Dunfermline Athletic 0 Hibernian 4
Saturday 10th July 2010

Hibernian's pre-season campaign opened up with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Dunfermline Athletic this afternoon in Fife.

After a slow start to the game, John Hughes' men burst into life and goals from Liam Miller, Derek Riordan, David Stephens and an own goal from Dunfermline's Andy Dowie ensured Hibernian recorded a deserved victory.

Last summer, the Hibernian supporters packed out the away stand at East EndPark and they did so again this year for the club's opening pre-season fixture.

Summer signing Edwin de Graaf started the match whist other new recruits - Michael Hart and David Stephens - were listed amongst the substitutes.

Goalkeeper Mark Brown made his long awaited first start for the club some seven months after joining as Hibernian took to the field in their new Mint away kit.

Dunfermline carved out the first real opportunity of the game in the 12th minute when Bell headed over from Cardle's cross.

Jim McIntyre's side continued to look the more incisive and they almost went ahead soon after when Dowie's header was knocked off the goal-line by Wotherspoon following a corner kick.

Wotherspoon came to Hibs rescue once more when he slid in to prevent Cardle scoring from a Kirk's low cross as the home team increased the pressure.

If the break-through was coming you would have put your mortgage on Dunfermline striking first, yet almost out of nothing it was Hibernian that got their noses in front on 23 minutes.

Nish burst through the home defence on the left hand-side of the penalty area and his low cut back was turned into the net by the unfortunate Dowie.

It could have been 2-0 when Nish robbed Dowie of possession which allowed Riordan a clear run in on goal.The striker opted to curl a right foot effort round Smith only for his shot to finish just wide of the far post.

It didn't take the Easter Road men long to double their lead as Miller headed into the net from close range after a stunning Riordan free kick had struck the underside of the crossbar.

At half time Hibernian introduced Graeme Smith, Michael Hart and Anthony Stokes for Mark Brown, John Rankin and Colin Nish.

On the counter attack Dunfermline went close to reducing the deficit when Bell slipped the ball through to Graham only for the forward to be denied by a fine save from Smith.

Seconds later Hibernian netted their third goal when Pars goalkeeper Smith couldn't hold a rasping drive from Stokes and Riordan was in the right place at the right time to slot away the rebound.

John Hughes and Brian Rice gave as many players as possible some time on the field and there was a host of changes with Hogg, McBride, Miller, de Graaf and Murray replaced by Stephens, Currie, Welsh, Galbraith and Stevenson.

Substitutes Currie and Galbraith both had chances shortly after their respective introductions before fellow replacement Stephens marked his debut with a goal.

Riordan's corner was cut out by goalkeeper Smith but the shot stopper only succeeded in spilling it at the feet of Stephens who wasted no time in sweeping it into the net.

Further changes saw Wotherspoon and Hanlon replaced by youngsters Horner and Taggart - two players from last year's under 19 side.

Hibernian should've scored a fifth goal when Galbraith put Stokes clean through on goal but the striker tried to be too fancy with his finish as Smith saved easily.

The visitors finished the game with ten men after striker Stokes picked up a knock near the end having used all of their substitutes.

Derek Riordan, who took over the captain's armband following the departure of Hogg and Murray early in the second half, was the only player to take part in the full 90 minutes for Hibernian.

Hibernian are action again this coming Tuesday when face Queen of the South at PalmerstonPark, Dumfries.

Dunfermline Athletic: Smith, Woods, McCann, Bell, Dowie, Higgins, Graham, Mason, Phinn, Kirk, Cardle.Subs: Willis, Whyte, Thomson, McDougall, Allison.

Hibernian: Brown, Wotherspoon, Murray, Hogg, Hanlon, McBride, de Graaf, Miller, Nish, Riordan, Rankin.Subs: Hart, Stephens, Stevenson, Stokes, Horner, Galbraith, Taggart, Welsh, Currie, Smith.

Referee: Stephen Finnie.

Attendance: 2,624

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