Berwick Rangers 0 Hibernian 3
Saturday 2nd July 2011
Garry O'Connor wasted no time in settling back into his old routine as he put Hibernian onto the victory path in today's opening pre-season fixture at Shielfield Park against Berwick Rangers.
It would prove a fairly comfortable afternoon in the scorching summer sun for the men from Edinburgh with 21 players getting a run-out at various stages.
O'Connor scored the opening goal just before the interval after being brought down inside the penalty box by Andy McNeil.
He gave the former Hibernian goalkeeper no chance with a powerful spot kick - straight down the middle to seal a dream goal scoring return.
A deflected shot from Victor Palsson and a composed finish from Akpo Sodje saw Hibs score twice more after the break to complete the win.
A big following from Edinburgh travelled south hoping to catch a glimpse of the club's new signings.
Unfortunately Sean O'Hanlon wasn't risked after picking up a slight knock but O'Connor and Ivan Sproule were handed their debuts for the club.
Hibernian made a lively start with both Sproule and O'Connor probing the home defence without testing goalkeeper McNeil.
The Berwick shot-stopper was called into action after 10 minutes to beat away a rasping drive from Callum Booth before Chris Townsley hooked the ball clear.
Defender Chris McLeod headed just over from a corner kick by Paul Currie as the home side created the best opportunity of a fairly quiet opening half-hour.
Berwick were happy to hit on the counter attack as Hibernian enjoyed a lot of possession in an around the home penalty area.
McNeil was a busy man during the first half and he had to acrobatically push Lewis Horner's dipping drive over the crossbar to ensure parity.
He then denied David Stephens with a close range block after the ball dropped at the big defender's feet following a corner kick from David Wotherspoon.
Hibernian eventually opened the scoring in the final seconds of the first half after McNeil brought down O'Connor inside the penalty area.
The big striker struck the ball powerfully down the middle, giving the goalkeeper no chance, to net his first goal in a Hibs shirt for five years.
Colin Calderwood made nine changes during the interval to give as many players as possible the opportunity to take part in the action.
Shortly after the break Berwick wasted a glorious chance to equalize after Damon Gray was put through on goal.
He drew out goalkeeper Graham Stack before slipping the ball across goal for Paul Currie only for Michael Hart to clear the danger.
Berwick was immediately made to pay for their failure to take the opportunity when it arose as Hibernian went up the park and doubled their lead.
Substitute Victor Palsson's shot from 20-yards took a deflection off Townsley to beat McNeil.
It was soon 3-0 as Akpo Sodje linked-up with youngster David Crawford to exploit a big gap in the home defence before rounding the goalkeeper and slipping the ball into the empty net.
Berwick Rangers: McNeil, Walker (Andy McLean 72'), Deland, Townsley (Campbell 82'), McLeod, L. Currie, McLaren (Maxwell 63'), P. Currie (Gillon 77'), Gray (Graham 72'), Greenhill (McDonald 63'), Ponton (Smith 63'). Subs: Gall, McLean, Maxwell, Smith, McDonald, Graham, Gillon, Sheerin, Campbell.
Hibernian: Stack (Antell 63'), Taggart (Hart 46'), Booth (Smith 46'), Stephens (Horner 77'), Murray (Hanlon 46'), Wotherspoon (De Graaf 46'), Thornhill (Palsson 46'), Horner (Scott 46'), Stevenson (Crawford 46'), Sproule (Galbraith 46'), O'Connor (Sodje 46'). Subs: Antell, Hart, Hanlon, De Graaf, Galbraith, Scott, Palsson, Sodje, Smith, Crawford.
Referee: Calum Murray.
Attendance: 1,410
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