U18s Report: Motherwell 2 Hibs 5

The wee Hibees continued their unbeaten start to the CAS Elite League with a convincing 5-2 victory over Motherwell on Tuesday afternoon.

Darren McGregor’s side made it three wins from their first four games, after sweeping aside Motherwell at Dalziel Park.

Goals from Josh Landers (x2), Dean Cleland, Jamie McMurdo and Luke Davidson secured the points for the wee Hibees in what was an impressive away performance.

It was the hosts who took the lead just after the 10-minute mark. The ‘Well striker got across his man at the front post before steering a diving header goalward and into the back of the net.

That lead did not last long, however, and within two minutes we were back on level terms. Josh Landers latched onto a long ball over the top, the Motherwell defender was caught out by the wind and Landers took full advantage – calmly slotting the ball home on the half-volley.

The Hibees then suffered a blow when Captain Joseph McGrath was forced off after a head clash at a set-piece and was replaced by Christian Beaton.

The game was finely poised going into half-time but the Hibees made a quick start in the second period, with Jamie McMurdo firing home an excellent solo effort two minutes after the restart - the forward cut inside from the right before finishing from an acute angle.

On the hour mark, Luke Davidson extended our lead with an effortless touch and finish from inside the penalty – the ball clipping the underside of the bar on its way in.

Dean Cleland then added a fourth – timing his run to perfection on the edge of the area and firing a first-time strike past Jack McConnel with some conviction.

The Hibees were reduced to 10-men for the final ten minutes after Lewis Gillie was sent off for a last-ditched tackle, and the host capitalised pulling one back through substitute Lucas Weir to make it 4-2.

But Josh Landers restored our three-goal cushion and put the game beyond all doubt five minutes from time. The striker showed good initiative and reaction speed to read the Motherwell defender's back-pass to the ‘keeper, intercepting the ball before side-footing it home.

That was the last action of note, with the referee bringing the game to a close and Darren McGregor’s continuing their strong start to the 2024/25 campaign.

Up next, the wee Hibees host Rangers at HTC this Friday!

Hibs U18 Starting XI: Mallon, Calder, Gillie, McGrath, Bruce, Cleland, Buckley, Landers, McMurdo, Davidson, McSporran.