Steve Kean’s squad produced an accomplished performance to cruise to a 6-1 victory at New Countess Park.
Hibs imposed their authority early on, controlling possession and threatening with balls in behind, with Dunbar's back line struggling to deal with Josh O’Connor’s pace.
This pressure soon turned into chances as Allan Delferriere’s ambitious volley from outside the area flew just wide after the goalkeeper’s mishit clearance.
After further efforts on goal from O’Connor and Robbie Hamilton, the deadlock was broken on 17 minutes after the ball kindly fell to the feet of Allan Delferriere on the penalty spot who fired it in the roof of the net through a crowd of Dunbar players.
Only three minutes later, Hibs had the chance to double their lead from the spot after Robbie Hamilton was brought down just inside the area. However, Josh O’Connor was denied by Dunbar's ‘keeper Sean Brennan who guessed correctly with an impressive save to his left.
Brennan’s heroics continued to frustrate Hibs, until the 36th minute when Dylan Tait released Josh O’Connor down the right whose low cross was turned in by Robbie Hamilton.
Hibs then added another on the stroke of half-time after Robbie Hamilton brilliantly cut inside from the left to find Captain Murray Aiken who found the net with a composed first-time finish to make it 3-0.
After the break, Hibs continued where they had left off, maintaining their grip on possession. Just before the hour mark, Robbie Hamilton again earned a penalty for Hibs, this time coolly slotted into the bottom left corner by Dylan Tait; a fitting reward for an eye-catching midfield performance from the 20-year-old.
The home side responded soon after with United’s Johnny Edmond heading in at the back post after Captain Dean Whitson’s flick-on from the free kick. Although frustrated at this concession, it was the only blow to otherwise solid performances from Jacob Blaney and Kenayo Megwa at centre-back who were barely troubled all evening, as was Murray Johnson who was steady and commanding when called upon in goal. Dunbar rarely threatened from wide areas too, thanks to both Josh McCulloch and Owen Haste nullifying the home side’s wide men, adding to their range of passing which reinforced the attacking threat.
Hibs' attacking prowess continued after a killer pass from Joao Balde found Josh O’Connor whose dink across goal evaded the ‘keeper, with substitute Rudi Allan-Molotnikov tapping in from six yards to finish off a well-constructed move to make it 5-1 in the 73rd minute.
Indeed, Steve Kean’s substitutions made a noticeable impact on the game, with Alfie Smith and Harry Wright fitting in seamlessly to continue the starting XI’s good work, and were integral to most of Hibs’ attacks late in the game.
Hibs continued to threaten, with Joao Balde denied one-on-one by an inspired Sean Brennan in goal, and Josh Hamilton flashing a left-footed strike just beyond the far post.
On 88 minutes, Hibs added a sixth, with Harry Wright’s cutback from the right finding substitute Jacob MacIntyre, who took it past a Dunbar defender to then fire low into the bottom left, a well-deserved goal. His excellent display epitomised the contribution of Steve Kean's changes to the performance.
Although a significant margin of victory, it was a well-earned result for the Hibees whose work on and off the ball was ultimately too much for Dunbar United.
An undoubtedly productive evening in East Lothian for the Development Squad.
Photo: Maurice Dougan
