The Hibs Development Squad ran out 3-2 winners over Dunfermline at Ainslie Park on Tuesday afternoon in the cinch Reserve League.
Goals from Rudi Molotnikov, Malik Zaid, and Josh Landers were enough to give Hibs the victory, despite a second half scare from the Pars.
The first 15 minutes of the game were fairly even before Hibs fully enforced themselves on the game.
Jacob McIntyre had our youngsters’ first attempt at goal, fancying his chances from 20 yards out, however his strike was comfortably saved by the hands of the Dunfermline goalkeeper.
Shortly after, Robbie Hamilton found himself with plenty of space to drive outside the box after skipping his way past a few Pars defenders in the middle of the park. Hamilton’s strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Little in the Dunfermline goal.
On the 25th minute mark, Rudi Molotnikov broke the deadlock having latched onto a smart pass from Hamilton before sidestepping a Dunfermline defender and striking the ball into the top far corner.
Dunfermline tried to respond quickly and tested Murray Johnson in the Hibs goal. Sutherland’s effort from the edge of the area was tipped over the bar.
Hibs then hit the woodwork for the second time when Malik Zaid’s deflected effort came back off the post.
The final chance of the game came for Hibs when Rueben McAllister’s free kick was saved brilliantly by the Dunfermline shot-stopper.
Murray Johnson was called into action early on in the second half, Andrew Tod’s curling effort was turned behind from Johnson.
Just after the 55th minute mark Malik Zaid doubled Hibs’ lead. There was some neat play from several Hibs players before Reuben McAllister played an inch perfect ball into the feet of Zaid who finished low into the bottom corner.
Despite Hibs leading by two, Dunfermline were creating a lot more chances going forward this half, growing into the game.
That pressure paid off with the Pars scoring two quickfire goals to draw the game level.
The first goal came from a Dunfermline free-kick on the left hand side, as Andrew Tod’s ball into the box evaded everyone before finding its way beyond Murray Johnson.
The second was an excellent goal from Taylor Sutherland as he latched onto a ball from McLeod over the top of the Hibs defence before unleashing a powerful effort which left Johnson helpless.
From that point onwards the game was pretty end to end, with both teams cancelling each other on a few occasions.
Both sides had their fair share of chances to win the match, however it was Hibs who did so in the 90th minute.
Jacob MacIntyre, who had been a nuisance all afternoon, wriggled his way through the Dunfermline defence before passing it to Rudi Molotnikov. Rudi played a low ball into the box, which was expertly finished by young striker Josh Landers.
That win moves Hibs up to fourth in the cinch Reserve League table six points behind leaders Queen’s Park with a game in hand. Our youngsters are just one point behind second-placed Dundee.