After a rain-delayed start Hibs and Hotspurs embarked on a replay of last year's Plate final. After a fairly even first half Hibs took the lead after a neat finish from Dan. Hotspurs tried to reassert themselves after the break as both teams missed chances on the counter. Hibs eventually took a 2 goal lead before a late consation for Hotspurs. Fair played to Hibs - great hard but clean game. We will come back in the reverse fixture!
Lightning and rain delayed the start by 30 minutes which was a good job as three of the Hibs lads failed to read the message about game details and turned up at the PSA. Ali did his best to clear the lake with a witch’s broom and then it was game on and Hibs were on top the whole half with the midfield dominating and Dan and Thorin looking threatening. Tiago had a couple of shots and Xav, playing with ‘walking pneumonia’ on his first start (sounds very made up), had one too, but it was tough to get the ball out of your feet and hit it cleanly with puddles all over the attacking thirds. The opener came after more strong midfield play and Thorin whipping in a lovely ball for Dan to open his league account for the season with a tidy finish. 1-0 at the half and Colin being pretty bored in the Hibs goal was a good sign. Hibs started well again. Fresh legs from Tom linked well and the away side got in some good positions. Tom forced the keeper into a good save one-on-one and Boycey had firm header go just wide of the upright from a corner. Julio decided it was time to step up again and get his third in three games. He powered on from midfield and finished brilliantly for 2-0. Hibs dropped off a bit after that and while comfortable, got a bit ragged and as the pitch dried, Hotpurs grew into the game. Always a strong set-piece team, they narrowly missed the target from a second ball. Colin was claiming every cross though but with 4 minutes left, Xav clipped a midfielder, probably due to the ‘walking pneumonia’ or the threat of a nutmeg, and it was deemed a penalty although it was actually outside the box. 2-1 and four minutes seen out a little nervously but with another great chance for Tom as he bundled through a puddle then skewed his shot on his weaker foot while stretching. MoM was Uren in goal for Hotspurs.