Hibs went down 3-2 to Aioli PM with Julio and Thorin goals not enough to get something from the game. Hibs turned in their worst performance of the season and a dreadful period in the opening 20 minutes before the water break saw them behind. A straight ball over the top was turned into a good ball by Wright and he squared for an unmarked striker to score with a tap in. Hibs got a gift to get level in the form of a penalty for handball, but Dan lifted his effort over the bar. Hibs then gifted Aioli a second. The ball was lost in midfield cheaply and when Shaz failed to make contact on his routine clearance, Addy was through from the half-way line. Vish rushed out and Addy side-stepped and rolled into the unguarded net. Hibs had the chances to be level at the half but it wasn’t to be. Tom, who's been in such good scoring form of late, uncharacteristically missed a simple chance with the goal gaping after Dan had knocked the ball past the keeper. 0-2 HT Hibs were brighter in the first 10 minutes of the second half and got another penalty when handball was given. There was no way it was handball, but Julio stepped up and scored his seventh of the season. Thorin was starting to get forward and got in a great position but snatched at his shot. An Rui whistled one just over the bar and Maayan came in and started to link things up but Aioli scored with a towering back-post header to restore the two-goal lead. Thorin arrived again at the far post and this time steered his shot in for 2-3 with 10 to play. He almost repeated the trick but it went wide and Vish saved well when Aioli went through. Deserved win for Aioli PM and Hibs will regroup and go again after a very fun debrief at Members' Night in the pub where we were spoilt for choice for DOTD nominees. MoM for Aioli was their CM who dominated, breaking up play and launching attacks.
A good win for the Monkeys on Saturday against a tough Hibs side, which helped us move closer to yet another mid-table finish and cement our place as very much the Everton of the Cosmo league. Particularly pleasing given the previous fixture was abandoned at half time following a deluge with the Momkeys leading 4-2. No danger of that on Saturday as the game was played out under scorching sun and clear blue skies. We were 2-0 up at half time thanks to goals from Marko and Addy, and helped by some wayward finishing from our opponents which included a penalty miss. Hibs did get a goal back just after half time when awarded a second penalty. The first pen was the correct decision, the second definitely wasn't (laughably so). After a disorganised period where the game started to open up and it looked like our thin squad might be cracking, our Frenchmen combined to restore our two-goal cushion. Matty with the back post header from Seb's floating corner. In typical Monkeys fashion, we lets Hibs back in it to set up a nervy finish but on this occasion held out for the victory. Thanks to Hibs and Rob for a good game. Looking forward to the next one at PSA. Next up for is SFC after a week off in what will be our only match in the month of March.