Report: Hamilton 1-2 Hibs Under-18s
Hibernian FC’s Under-18s continued their positive vein of form by coming from behind to beat 10-men Hamilton Academical 2-1 at New Douglas Park.
The hosts took the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first half, but late headers from Dean Cleland and Adam Buckley sealed the three points.
The opening half an hour of the game was an even affair with both sides creating chances. The best of those fell to Cleland, firstly he was slipped through the back-line, but fired his effort over the bar, then 10 minutes after the young striker found space in the area, but struck the crossbar with a left-footed effort.
It was the hosts who took the lead, though, from the spot. A long ball over the top caused problems for the Hibs back-line before the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on a Hamilton attacker. Chris Condy stepped up and placed the spot kick past Ryan Mallon in the Hibs net
McGregor’s youngsters continued to push forward to try and find an equaliser, and that hard work paid off in the 78th minute. Hibs pressed Hamilton, who were trying to play out from the back, and won the ball just outside the Accies’ area.
The ball fell to Josh McDonald, who turned his man, and whipped a beautiful cross into the box, which was head home by Dean Cleland.
Just two minutes later, Hamilton went down to 10 as Lewis Hodgkiss saw red.
That buoyed our youngsters who kept pushing the hosts back and found a winner in the 88th minute. Hibs took a corner quickly, which caught Hamilton off guard, and the set piece flew perfectly to an unmarked Adam Buckey in the area. His header flew straight past the ‘keeper into the back of the net.
That win means Hibs still top the Under-18 Elite CAS League, three points ahead of second-placed Kilmarnock. Rangers, in third, are four points behind us with three games in hand.
Photos: Maurice Dougan