U18s Report: Kilmarnock 0 Hibs 4
The wee Hibees secured the CAS Elite Under-18 League title with a dominant 4-0 away victory over Kilmarnock on Friday evening!
Jamie McMurdo and Josh McDonald propelled the boys into an early two-goal lead, before Dean Cleland grabbed two goals of his own to round out the all-important win.
It would be the hosts who threatened first as Reuben Cooper curled one just over the bar from 20 yards inside 70 seconds. It would not take long for Hibs to take control, however.
Seeking retaliation for the early scare, the wee Hibees took the lead — and placed one hand firmly on the league title trophy — on four minutes through a magnificent 25-yard strike from Jamie McMurdo that left Kilmarnock keeper Craig Campbell stranded in the centre of his goal.
On 10 minutes, Killie number nine Shay McKeown was denied at point-blank range by Ryan Mallon after a botched clearance landed at the striker’s feet inside the six-yard box.
Hibs would double their lead in incredible fashion on 20 minutes through Josh McDonald. The midfielder’s unassuming corner evaded everyone in the mixer and sneakily curled in at the back post.
Rushing into a commanding lead had Darren McGregor’s side coasting underneath the beaming Ayrshire sun. Gladly holding onto possession, Hibs just had to bide their time before snatching their third on 33 minutes.
As the hosts committed men forward, Logan Jimenez spearheaded a lightning-quick counter and effortlessly squared the ball to Dean Cleland, who stabbed the ball home into an empty net.
Six minutes after the restart, Jimenez and Cleland broke through Killie’s high line to recreate a carbon copy of their earlier combination — stretching the Hibees’ lead to an unassailable four goals.
A smattering of half-chances fell for each side in the wake of the fourth goal, with Adam Buckley’s acrobatic effort denied at close range before Aaron Davis’ placed shot was held by Mallon up the other end.
With 25 to play, centre-back Lewis Gillie came very close to finding a fifth as his glancing header from a near-post corner delivery whistled past the back post.
Jimenez would tee up his strike partner for a third time with 15 minutes remaining, though a fine stop from outstretched leg of Killie keeper Campbell denied Cleland his hat-trick.
The Hibees comfortably saw out the remainder of match to seal the league title, as well as confirm our involvement in the 2025/26 UEFA Youth League next season, with one match remaining!
Hibs XI: Mallon, Whittaker (Sporran), Calder, Gillie, McGrath, Bruce, Cleland, Buckley (McNeill), Jimenez (Macdonald), McDonald, McMurdo (Davidson).
Unused Substitute: Vautherin.