Hibernian F.C. Match Reports
Co-operative Insurance Cup
Hibernian 3 Brechin City 0
Wednesday 26th August 2009

John Hughes opted to make four changes from the side that defeated Falkirk at the weekend with Ma-Kalambay, Van Zanten, Bamba and Nish all dropping out. In came goalkeeper Stack for his Hibernian debut, while David Wotherspoon slotted in at right back and there were starts for Benjelloun and Murray.

Hibernian got the action underway and there was an early chance for the home side when Stokes showed excellent close control to take the ball beyond Walker before setting up strike partner Riordan. The forward, spotting Nelson off his line, attempted to lob the goalkeeper but his effort was just too high as the Brechin goal survived an early scare.

Hibernian were playing a patient passing game and the partnership of Riordan and Stokes looked very promising indeed. Former Heart of Midlothian midfielder Janczyk almost gifted Hibernian the opening goal when his cross-field pass was snatched by Riordan, the striker immediately spun and shot for goal - unlucky to see his effort fire wide. The breakthrough however was only delayed momentarily and on 10 minutes Hanlon's pass to the edge of the penalty area found Riordan and a his deft chip gave goalkeeper Nelson no chance.

A promising burst forward from Brechin midfielder Fusco almost carved out an opening for the visitors but the quick reactions of goalkeeper Stack prevented him from levelling. Anthony Stokes came close to his first Hibernian goal when he cut inside Walker and tried to beat Nelson at his near post but the veteran goalkeeper did well low to his right to push the ball around the post for a corner kick.

From the resulting corner kick Hibernian did increase their lead when Riordan's cross was diverted beyond Nelson by the unfortunate Nimmo and into the net. Brechin could have pulled a goal back immediately when Janczyk was left with only Stack to beat, but despite getting the ball over the goalkeeper the midfielder was off target with his shot - it was an expensive miss for the visitors who would have no further clear-cut opportunities on the Hibernian goal.

A fantastic through ball from Benjelloun put Stoke clean through on goal, the striker chose to take his shot early and was unlucky to shoot just inches wide. Brechin full back Dyer was then fortunate to escape a yellow card for a late challenge on Benjelloun, the referee perhaps swayed by the fact the Hibernian striker was quickly back on his feet. It could and perhaps should have been 3-0 soon after when Rankin's right foot shot struck the inside of Nelson's far post, the rebound fell kindly to Stokes who seemed set to score but he sent his shot on the turn wide from close range.

From Brechin's first corner kick of the evening the ball broke to Janczyk on the edge of the penalty area, he steadied himself before firing through a ruck of players but Stack gathered with ease. Three minutes from the half time break Benjelloun turned Seeley inside-out before unleashing a powerful left foot drive that struck the post. Seconds later Hibernian carved out another opportunity when Hanlon's cut back found Rankin and his shot across goal finished inches wide of the far post.

At times in the first half Hibernian were guilty of perhaps overdoing the build up play and this resulted in John Hughes screaming at his players on a number of occasions. But all-in-all it had been a decent first half in patches from Edinburgh side who should have had more than two goals to show for their efforts.

Half Time: Hibernian 2 Brechin City 0

There were no changes at the interval and Brechin City got the second half underway. There was an early chance for Stokes when he was picked out inside the visitor's penalty area but his turn and shot was off target. On 48 minutes a deep corner kick from Rankin picked out the unmarked Riordan and his first time volley was just off target.

Hibernian did eventually find a third goal and it was a moment of individual brilliance from full back Paul Hanlon. Gathering the ball wide on the left Hanlon cut inside Walker onto his weaker right foot and produced a stunning finish curling the ball around the diving Nelson and into the far corner of the net for his second career goal.

On the hour mark Nimmo was replaced by McGroarty before Hogg was fortunate to escape a booking after he brought down Docherty as the Brechin player was breaking away on the left hand side. Hibernian's first change of the evening came on 62 minutes when Benjelloun was replaced by Kurtis Byrne - the youngster making his competitive debut for the club.

Further changes followed with Harty replacing King for the visitors but it did little to stem the flow of green and white attacks on the Brechin goal. It looked like it was not going to be Stokes' night when he was again prevented from scoring his first goal for the club on 66 minutes. Rankin's cut back found the striker in the middle and he stabbed the ball towards goal only to be thwarted by an excellent save from Nelson low to his near post.

Rankin was replaced by Stevenson on 67 minutes and soon after Hogg went close to his first goal of the season when he slid in to meet a deep cross from Wotherspoon, the Hibernian captain connected with the ball but could do little other than scoop the ball over the top of Nelson's goal. John Hughes made his final change of the evening when McBride was replaced by Nish on 75 minutes. Stokes had another glorious opportunity to score when Riordan's cut back found the striker unmarked at the penalty spot, but with time on his side the former Falkirk player snatched at his effort and sent it over the top.

The home side continued to waste the chances that came their way when Byrne put Nish through on goal only for the substitute to slice his effort wide from 16 yards under pressure from McLean.

The one-way traffic continued unabated and with just 2 minutes remaining Byrne turned Seeley beautifully to create space for a shot and his powerful drive was well saved by Nelson. In time added on Nish fired wide from Riordan's cut back and that was the last action of note as Hibernian moved comfortably into the next round.

Hibernian: Stack, Wotherspoon, Hanlon, Hogg, Murray, McBride, Benjelloun, Cregg, Stokes, Riordan, Rankin. Subs: Nish, Thicot, Stevenson, Byrne, Flynn.

Brechin City: Nelson, Walker, Dyer, Seeley, McLean, Janczyk, Nimmo, Fusco, McAllister, King, Docherty. Subs: Harty, McGroarty, Canning, Cowan, Scott.