Match report: Saints 1-3 Hibernian

The Leith side took the lead after 6 minutes as Emiliano Marcondes curled a fine free kick into the top corner of the net.

Hibs controlled proceedings and they doubled their lead just before half time as substitute Paul Hanlon slotted home from close range after his initial effort had been blocked by Liam Gordon.

Dylan Vente scored a third for Hibs with 14 minutes remaining as he latched onto a Josh Campbell header before beating Dimitar Mitov with a powerful strike.

Benji Kimpioka scored a late consolation for Saints as he got on the end of a Luke Robinson cross.

Today’s result means Saints remain in tenth place in the cinch Premiership, one point ahead of eleventh placed Ross County who lost 2-0 at Livingston.

Saints are back in action next Saturday as they travel to take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints got their post-split fixtures underway this afternoon as they welcomed Hibs to McDiarmid Park. There were three changes to the side which lost 2-0 to Kilmarnock a fortnight ago as Craig Levein brought in Liam Gordon, Fran Franczak and Graham Carey to replace David Keltjens and Max Kucheriavyi who both dropped to the bench whilst Tony Gallacher missed out completely. There was also a place on the bench for Drey Wright after he had been sidelined for over six months with a knee injury. Hibs made one change to their starting eleven which drew 1-1 at Motherwell prior to the split as Adam Le Fondre came in to replace Élie Youan who missed out completely.

It was a sunny but chilly spring afternoon in Perth as Saints got the match underway. Hibs started the match strongly and they would take the lead after 6 minutes. The visitors were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal following a foul on Martin Boyle by Dan Phillips. Both Boyle and Emiliano Marcondes stood over the free kick and it was taken by the latter as he curled a fine effort into the top corner of the net.

Saints looked for an instant response and on 9 minutes Gordon won possession from Marcondes and played in Adama Sidibeh who was one-on-one with David Marshall however, the former Scotland internationalist was out quick and made a good save with his legs.

PHOTO: Ryan McGowan and Joe Newell

Play quickly switched to the other end and a minute later Marcondes played in Myziane Maolida however, Dimitar Mitov made a good save as he pushed the shot from the Danish midfielder onto the crossbar as the ball went behind for a corner.

On 12 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick after Graham Carey was fouled by Joe Newell. Carey took the free kick himself as he floated the ball into the box picking out Gordon however, his header from a difficult angle was not able to test Marshall.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Maolida burst past Fran Franczak before being caught by Ryan McGowan on the edge of the area with a VAR check ruling out a possible penalty. Marcondes again took the free kick however, this time he put his effort inches over the bar.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh's shot is saved by David Marshall

Hibs created a great chance to double their lead on 43 minutes as Boyle won the ball just outside his own area and burst forward unchallenged as he broke into the Saints box and past Luke Robinson before seeing his effort saved by Mitov.

The visitors though doubled their lead a minute later as Saints failed to clear a long throw-in from Newell and the ball broke to substitute Paul Hanlon, on for the injured Will Fish midway through the first half, and the defender saw his first effort blocked by Gordon before he slotted the ball home at the second attempt from 12 yards.  

4 minutes were added on at the end of the half and Saints were dealt another blow halfway through added on time as Adama Sidibeh picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Benji Kimpioka.

On 52 minutes Kimpioka played in Matt Smith however, his strike was blocked by the Hibs defence.  

PHOTO: Graham Carey and Jordan Obita

3 minutes later a quick counter attack saw the visitors create a chance to extend their lead as Boyle played in Maolida however, his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Phillips. Hibs created another chance shortly after as Maolida turned provider as he setup Marcondes and the on-loan AFC Bournemouth midfielder unleashed a strike at goal which was brilliantly saved by Mitov.

Just after the hour mark Saints made a triple change as Stevie May, Drey Wright and Connor Smith came on to replace Nicky Clark, Fran Franczak and Matt Smith.  

The Easter Road side continued to create chances and on 65 minutes Chris Cadden tried to picked out Maolida with a cross from the right however, McGowan made a crucial interception to hook the ball away before the on-loan Hertha BSC forward could get on the end of it.

PHOTO: Luke Robinson and Emiliano Marcondes

Hibs were controlling proceedings and on 76 minutes substitutes Josh Campbell and Dylan Vente linked up well to end the game as a contest. Campbell’s header forward played in Vente who raced towards the Saints box before despatching a powerful strike beyond Mitov and into the net.

Craig Levein made another change with 6 minutes remaining as Dan Phillips made way for Cammy MacPherson.

Then on 87 minutes Mitov was called into action again as the Bulgarian internationalist made another brilliant save this time beating away Campbell’s powerful strike.

PHOTO: Drey Wright holds off Lewis Stevenson

Saints scored a consolation with a minute remaining as Kimpioka got on the end of Robinson’s cross from the left to convert from close range on what was an afternoon to forget for Saints.

Saints: Mitov, Considine, McGowan, Gordon, Clark (May 61’), Carey, Sidibeh (Kimpioka 45+2’), Robinson, M. Smith (C. Smith 61’), Philips (MacPherson 84’), Franczak (Wright 61’)

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), Kucheriavyi, Olufunwa, Keltjens

Booked: None

Scorer: Kimpioka (89’)

Hibernian: Marshall, Fish (Hanlon 24’), Boyle, Newell, Cadden, Maolida (Stevenson 79’), Le Fondre (Vente 70’), Marcondes (Campbell 71’), Obita, Moriah-Welsh (Levitt 80’), Bushiri

Unused Substitute: Wollacott (GK), Mayenda, Triantis, Tavares

Booked: Bushiri

Scorers: Marcondes (6’), Hanlon (44’), Vente (76’)

Referee: David Munro

VAR: Steven McLean

Attendance: 4,450

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Benji Kimpioka and Rocky Bushiri