Hibs final pre-season fixture ended with a defeat to EFL Championship side Watford in a five-goal thriller at Easter Road last night.
Former Hibs star Ryan Porteous who played for Scotland at the summer Euros captained Watford.
Josef Bursik and Lewis Miller were not risked, whilst Chris Cadden and Elie Youan missed out through injury.
David Gray selected two sides, one for each half and the team wore the new purple and green third strip.
Hibs started on the front foot and dominated the early part of the game before taking the lead in the 15th minute when Martin Boyle’s cross was turned in by Josh Campbell from close range.
Moments later an acrobatic scissor kick finish from Porteous appeared to have levelled the match but his effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
The English side equalised in the 29th minute when Imran Louz scored from close range.
Ex Celtic youngster Rocco Vata added a second shortly thereafter with a deflected effort from just outside the box.
Hibs drew level in the 53rd minute when substitute Harry McKirdy capitalised on a mistake by Porteous and managed to intercept his header back to the keeper.
McKirdy then rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the net for his first goal at Easter Road.
15-minutes later Watford restored their advantage when Amin Nabizada fired home from inside the area.
The visitors had chances to add to their lead but the score remained 3-2 in their favour.
Hibs meet Peterhead in the final Premier Sports Cup group match on Saturday knowing that victory will see them progress into the last 16 of the competition.
Hibernian: Smith (Boruc 46’), Ekpiteta (Rocky 46’), O’Hora (Harbottle 46’), Vente (McKirdy 46’), Boyle (Amos 46’), Newell (Delferriere 46’), Obita (Calder 46’), Moriah-Welsh (Levitt 46’), Megwa (McAllister 64’), Campbell (Jair 46’), Molotnikov (Whittaker 46’). Substitutes not used: Cleland, McGrath.
Watford: Bond, Ngakia (Clarridge 64’), Sierralta (Rajovic 46’), Porteous (Nabizada 64’), Pollock (Abbott 75’), Ince, Louza (Adu-Poku 64’), Vata (Forde 64’), Morris (Watkiss 86’), Baah (Tikvic 46’), Ramirez. Substitutes not used: Marriott, Adeyemo.
Referee: Nick Walsh.
Attendance: 8,659.
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.
