Goals in each half from Darren McGregor and Jair Tavares helped a Hibs side draw against Dunbar United.
A downpour prior to kick-off created a sleek playing surface at New Countess Park, with a full stand of spectators watching on in a typically sodden Scottish summer evening.
The unpredictable weather didn’t seem to worry the home side too much as they came bursting out of the blocks, applying pressure down the right-hand side and earning their first corner of the match within the opening two minutes.
A pinpoint delivery from the resulting corner was met round the back post and headed powerfully into the ground, but Max Boruc was equal to the effort and got down smartly to tip the ball past his post.
Despite the match taking place in the early stages of the new season, Dunbar looked to be fit and firing and deservedly took the lead in the fourth minute.
Some good work down the left-hand side allowed a United winger to float a ball across the 18-yard box, missing Hibee heads and being expertly finished by United’s No.14 with a first-time volley at the far post.
The home side were gifted with a penalty four minutes after their opener thanks to some confusion in the Hibs backline, with United’s No.14 slotting the ball into Boruc’s bottom left corner, doubling his tally for the evening.
The young Hibs’ side began to settle into the match and pulled a goal back in the 12th minute.
Oscar MacIntyre’s determined work from left full back won us a free kick in a dangerous area.
Jair Tavares whipped in a teasing ball, deep into the Dunbar box, that was headed into the top right corner by trialist on the night, Darren McGregor.
Our left-hand side looked to be the danger area with Oscar MacIntyre and Jair Tavares looking to drive at the Dunbar defence at every given opportunity.
For the second time in seven minutes, a mazy run from MacIntyre caused disarray at the back, leading to a United centre back bringing him down inside the box.
Tavares stepped up to the plate but put the penalty wide of the target.
The missed opportunity didn’t seem to knock Tavares’ confidence too much, as he continued to demand the ball and wear his marker down.
On the half hour mark, some silky dribbling from the Portuguese winger created enough space for Malik Zaid on the edge of the area, but his resulting effort was blocked.
We kick started the second half in the same way we left the first, dominant, levelling the tie within four minutes of the restart.
A long ball over the top of the Dunbar defence was chased down by Tavares. His blistering pace allowed him to coast past the on-rushing ‘keeper and pass the ball into the empty net.
Hibs kept their foot on the gas following the equaliser and were pushing for a third.
Harry Smith and Malik Zaid both went close, but it was Tavares that continued to be the brightest spark, forcing United’s keeper into an important save just past the hour mark.
Dunbar appeared to tire as the game progressed, as we took complete control of the game, creating two golden opportunities in the 71st and 75th minute respectively.
A calamitous error at the back saw Jair Tavares one on one with their ‘keeper, easily rounding him once again. This time round his weak footed effort could only find the side netting.
Tavares was at the heart of things following his missed chance, tearing through the middle of the park and slipping in second half substitute, Alfie Smith, who looked destined to steal a late winner.
Smith kept composed and dinked the goalkeeper, only for one of United’s centre backs to desperately head the ball off the line.
Some understandingly tired legs led to a fairly quiet finish to the game, but an inexperienced Hibs side can be proud to come away from Dunbar with an important 90 minutes in the tank as they continue to prepare for the upcoming season.
Hibs Dev Squad Starting XI
Boruc, Wright, Whittaker, Bulloch, Hastie, McGregor, McGarva, MacIntyre, Hamilton, Zaid, Tavares.