Match report: Hibernian 2-0 Saints

Saints started the first half strongly as Nicky Clark and Matt Smith had chances to give Craig Levein’s side the lead.

However, Hibs came into the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half and they took the lead on the stroke of half time as Mykola Kuharevich finished from close range following Nicky Cadden’s deep free kick into the Saints box.

The Leith side sealed the points with 18 minutes remaining as Martin Boyle dinked the ball over Ross Sinclair after the substitute had used his pace to burst into the Saints box.

Saints bad afternoon was compounded in the final minutes as Benji Kimpioka was given a straight red for a lunge on Jordan Obita.

Saints are back in action next weekend as they make the trip north to Dingwall to take on Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

Saints returned to action this afternoon following the international break last weekend as they made the trip to Edinburgh to take on Hibs at Easter Road.  A stoppage time goal from Ebiye Moses saw Saints slip to a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell at McDiarmid Park a fortnight ago and Craig Levein made two changes to his starting eleven for this afternoon’s William Hill Premiership match. Both Jason Holt and Sven Sprangler came into the starting eleven and they replaced Cammy MacPherson, who dropped to the bench, whilst Jack Sanders missed out due to suspension after getting sent off late on against Motherwell. Hibs were held to a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock before the international break as the Rugby Park side scored a stoppage time equaliser. Head Coach David Gray made three changes to his starting eleven as Elie Youan, Chris Cadden and Nicky Cadden came in to replace Lewis Miller and Martin Boyle who both dropped to the bench, whilst Joe Newell missed out completely. 

Rudi Molotnikov got the match underway for the hosts and the Leith side created the first chance of the match on 2 minutes. Molotnikov won the ball and the midfielder teed up Nicky Cadden however, his low left footed effort went wide of the far post.

Saints created a chance a minute later as Matt Smith played in Nicky Clark and the forward unleashed a strike from distance which was held by Josef Bursik in the Hibs goal.

Saints were putting pressure on the Hibs goal as they forced a series of corners midway through the first half. On 25 minutes Smith got a sight of goal form the edge of the box however, he dragged his effort wide.

PHOTO: Nicky Clark's shot is saved by Josef Bursik

Play quickly switched to the other end a minute later as Hyeokkyu Kwon put his strike over from just outside the box.

Great skill by Lewis Neilson shortly after saw the Scotland under 21 internationalist beat his man on the edge of the Hibs box before picking out Benji Kimpioka in the centre however, the Hibs defence were able to scramble the ball away before the forward could unleash a strike at goal.

On 34 minutes Mykola Kuharevich pushed forward before seeing his effort turned behind by Kyle Cameron. From the resulting corner Chris Cadden saw his curling effort headed clear by Cameron. The Easter Road side created another chance with 5 minutes of the first half remaining as Nicky Cadden whipped a ball over from the left which picked out Elie Youan in the centre of the box however, the header from the Frenchman went over the bar.

Hibs were starting to come into the game and in the final minute of the half a ball over the top from Nectarios Triantis played in Chris Cadden however, he couldn’t make a clean connection with the ball as Ross Sinclair came out to gather.

PHOTO: Lewis Neilson runs into the box

However, just as the fourth official put up his board to indicate 2 minutes of stoppage time Hibs took the lead. A deep Nicky Cadden free kick into the Saints box saw the ball headed across goal by Marvin Ekpiteta and Kuharevich beat Sinclair to the ball to get a faint touch to it to turn it home despite Clark’s best efforts as he tried to clear the ball off the line.  

On 55 minutes Nicky Cadden won the hosts a free kick after he was fouled by Andre Raymond. Junior Hoilett, on at half time for Elie Youan, took the free kick and his delivery into the Saints box saw the ball bounce around before it broke to Kwon however, the on-loan Celtic midfielder blasted his effort over the bar.

Just before the hour mark Hibs came close to doubling their lead as Hoilett played in Molotnikov however, Sinclair made a brilliant save as he turned the ball behind for a corner.

PHOTO: Jason Holt tackles Rudi Molotnikov

The Easter Road side continued to create the better of the chances and on 67 minutes Hibs substitute Josh Campbell played in Kuharevich and the on-loan Swansea City forward took a touch before blasting his effort over the bar. Then on 71 minutes Hibs hit Saints on a quick counter attack from a Saints corner as Kuharevich burst forward as he looked to latch onto a through ball from Martin Boyle however, Sinclair came rushing out his box to make a brilliant sliding clearance to deal with the danger.

However, Hibs extended their lead a minute later. Chris Cadden slipped the ball to Boyle and the substitute burst down the right-hand side and into the Saints box before chipping the ball over the diving Sinclair and into the far corner of the net.

Saints then made their first change of the game as Nicky Clark made way for Makenzie Kirk. That was followed by another change shortly after as Josh McPake came on to replace Drey Wright.

PHOTO: Saints manager Craig Levein  

Hibs continued to apply pressure to the Saints goal and on 80 minutes Josh Campbell saw his curling effort gathered by Sinclair at the second attempt. Then 4 minutes later Boyle broke across the edge of the Saints box before putting his effort wide.

With 2 minutes remaining Hibs created another chance as Hoilett fired his shot wide of the target.

Saints afternoon got even worse on 89 minutes as Kimpioka was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Jordan Obita to end a disappointing afternoon in the capital.

PHOTO: Referee Nick Walsh sends off Benji Kimpioka for his foul on Jordan Obita

Hibernian: Bursik, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Youan (Hoilett 45’), C. Cadden (Miller 83’), Kwon, N. Cadden (Boyle 62’), Obita, Triantis, Molotnikov (Campbell 62’), Kuharevich (McKirdy 83’)

Unused Substitutes: Smith (GK), Levitt, Moriah-Welsh, Bushiri  

Booked: Triantis

Scorers: Kuharevich (45+1’), Boyle (72’)

Saints: Sinclair, Raymond, Cameron, Neilson, Holt, Clark (Kirk 74’), Wright (McPake 79’), Essel, Smith, Sprangler, Kimpioka

Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Hepburn (GK), MacPherson, Kucheriavyi, Bright, McCrystal, Dair

Booked: Holt, Sprangler, Raymond, Essel

Sent Off: Kimpioka

Referee: Nick Walsh

VAR: Gavin Duncan

Attendance: 15,448

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Sven Sprangler and Mykola Kuharevich