Killie
made several notable changes from last week’s defeat to Dunfermline. The
ever-impressive Steven Naismith was
recalled to a starting berth in the attack, Shaun Dillon returned at
left-back and Martin Hardie slotted into central defence. Most
interesting, however, were the changes to midfield with not only the
welcome return of Alan Mahood after a lengthy injury absence, but also
the fielding of a trialist alongside him (I caught this guy’s first name
as Peter but can report no more unfortunately).
And,
with only a couple of minutes on the clock, it was the trialist who
sparked the move that led to the opening goal. A lovely weighted through
ball found the advancing Naismith on the left wing, who crossed for
Dargo to smack home from close range. Hibs almost equalised within
minutes, a good passing move ending in a frantic goal-line clearance
from Killie.
For
the bulk of the first half, however, Killie maintained dominancy with
the attacking pace of Murray, Dargo and Naismith causing the Hibs
rearguard problems. Killie almost doubled their lead in the 16th
minute when the Murray found Dargo at the back post, but the striker
volleyed just over. The play swayed from end to end, but Killie’s
trialist had the only other clear chance of the first half, but his long
range effort was well held by Hyldgaard.
Killie
swapped Gilroy for Mahood at half-time, but the youngster hardly had
time to settle as Hibs started the second period with a flourish. And,
echoing their senior counterparts efforts just 2 days earlier, the
Easter Road side scored two quick goals – both from the impressive
Stephen Dobbie. His first came in 47 minutes as he latched onto a headed
clearance from Naismith and drilled the ball home. A mere minute later
he left Hardie tackling the grass and smacked a peach of a goal from the
edge of the area to make it 2-1.
Hibs
continued to surge forward with 16 year-old Jamie McCluskey working well
up the flank. Killie’s Jamie Hamill was next to threaten, though, and he
passed up two glorious opportunities to head home from close range –
both times heading off-target when it looked easier to score.
The
last 20 minutes were played at a frenetic pace with chances at both ends
as Killie looked for the leveller. For Hibs Baillie came close with a
header and Dobbie almost completed his hat-trick with a blistering shot
that rattled the cross-bar. In-between Dargo was booked for bringing
down a Hibs attacker bearing down on goal. It was Dargo, however, who
completed the scoring with a fine near-post header from a corner in 78
minutes. Killie pushed for the winner with Murray and Naismith coming
close, but the final two chances fell to that man Dobbie with Meldrum
saving well on both counts.
Overall there was much to pleased about in this game, especially the
performances of Dargo, Naismith and Murray. The trialist started well
and looks a thoughtful player comfortable on the ball, however he did
fade a little in the second half.
Killie: Meldrum; McGregor (Cochrane 80), Hamill, Hardie, Dillon;
Canning, Mahood (Gilroy 45), Trialist (Johnstone 80), Murray; Dargo
,
Naismith. Subs (not used): Smith (GK), Boyle.
