Hibs vs Motherwell

Tuesday 20th July
1.00pm
Hibernian FC v Motherwell FC

Match Report by Kimberley Middleton

Hibs and Motherwell battle it out in a 1pm kick of in the sunshine. Motherwell got the game under way.

In the opening stages it was Hibs who created the pressure with an early attempt on goal going wide.

Hibs maintain the pressure with a corner taken by Ryan Baptie allowing Jay Doyle to come close – this is followed by a nervous few moments for Motherwell in front of their goal.

10 minutes into the game it was remained fairly even but with Hibs edging the majority of the possession.

GOAL!
Hibernian 1-0 Motherwell.
As the game moved on Hibs began to dominate and after roughly 20 minutes their pressure pays off as Jay Doyle opens the scoring with a powerful drive. Motherwell's keeper got his fingertips to it however it found its way to the back of the net.

GOAL!
Hibernian 2-0 Motherwell.
Almost within no time at all Motherwell are left shell shocked as Hibernian double their lead. Two goals in as many minutes for Hibs - this time headed in by Jack Brady after the ball was played in from the left.

Shortly after Hibs came close again with a Jay Doyle chip punched away and Sam Stanon putting the re-bound just wide.

A Motherwell free kick is shot directly to goal which is forced to be cleared off the line – however it would not have stood after the linesman flagged for a foul.

With the game approaching half time Hibs applied more pressure in and around Motherwell's penalty box.

Half Time.
The half time whistle goes with a deserved 2-0 lead for Hibs – it could have been even more. Motherwell have shown glimpses of potential yet have been dominated for the majority of the half.

A half time change saw Motherwell switch goal-keepers.

Second half begins and initially it looks to be heading the same way as the first half did with Hibs immediately applying pressure with an attempt on goal going just over the bar within the opening minute of the half.

As the second half progresses Motherwell brighten up and begin to threaten the Hibs goal.

Motherwell break and earn a corner – following which there is a spell of Motherwell pressure with Jonathan Dodd going just wide. It is now all Motherwell – the half time talk must have worked.

Another opportunity from Motherwell proves they have not lost their belief or determination to get back into the game.

10 minutes into the second half and it is as if we are watching a different game – all Motherwell – Kyle Jackson with a chance going marginally wide with a diving header. Motherwell looked more and more threatening but clearly needed that goal.

Motherwell change – Adam Ashgar coming on almost making an immediate impact after coming close to getting the goal Motherwell need.

GOAL
Hibernian 2-1 Motherwell
Game on! Finally Motherwell get their and it had been coming. Ross Stewart sets the goal up for Darren Brownie – suddenly the game has become very interesting.

The game becomes an end to end affair as both teams are aware how significant the next goal is.

Motherwell push and push for an equaliser and the game becomes extremely competitive – becoming more physical in the closing stages.

Full Time.
Motherwell did not want that whistle to come, but relief for Hibs as they manage to see out their 2-1 win. Spirited second half performance from Motherwell and it looked as if they were heading for an equaliser. Credit to Hibs for their outstanding first half performance and for hanging on to their lead. This was very much a game of two halves! Thoroughly entertaining.

Score
Hibernian 2-1 Motherwell.

Managers Comment:
Hibs manager:
“Delighted with the first half fantastic performance – perhaps one or two became a little tired in the second half and Motherwell played very well and could have equalised. Overall I feel we did deserve the win however if Motherwell had equalised then I couldn't have argued with that.”.

Man of the Match:
Bradly Donaldson