Wee Hibees Narrowly Lose Out To Sheffield United

Hibernian Under-19s were narrowly defeated in their first pre-season fixture, losing 1-0 to an experienced Sheffield United team.

The boys fought hard against the Blades - who were made up largely of their Under-21 Premier League Professional Development League side - but were beaten by a second-half header.

Sheffield United took control in the early stages, holding most of the possession. Despite this, Hibs remained tight in defence and did not yield any early chances.

A water break was necessary in each half as temperatures soared toward 30 degrees in York. For a period after the first-half stoppage, Hibs looked dangerous on the break but no opener could be found.

Despite Hibs’ emergence into the game, United continued to threaten themselves — with English side clipping the crossbar and firing wide in quick succession around the half-hour mark.

The Blades’ came close one more time before the break, with Zach Giggs excellently bursting through the middle of the park and sprinting 50 yards before firing wide.

Half-time came and went in the Yorkshire sun, with the Blades grabbing the opener not long after the restart as Jevan Beattie headed home the only goal of the afternoon from a corner.

Hibs had a chance to equalise minutes later from a corner of their own, but no-one in green and white was able to divert the cross goal-ward before the United keeper scooped up the ball. 

A final chance presented itself to Hibs with minutes remaining as Dean Cleland surged forward after being neatly played in behind by Jackson Thomson, though the forward was blocked out by the recovering centre-back.

Starting XI: Mallon, Whittaker, McGrath, Gillie, Bruce, Cleland, McSporran, Jimenez, McDonald, Calder, Davidson.

Substitutes: Brown, Waldman, Shankland, Downie, Thomson.