Match Report: Hibs 1 Kilmarnock 0
Nectar Triantis scored the only goal of the game as we defeated Kilmarnock to end 2024 with four successive victories.
It was the Aussie’s first goal for the Club, and it proved decisive in a game of very few goal scoring opportunities.
Kilmarnock, as expected, gave a good account of themselves in an even contest, however, they finished the match with 10-men after Danny Armstrong picked up a second booking midway through the second half.
The win moves us three points clear of the visitors as we end the year just outside of the top six in the William Hill Scottish Premiership.
David Gray made two changes to his starting XI following our Boxing Day victory over city rivals, Hearts at Tynecastle.
Lewis Miller replaced Warren O’Hora in the back three whilst Junior Hoilett started in place of Elie Youan in attack.
We lined-up in our now familiar 3-4-1-2 formation as both sides came into this contest brimming with confidence after morale-boosting victories on Boxing Day.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides winning a series of early corner kicks, although they were unable to turn that into tangible goal scoring opportunities as we defended them stoutly.
The blustery conditions made it difficult for both sides as the strong winds swirling around the stadium ensured the ball either held up or was blown off its intended path.
We should’ve broken the deadlock in the 12th minute when Josh Campbell released Martin Boyle on the right of the penalty box and from his low cross Hoilett was left with a tap-in at the back post only to completely misjudge the ball.
Killie were giving as good as they got and Bobby Wales drew a save from Jordan Smith with a shot on the angle after the wind had taken the ball away from Rocky following a pass over the top.
Moments later former Hibee Fraser Murray played in Kyle Vassell with a clipped pass only for his weak shot to be comfortably saved by Smith.
Neither side was dominating the game, and we were next to threaten when Hoilett split the visiting defence with a threaded pass that found Chris Cadden running in behind; from his low cross Triantis threw himself down to meet it only for it to run just beyond him.
On 24 minutes Boyle went on a trademark run, weaving a path through the Killie defence to reach the byline and hanging up a cross to the back post that Nicky Cadden brought down brilliantly before volleying it towards goal and a deflection took it just wide.
We took the lead from the resulting corner kick when Nicky Cadden’s cross was fired home by Nectar Triantis inside the six-yard box. The midfielder first goal was the Club was an excellent finish which left Kilmarnock 'keeper Robbie McCrorie no chance.
Both sides wereforced into early changes with Joe Wright hobbling off to be replaced by Robbie Deas and Joe Newell unable to shake off a knock and having his place taken by Kwon during the interval.
Derek McInnes’ side started the second half on the front foot and carved out a couple of early opportunities with Vassell having an effort blocked by Rocky and Bobby Wales unable to gather a through ball that appeared to have played him in.
On 59 minutes we nearly increased our advantage when Miller’ shot on the angle was beaten away by McCrorie and from the rebound Rocky hooked a shot wide from Hoilett’s cutback.
Four minutes later Killie countered us with Murray racing into our box on the left and his angled strike was pushed away by Smith; with the ball loose inside the danger area Armstrong slid in in the hope of converting it but he was beaten to the ball by Jack Iredale, who cleared.
Instead of converting from the rebound, Armstrong instead caught Iredale and picked up a second yellow card for his troubles forcing Kilmarnock down to ten men. Incredibly, it was their eighth red card of the campaign.
On 66 minutes Miller had a second bite at scoring with another angled drive and this time Deas bravely blocked to thwart him.
Not long after this we were forced into our second change of the afternoon when Iredale was unable to shake off the knock picked up following Armstrong’s challenge and had to be replaced by Jordan Obita.
Killie to their credit threw caution to the wind and brought on Kyle Magennis, Innes Cameron and Bruce Anderson ,however, they were unable to find a way past a resolute home defence as we comfortably saw the game out.
Our fourth straight win moves us to within touching distance of the top six as 2024 draws to a close.