Very important and the first 3 points picked up last Saturday for the Swiss FC! In the end, great relief in a game where we shouldn't have had to make it difficult for us in the end. Urs took over the team again for old time's sake since Kamsadi was not available for this time. Of the players available, 2 new faces in the squad, as the re-building project continues to intensify. Welcome Thomas and Joel. After a shaky first 5 mins, Swiss settled down, kept the possession starting from the back and progressing forwards. Wingers Adam and Dimi were getting more of the ball trying to feed in Samba and Marco. We were soon rewarded by 2 great individual displays from Adam. The 20 year old ghosting past 3, 4 defenders before smashing it past the Hibs goalie. This followed a similar run, and his deflected shot flew in to give a 2-0 lead. A strange series of events soon followed. A very soft handball (?) decision/penalty for the Hibs, which Joe was unlucky to not save was followed by another penalty for the Hibs soon after. Joe saved this though and almost immediately we countered swiftly with some nice combinations - Cedric in the right place to apply the finishing touch. 3-1 Swiss. We managed to make it 4-1 right before half time after a cross was headed into Hibs' own goal. Very unfortunate for the defender. We knew the first 15 mins of the 2nd half would be important. To be honest, the 2nd half was really poor, dare i even say, "ugly". Quality was poor from both sides. Hibs pushed their taller players upfront with an aerial assault on the swiss defence. It was scrappy and we were unable to hold the ball/keep the possession. Very passionate affair throughout the 2nd half. Few unpleasant incidents/ challenges which also included Cedric being sent off. Hibs got 2 goals back with some comedic plays from ourselves: 2 swiss players exchanging positions during a play & goalkeeper whacking his clearance against his own defender. We could laugh about it after the game - 3 points all that mattered but performance needs to improve throughout the match not only 1 half. Good luck Hibs; see you @ Psa for the return... Mom probably to Adam, despite being only fit enough for 20 mins, made the difference during this time with 2 moments of real quality. Next time 40 mins !
The Swiss ran out 4-3 winners as Hibs left themselves too much to do. Hibs started promisingly and Boycey found himself with a wonderful chance at the back post, but he skied it. It looked like a matter of time before we notched, the Swiss's tricky winger had other ideas and weaved his way into the box before finding a stunning finish. Hibs continued to cause their opponents problems. Maayan had a shot smothered and Colin had an excellent chance which he pulled just wide. The Swiss did the same again and scored through the same outlet with the help of a deflection giving Alex in goal no chance. Hibs didn't panic and although we couldn't believe the score based on the game, we kept pushing and Lippy earned a penalty and a way back into the game. With regular taker Dan suspended, Nick stepped up and squeezed the ball under the keeper. Instead of taking the next step towards squaring things, Hibs conceded again. It was a good headed goal by the Swiss and it looked like being a goal-fest. The assistant linesman did well to spot another infringement in the Swiss penalty area and the push on Boycey saw the ball back on the spot. This time the keeper came out out top and deflected Nick's penalty away to safety. In the same passage of play the Swiss put in a hopeful cross and with Rupert stretching, he headed past a helpless Alex to give Hibs a 1-4 mountain to climb. Hibs' were positive the second half would be different and it was. The chances came thick and fast and the Swiss had only one more chance that Alex saved well. Thorin had a one on one he didn't convert after great work getting past the forwards from midfield. Seb narrowly missed from a free-kick, but Joey's excellent pass found Thorin out wide who whipped in a striker's dream of a ball for Colin to get his second in as many games. Lippy narrowly missed, Colin headed wide, Thorin shot over, but some luck fell our way with 11 minutes remaining as Talbot chased down the keeper and he only managed to smash the ball at his own defender with the ricochet trickling towards goal. It was a footrace Talbot won and we were back within a goal. There was plenty to keep the referee busy all afternoon, the red card came out for a Swiss player as he lost his head with 10 minutes to go. Hibs kept plugging away and asked plenty of question of the Swiss defence, but they blocked everything and our finishing was wayward. We deserved much more from the game, but we paid for poor defending so onto the next one. MOTM for Hibs goes to Thorin with his constant running and positioning For the Swiss goes to the left winger who did the damage in the first 15mins Adam Bikour