Hibs give Motherwell a finishing lesson

Last updated : 22 November 2008 By Firparkcorner

We had an incredible early let off when Riordan burst clear on the left but Smith got his arms up well to make an impressive save. However that was only one of a handful of chances the visitors made in the opening stages and by the time Rankin pounced on a poor Malcolm clearance - after he had been played into trouble by Smith in fairness - the goal was coming.

Malcom scores...


Riordan had the freedom of the half but was denied by Smith as Hibs looked to double their lead but we somehow stayed in touch. Hibs were making clear fouls on Porter and Sutton at every long ball and one of these produced an equaliser when Malcolm curled home a superb free kick.


We kept up the pressure for all of two minutes after the break before a horrific giveaway from Reynolds allowed Shiels to fire home after some nice play. We never looked like equalising and when Fletcher, who ran us ragged all day, rammed in a superb long shot it was game over.


Hibs hit the bar and missed other opportunities and though we had a couple of scrambles of our own we were never in the game. Riordan scored the fourth in the last minute to empty
Fir Park before the final whistle and we can have no complaints at all about being so heavily beaten.

With Aberdeen and Hearts up next it is not unfair to say our season is hanging in the balance. If we do not improve immediately we will struggle to make the top six, never mind feature in the race for Europe.