Hibernian F.C. Match Report
Bolton Wanderers 0 Hibernian 0
Jussi Jaaskelainen Testimonial Match
Saturday 8th August 2009

John Hughes made two changes from the side that drew in mid-week against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Out went Kevin McCann and Merouane Zemmama, who pulled up in training yesterday, to be replaced by David Van Zanten and Derek Riordan.

image Following the pre-match pleasantries it was down to business and Hibernian got the action under way, stroking the ball around the park confidently. It did not take Bolton long to settle into their rhythm either and they created the first chance of the match on 4 minutes when a cross from Ricketts was headed just wide by Gardner.

The Bolton wide player was involved again seconds later when he charged down a poor pass from Ma-Kalambay to Hogg before the defender could clear. Luckily for the Edinburgh men the ball went behind for a goal-kick before Gardner could exploit the situation. On 8 minutes Kevin Davies was late with a challenge on Bamba that left the Hibernian defender requiring treatment and earned the Bolton player a word of warning from referee Halsey.

Bolton kept up their early pressure and a powerful shot from Muamba was blocked for a corner kick. Just as they did in mid-week away to Blackburn Rovers, Hibernian began to create chances of their own after weathering the early pressure from the home side. The Easter Road men's first effort on target came on 14 minutes when a delicious free kick from Riordan curled away from the defensive wall and towards the near post, only for Jaaskelainen to push it away to safety - the Veteran goalkeeper taking no chances and deciding not to try and catch the ball after it took a bounce just in front of him.

That chance was followed by another soon after however Stevenson found his shot from 12 yards blocked by Cahill. There were cries from the home supporters for a penalty kick after Taylor's header appeared to strike the arm of Murray - referee Halsey waved play on and Ricketts shot was charged down by Murray once again.

The action was at times tasty with some very strong challenges coming in from both teams. Gardner fired wide of goal from the edge of the penalty area before Taylor attempted to beat Ma-Kalambay at his near post with a right footed shot that the goalkeeper dealt with competently. Bolton were putting the Hibernian defence under pressure and they almost opened the scoring when Ricketts got beyond McBride on the right and his cross to the back post was headed just over by Kevin Davies.

Hibernian had Ma-Kalambay to thank for keeping the scores level when the goalkeeper threw himself to his right to push a rasping volley from Kevin Davies around the post for a corner kick. On the counter attack Hibernian almost scored when Nish showed a clean pair of heels to get away from Cahill before trying to lob Jaaskelainen from 30 yards. Unfortunately for the big striker the ball landed the wrong side of the post.

After playing so well Hibernian almost gifted their English opponents a glorious chance to make the breakthrough when Hogg was caught in possession, but before Gardner could advance into the penalty area he was hauled down by Van Zanten. From the resulting free kick Sean Davies fired well off target.

The final chance of the half fell to Bolton when Elmander was put clean through on goal, but Ma-Kalambay made himself big and blocked superbly. The ball rebounded to Robinson on the edge of the penalty area and with Ma-Kalambay stranded, the defender looked to chip the ball over him but his effort was just too high. It was a fine first half performance from Hibernian and similar to the mid-week match against Blackburn Rovers, perhaps with the exception that the Easter Road side were getting the ball into more dangerous areas of the park.

Half Time: Bolton Wanderers 0 Hibernian 0

Bolton got the second half underway and were quickly on the offensive and testing goalkeeper Ma-Kalambay again. Gardner played the ball forward to the feet of Elmander and his lay off was struck towards goal by the on running Sean Davis - his shot was straight at Ma-Kalambay who gathered comfortably.

imageThe home side carved out another opportunity, this time Taylor's low shot across the face of goal finished the wrong side of the post for the Bolton man. Hibernian's best chances were coming from the counter attack and on one such an occasion Murray burst forward to the edge of the penalty area only for Cahill to block his shot. The ball however fell to Rankin, but on his weaker right foot the midfielder was unable to direct his volley on target.

Hibernian's first substitution came on 60 minutes when McCann replaced Van Zanten just as the noise levels in the stadium were cranked up another couple of notches as both sets of supporters got behind their teams. Wotherspoon replaced Cregg on 68 minutes before McBride had a shot from 25 yards deflected wide of Jaaskelainen's goal by Muamba. At the other end, Ma-Kalambay was quickly off his line to save at the feet of Gardner after the Bolton attacker had burst clear of Hogg and McCann.

The action was frantic and played at an extremely high tempo. Riordan had two efforts in goal as the game entered its final quarter of an hour. First he had a shot from 25 yards deflected wide by Muamba for a corner before a sent a shot fizzing across the face of Jaaskelainen's goal and just wide.

Bolton should have broken the deadlock when Taylor laid the ball of perfectly for Cahill to run onto but the big defender shot wide of goal from 12 yards from an unchallenged position. Hibernian made further changed on 82 minutes when Thicot and Currie came on for Stevenson and McBride. With 4 minutes remaining Hibernian had the best chance of the game when Riordan's cross into the middle was left by Knight for his goalkeeper; Wotherspoon stole in to volley towards goal. Unfortunately for the Hibernian substitute his effort was straight at Jaaskelainen who produced a fine reaction stop.

That was the last action of a game that had both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats. Both sides created a number of chances to take victory, but in the end it will serve as fine preparation for the serious action which gets underway next weekend.

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Cahill, Robinson, Ricketts, Taylor, Knight, Muamba, Kevin Davies, Elmander, Gardner, Sean Davis. Subs: Al Habsi, Riga, Shittu, Samuel, Hunt, Basham, Obadeyi, Steinsson, Mark Davies.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, Van Zanten, Murray, Hogg, Bamba, McBride, Stevenson, Cregg, Nish, Riordan, Rankin. Subs: Flynn, McCann, Currie, Wotherspoon.

Referee: Mark Halsey