The Under 20s eight-week unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of an experienced Hibs at Broadwood this afternoon.
‘Well, who had seven seventeen-year olds on the pitch, struggled to cope with the Easter Road side, who had recognisable names such as Paul Cairney, Paul Heffernan, Danny Handling, Dean Horribine and Jason Cummings amongst their starting eleven.
In the end, goals from Cummings, Tom Gardiner and Heffernan gave Hibs the win and although the visitors very much merited their victory, 3-0 was perhaps a tad harsh.
Jonatan Johansson made just one change to the side that put three past Ross County seven days ago. Paul Lawson dropped out and was replaced by the returning Dale Shirkie.
The visitors started on the front foot and could have gone ahead through Heffernan, but his low shot was well blocked by Ross Stewart. From the resulting corner, Cairney’s deep cross found Gardiner at the back post but he headed wide of target
Two minutes later, a long ball over the top by Neill had Craig Moore in on goal but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. Shortly after, the little striker fired a low shot, which forced Paul Grant into a decent save down low to his right.
It was an important block as Hibs took the lead with their next attack. Euan Smith’s deep ball towards the back post flew over Heffernan’s head and landed kindly for Cummings. His volley, which looked to be heading wide, took a wicked deflection off Chris Cadden’s back, looped over Stewart and into the net.
Seven minutes later, the same player had a similar chance but this time, his wicked shot did fly past Stewart’s goal and ran out for a throw-in.
Hibs almost doubled their lead when Heffernan met Ryan Baptie’s deep free kick only to head wide, before Horribine flashed a low shot inches wide of Stewart’s post. Sandwiched between those chances, Dom Thomas fired a lot shot straight at Grant as the Steelmen struggled to cut open James McDonaugh’s men.
Into the second period and Johansson’s men knew the next goal would be crucial, so when Hibs doubled their lead just four minutes in, it made it an uphill task.
Left back Baptie was again involved, his corner kick was perfect for Gardiner and the former Spurs youngster rose well to head home from close range.
Motherwell continued to battle and were almost back in it with a corner of their own, but Dale Shirkie’s header was bundled off the line by Cairney on the post. Hibs quickly went on the counter and Baptie’s low shot skimmed across the surface but dropped a foot or so wide.
Handling and Shirkie carved out half chances at either end before Hibs secured the points with the third goal of the match twenty minutes from time.
Cummings picked up on the left flank and his teasing ball into the area was perfect for Heffernan, who did well to lose his marker, and he was left with the simplest of tasks, heading home from close range.
It could have got instantly worse for ‘Well when Horribine almost made it four after Smith’s cut back, but his stinging shot was tipped over by Stewart at the expense of a corner.
Johnasson took the opportunity to throw on Mackin and Hall late in the game, further reducing the average age of the side but there would be no further scoring as Hibs jump above ‘Well in the table.
The Steelmen will be keen to bounce back when they face an away trip to St Mirren next Tuesday.
Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Murray (Hall – 75mins), Neill, Leitch, McCafferty (Mackin – 69mins), Shirkie, Moore, Thomas, Higgins (Anderson – 57mins)
Subs Not Used: Long, McCall, Johnstone
