Kilmarnock 0 Hibs U19s 1

The wee Hibees extended their unbeaten league run to 21 matches following a 1-0 away victory over Kilmarnock. 

Substitute striker Jay Gallacher fired in the only goal of the game at Rugby Park to ensure Hibs remained the only CAS Elite U19 League side to not suffer a single league loss so far this season. 

Hibernian U19s: Mallon, Shankland (Riddell 65’), Gillie, McSporran, McGrath, Bruce, Davidson (Downie 82’), McDonald (Burns 36’), Jimenez, McMurdo (Gallacher 82’), MacDonald (McNeill 82’).

Unused Substitutes: Brown.

Darren McGregor’s side went toe-to-toe with the hosts in Ayrshire in the early stages, with both sides remaining tight in defence while the attacks tried to exploit what little space there was to utilise against the stern backlines. 

Hibs would have the first chance of the match inside 15 minutes, as a long-range Arran McSporran diagonal pass found Logan Jimenez in behind. The number nine cleverly stayed onside, but his looping effort bounced wide of Corey Armour’s post.

Seeking a quick retaliation, Killie would take two shots at goal from way out. The first forced a relatively simple stop from Ryan Mallon, while the second would require the intervention of Joseph McGrath to turn the ball behind. A stabbed effort from the corner delivery, after Hibs initially failed to clear, was dealt with promptly by our keeper.

On 20 minutes, Callum MacDonald would cut inside from the left flank onto his right foot intent on finding the net, though his low strike dragged wide of the post.

MacDonald would play his part in the next Hibs chance before the half-hour mark. The winger’s channel ball caused trouble for the Killie defence, allowing Josh McDonald to run onto a loose ball forced by the intense pressure applied from Jamie McMurdo. The midfielder took the ball down in his stride, but Armour saved low to keep out the grounded attempt on goal. 

Six minutes after the second-half restart, MacDonald would come close to finding the opener. Picked out deep in the box by an incisive Luke Davidson cutback, the wide-man opened his body well but blazed his effort over the bar. 

As both teams fought for control, it would be Killie wing-back Ben Brannan who threatened next. Standing over a free-kick over 25 yards from goal, the youngster put too much power on the strike and watched on as it cleared the crossbar. 

McSporran was soon called upon to provide a crucial block from a close-range Killie strike, but it was Davidson who passed up the best chance of the match just shy of the hour mark. 

The young attacker intercepted a slack pass from Armour to burst beyond the last two defenders excellently with his first touch, but saw his low placed finish well kept out by a widespread Armour, who atoned for his near-costly error. 

The home team would see a free-kick, directly on the corner of the penalty area, crash off the woodwork soon after Davidson’s opportunity. 

Armour was cautioned on 78 minutes after recklessly bringing down McMurdo, who rushed through on goal while in pursuit of a loose backpass, as the pair clashed in the air 25 yards from goal.

It was a necessary foul from the Killie keeper, as McMurdo looked likely to take on the last man on the line to score had he been able to stay on his feet.

Davidson’s subsequent free-kick effort was held by Armour at the second attempt.

The wee Hibees would finally break the deadlock on 88 minutes through young forward Gallacher, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes.

The youngster snuck in behind his marker to meet McSporran’s tremendous floated cross; flicking on the wicked delivery with a smart diving header from six yards out to secure a vital win for the youngsters.