Match report: Hibernian 1-2 Saints

After a goalless first half Saints took the lead on 49 minutes as Sidibeh latched onto a well-weighted Matt Smith pass in behind the Hibs defence and the forward broke into the box before sending a composed finish beyond David Marshall.

Saints lead would only last 7 minutes as Chris Cadden brought the hosts level after Dimitar Mitov had palmed away a Myziane Maolida strike.

The winner came on 81 minutes as Graham Carey’s corner was met by Gallacher who hooked the ball home from the edge of the six yard box to secure a big 3 points for Craig Levein’s side.

Today’s result moves Saints on to 31 points, 4 points clear of eleventh place Ross County.

Next up for Saints is their final game before the split as they welcome Kilmarnock to McDiarmid Park next Saturday, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

Saints were in the capital today as they took in Hibs at Easter Road in their penultimate cinch Premiership game before the split. A strike with 10 minutes remaining from Amadou Bakayoko saw Saints slip to a 2-1 defeat at home to Dundee last Saturday and Craig Levein made one change to his starting eleven as Andy Considine came in to replace Liam Gordon who missed out completely due to injury. Hibs lost 3-1 to Rangers at Ibrox last weekend and Head Coach Nick Montgomery also made one change to his starting eleven as Martin Boyle came in to replace Elie Youan who dropped to the bench.

It was a sunny but very windy afternoon in Leith as Max Kucheriavyi got the match underway for Saints.

Hibs started the match strongly dominating possession and on 10 minutes they were claiming for a penalty. Dimitar Mitov came out to punch a high ball clear after Myziane Maolida's shot from outside the box had deflected up into the air however, he appeared to miss it and caught Emiliano Marcondes who went down in the box. Referee Grant Irvine waved play on however, his finger soon went to his earpiece as the incident was checked by David Munro on VAR who dismissed the penalty claims.

On 12 minutes a ball down the left channel was gathered by Maolida and the on-loan Hertha BSC winger cut the ball back to Joe Newell however, the Hibs captain was unable to test Mitov with his effort as his angled shot from 15 yards went over the bar.

Nicky Clark saw his strike at goal on 19 minutes blocked by the Hibs defence. Then on 24 minutes Tony Gallacher set Adama Sidibeh free down the left and the forward broke towards the Hibs box before cutting inside onto his right foot and unleashed a strike that was deflected behind for a corner by Marcondes.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh's shot is deflected wide

Saints were starting to come more into the game and on 27 minutes Matt Smith won Saints a free kick out wide on the right after he was fouled by Rocky Bushiri. Matt Smith took the free kick himself as his deep delivery into the box found Ryan McGowan however, the defender was unable to test David Marshall in the home goal from a difficult angle.

Shortly after Hibs were appealing for another penalty as Marcondes played in Adam Le Fondre and the forward went down under the challenge from McGowan as the defender cleared the ball. Grant Irvine again wasn’t interested in the appeals from the home side as he waved play on.  

With 4 minutes of the first half remaining Sidibeh did well to win possession from Will Fish and the Gambian then played in Clark however, his effort from just outside the box went narrowly wide.

PHOTO: Nicky Clark curls his shot wide

Hibs made a change before the second half got underway as Nathan Moriah-Welsh came on to replace Will Fish.

The breakthrough came on 49 minutes as Saints took the lead. Matt Smith’s long ball in behind the Hibs defence played in Sidibeh who used his pace to race clear of Rocky Bushiri and the forward then showed great composure to slot the ball beyond Marshall and into the far corner of the net. There was then a long VAR check to see if Sidibeh had been offside however, following the check the goal stood.

However, Hibs were back on level terms on 56 minutes. A good move by the hosts saw Moriah-Welsh carry the ball forward before playing it into Maolida in the box however, his effort was palmed away by Mitov. The loose ball then broke to Chris Cadden who was running into the box and the defender rifled a low shot into the net.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh scores to make it 1-0

The Easter Road side created a good chance to take the lead on 64 minutes as Jordan Obita’s cross from the left picked out Le Fondre at the near post and the forward attempted an audacious backheel however Mitov made a brilliant save tipping the ball over for a corner. Marcondes took the corner from the left and his delivery into the box was met by Bushiri who was unable to find the target with his header.

Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the right on 70 minutes after David Keltjens was fouled by Obita, who was booked for the foul. Matt Smith took the free kick as he curled the ball into the box however, Marshall came out to punch the ball clear.

3 minutes later Hibs created a chance as Marcondes played in Maolida however, his shot was comfortably saved by Mitov.

PHOTO: Adama Sidibeh celebrates his goal

Saints made their first change of the game on 76 minutes as Graham Carey came on to replace Nicky Clark.

The Easter Road side came close to taking the lead on 79 minutes as Maolida was brilliantly denied at point blank range by Mitov as the winger got on the end of a Cadden cross.

Saints then made another change a minute later as Adama Sidibeh was replaced by Benji Kimpioka.

Despite the hosts having all the pressure it was Saints who would get the winner with 9 minutes remaining. Obita gave away a needless corner which was taken by Carey from the right and his delivery was met by Tony Gallacher who volleyed home his first goal for the club to spark wild celebrations in the away end.

PHOTO: Tony Gallacher scores Saints second goal

5 minutes of additional time was added on at the end as Saints made another change with Stevie May coming on to replace Matt Smith.

Hibs pushed in the closing stages for an equaliser, forcing numerous corners, however, the Saints rearguard stood firm mopping up the pressure to ensure Saints headed back up the road with the 3 points.

PHOTO: Dimitar Mitov celebrates at full time with Tony Gallacher

Hibernian: Marshall, Fish (Moriah-Welsh 45’), Boyle, Newell (Tavares 83’), Cadden, Maolida, Le Fondre (Youan 65’), Marcondes, Obita, Triantis, Bushiri

Unused Substitutes: Wollacott (GK), Hanlon, Levitt, Mayenda, Stevenson, Campbell

Booked: Obita

Scorer: Cadden (56’)

Saints: Mitov, Gallacher, Considine, McGowan, Clark (Carey 76’), Kucheriavyi, Sidibeh (Kimpioka 79’), Robinson, M. Smith (May 90+3’), Keltjens, Phillips

Unused Substitutes: Richards (GK), MacPherson, Crawford, Franczak, C. Smith

Booked: McGowan, Kucheriavyi

Scorers: Sidibeh (49’), Gallacher (81’)

Referee: Grant Irvine

VAR: David Munro

Attendance: 16,735

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Tony Gallacher celebrates his goal with Andy Considine