Match date: 26th July 2022 Kickoff: 19.30 pm
Dunbar United 1 Hibernian FC 6
Dunbar United entertained a young Hibernian development side on Tuesday night in their last pre-season friendly before the season starts in earnest on Saturday. Hibernian were themselves unbeaten in pre-season with victories against Sheffield United, Norwich City and Arsenal, as well as several East of Scotland sides and they were determined to continue their good form.
Alan Delferriere shot wide in the 9th minute as the hosts were finding it difficult to get a foothold in the game and five minutes later Josh O’Connor shot high over the bar when well positioned.
In their next attack Hibs Joao Balde was denied a goal by two great saves from Dunbar keeper Sean Brennan before the pressure paid off in the 16th minute when Alan Delferriere controlled the ball at the second attempt and blasted the ball into the net to give Hibs a well deserved lead.
Three minutes later Hibs were awarded a penalty when Willis Hare upended Robbie Hamilton inside the box, but Josh O’Connors shot was well saved by Dunbar keeper Sean Brennan.
Brennan kept the scoreline down with some inspired goalkeeping denying Delferriere twice and Robbie Hamilton in quick succession before the visitors increased their lead in the 37th minute when Robbie Hamilton flicked in a low cross from the right to make the score 2-0.
Just before the interval Hibs Murray Aiken beat two Dunbar defenders on the left and squared for Josh O’Connor to score with a deft touch from ten yards and increase the visitors lead to three.
Some changes after the break for Dunbar to utilise the squad and they began to find a bit more space but things got worse in the 58th minute when Robbie Hamilton was fouled in the box by Kerr Allan and Hibs were awarded their second penalty. This time Dylan Tait made no mistake from the resultant spot kick and Hibs increased their lead to four.
Brennan again excelled turning another O’Connor shot past for a corner before Dunbar pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute when a Darren Smith free kick was headed back across the goal and Johnny Edmond was on hand to fire the ball into the net much to the delight of the home support.
Hibs rang the changes and continued to impress with some lovely neat flowing football and in the 70th minute they scored again after good work from O’Connor the ball fell kindly at the back post to young Rudi Molotnikov and he controlled the ball well before firing into the net.
Five minutes later and Sean Brennan again saved when Joao Balde was left with only the keeper to beat but Hibs still attacked relentlessly and scored again in the 88th minute when Jacob McIntyre made a yard for himself on the edge of the box and blasted the ball into the corner of the net to make the final score 6-1 to Hibernian.
A good run out for Dunbar against a very impressive young Hibs side who closed down very quickly and denied the hosts much possession and the difference between full and part time training was clear for all to see.
A special mention to Sean Brennan who won the Man Of The Match award for Dunbar with some tremendous saves throughout the game including a third penalty save this early in the season.
Dunbar will now turn their attention to Saturday when they play their first League game of the season away in the new East of Scotland First Division at Rosyth with kick-off at 2.30pm.
Dunbar United :- Sean Brennan, James Redpath, Bob Berry, Cammy Dawson, Fraser Neave, Jordan Hopkinson, Willis Hare, Dean Whitson, Michael McFarlane, Sean Miller, Aaron Congalton.
Substitutes :- Shea Dowie, Kerr Allan, Ben Bathgate, Darren Smith, Darren Handling, Johnny Edmond, Grant Thomson.
Hibernian FC :- Murray Johnson, Josh McCulloch, Owen Hastie, Jacob Blaney, Kanayo Megwa, Dylan Tait, Murray Aiken, Alan Delferriere, Josh O’Connor, Joao Balde, Robbie Hamilton.
Substitutes :- Tom Carter, Jacob McIntyre, Rudi Molotnikov, Harry Wright, Alfie Smith, Trialist.
Referee :- Daniel Graves
Match report courtesy of Laurie Wood.
Photos by Gordon Maitland.
Mon the Seasiders!
