Report: Hibs Dev Squad 3-3 Albion Rovers (2-4 Pens)
The Hibernian Development Squad were beaten on penalties by Albion Rovers in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Guillaume Beuzelin’s youngsters put in a valiant effort against the Lowland League side, in what was an entertaining game at Ainslie Park.
Kanayo Megwa led out the Hibs Dev Squad on Tuesday evening; he was the only members of the starting XI that was over the age of 18.
The young Hibs side started the game well and created a half chance on the counter after just six minutes. Josh Landers’ left-footed effort was just too high and bounced off the underside of the bar.
Despite good pressure from the Hibees, it was the visitors who took the lead after 17 minutes. Bright Prince showed great strength to hold off a young Hibs defender and slipped the ball to Dom McMahon. The Albion Rovers man fired a right-footed effort into the bottom corner.
That goal didn’t deter Beuzelin’s youngsters, though, who found an equaliser just three minutes later. An expertly taken free-kick from Reuben McAllister beat the Rovers’ ‘keeper and found the back of the net.
Neither side created many chances after the equaliser, although Bright Prince was proving to be a handful for the Hibs back-line and tested Freddie Owens on occasion.
In the 53rd minute, though, Albion Rovers took the lead again. Callum Home met a Paul Kennedy corner and fired a header into the back of the net.
That goal sparked the game into action with both sides creating good opportunities. Josh Landers again came close this time his low-right footed effort struck the post from a difficult angle.
Moments after that chance, though, Hibs found an equaliser. 17-year-old Jamie McMurdo – who recently signed his first professional deal – received the ball from Landers and placed a left-footed effort into the back of the net.
In the 79th minute Hibs thought they’d scored the winner. McMurdo grabbed his second of the game with an excellent left-footed finish from a tight angle.
The young Hibees were trying to hang on, but Albion Rovers were given a life-line when the referee awarded a penalty after Adam McMillan went down in the area. Michael Paton stepped up but had his effort brilliantly saved by Freddie Owens.
That euphoria was short-lived, though, as Paton made up for his penalty miss and found an equaliser in the last minute of added time.
The game went straight to penalties and unfortunately Kanayo Megwa and Reuben McAllister saw their spot-kicks saved, which saw Albion Rovers win 4-2 on penalties.