Hibernian F.C. Match Reports
William Hill Scottish Cup
Hibernian 1 Kilmarnock 0
Saturday 4th February 2012
A terrific battling performance from Hibernian this afternoon at Easter Road saw the men in green record a priceless victory over Kilmarnock.
Eoin Doyle's 14th minute goal proved enough on an afternoon when the bitterly cold conditions failed to dampen the red-hot action on the field.
Hibernian dominated the first half and had a number of opportunities to extend their advantage however their slender lead look precarious as the visitors stormed back after the interval.
However, there was no way through for Kilmarnock as the spirited Hibs defence put their bodies on the line to preserve their lead.
Captain James McPake led the way with a no-nonsense, brave performance; however this was true team performance as Hibs looked a completely different side to the one struggling in the Scottish Premier League.
Manager Pat Fenlon made four changes to last weekend's side with debutants Matthew Doherty and Pa Kujabi joining Garry O'Connor and Graham Stack in the starting XI.
The new-look Hibees started the game on the front foot and took the game to Kilmarnock from kick-off, with the Ayrshire side struggling to contain the rampant hosts.
Tom Soares was desperately unlucky not to score a goal on his Easter Road bow after a 50-yard run and shot that had to be beaten away acrobatically by Cameron Bell.
Hibernian had the ball in the net in the 5th minute when James McPake headed in from close range however his celebrations were cut short by the referee's whistle after the match official spotted a foul on the Bell by O'Connor.
Kilmarnock had no answer to Hibernian's powerful attacking play and it was no surprise when the Edinburgh men took the lead in the 14th minute.
Soares did well on the right flank and his cut back was smashed down into the ground and into the net by Doyle for his second goal in the green and white.
The Irishman went close to a second goal just moments later when he got his head to a David Wotherspoon cross however Manuel Pascali did well to block.
It took 33 minutes for the visitors to create a chance at goal and it took a fine save from Stack at his near post to stop a fine shot from James Dayton after the winger came inside off the left wing.
Kenny Shiels' men had an even better opportunity as half time ebbed closer when Danny Racchi picked out Paul Heffernan at the near post however the Killie striker could only head wide under pressure from Paul Hanlon.
Full-back Kujabi had been impressive all afternoon and it was his trickery that put Doyle through on goal in the 52nd minutes only for Bell to save the striker's effort.
A terrific shot from Racchi had to be beaten away by Stack to preserve Hibs lead as the visitors came more into the game in the second period.
Kilmarnock dominated the possession for the vast majority of the second period but came up against a home defence determined to give nothing away.
In 80th minute Heffernan evaded his marker before letting fly from the edge of the penalty area but could find no way beyond Stack.
The visitors put the home side under incredible pressure as the game headed towards its conclusion and it took another fine stop from Stack to keep out a curling effort from James Fowler.
Kilmarnock threw everything they could at a Hibernian in the closing stages with the men in green putting everything and anything they could in front of the ball to block it.
Despite a nervous last few moments Fenlon's men held on to claim a deserved win and move into the next round of the competition.
Hibernian: Stack, Doherty, Kujabi, Hanlon, McPake, Stevenson, Wotherspoon (Scott 82'), Osbourne, O'Connor (O'Donovan 71'), Doyle (Sproule 71'), Soares.Substitutes not used: Brown, Francomb.
Kilmarnock: Bell, Gordon, Hay (Silva 83'), Fowler, Pascali, Nelson, Racchi, Kelly, Heffernan, Dayton (Van Tornhout 71'), Shiels.Substitutes not used: Letheren, Toshney, Kroca.
Referee: Iain Brines.
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