Hibs and Gaelic fought out a really good 1-1 draw at Turf City with both sides having good spells in the game. Hibs faced some selection headaches for the first time this season and the starting 11 started well playing some of our most fluid football this season. Bolts didn’t quite get the contact he hoped for when Max squared for him and the grateful keeper readjusted and saved at close range. Gaelic were threatening on the counter on the right-wing and they had a couple of chances but Bill was more than a match and was quick off his line to block. Hibs created excellent chances to score but Sergio couldn’t quite get past the ‘keeper after Liam’s glorious through ball and later Will created space and put his shot too close to the ‘keeper. We lost Liam to illness (sub 1) just before the half and a little tactical tweak saw Julio on (sub 2) for the second half. Gaelic started the second half well and got the opening goal after a great turn and finish. Bill was busy and he was in excellent form as Gaelic continued to push for the second. Hibs carried a threat with Julio flashing one wide and the equaliser came from a set-piece. Max crossed and Bolts’ reverse header dropped in. The game was opening up and it was there for winning. Fresh legs came on for Hibs (Dan and Hayden subs 3 and 4) and Dan shot just wide and Gaelic again found Bill in great form. Maayan was about to be subbed but while we waited for the ball to go out, play was in the centre-circle with Hibs and the ball hit Brad and fell into Gaelic possession. Expecting a drop-ball, as per the rules, Hibs almost conceded. Maayan asked why the game wasn’t stopped and Brad objected and sent him off on 75 mins. A shame because the game had been well managed by the officials up to that point. Hibs reacted well and were the better team for the remainder of the game. The officials again messed up as Hibs tried to make their 5th sub but the assistant had marked 5 already. It meant limping to the end and someone missing out on a game. Perhaps simply writing the numbers down of the players subbed would avoid this in future. Thanks to Gaelic who’s winger was MoM and MoM was Bill for Hibs.
From all accounts a good standard of football from both teams. And we missed a hatfull of chances that on another day... Would've taken the result at rhe start though. MoM to Dom for stepping up on player manager responsibilities and Zac gets a special mention for serving up some toast