyle produced Jude Bellingham(esque) overhead kick to double his side’s advantage.
Hibs dominated possession and the Glasgow side barely threatened.
Just before the break Joe Newell did well to win the ball in midfield before finding Campbell who slid an inch perfect pass into the path of Rudi Molotnikov and the youngster demonstrated fine composure to slot it past Calum Ferrie for his first senior goal.
Hibs started the second half on the front foot and Molotnikov did brilliantly to jink his way into the box past three Queen’s players but his pow cross evaded Dylan Vente.
Vente twice went close but headed both Boyle deliveries just wide.
Gray then made a number of substitutions.
Kanayo Megwa, Rocky Bushiri, Levitt, Luke Amos and Elie Youan replaced Lewis Miller, O’Hora, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Vente and Molotnikov.
Moments later Levitt curled a fantastic finish beyond Ferrie from 22-yards.
Youan almost made it 5-0 after displaying some outrageous skill but his effort rebounded off the post.
With 15-minutes remaining Campbell produced his third assist of the night when he played in Boyle on the right and he fired a composed finish in the far corner of the net.
Queens netted a consolation effort deep into time added on through a powerful strike from Jack Turner.
Hibs are now in pole position to top Group C at the halfway stage of the pool phase, and are three points clear of the Spiders. They face Kelty Hearts away on Saturday before concluding at home to Peterhead the following weekend.
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.
