A last minute goal from a free-kick denied Young Queen's Park any points for the second game in a row.
Young Queen’s Park were back in SPFL Reserve Cup business after a four week break due to the SPFL Reserve League away match against Queen of the South postponed two weeks ago.
Coming into the match Queen’s Park had played one game in Group 1 of the Reserve Cup, a 2-3 defeat by Dundee United on 20 September. Hibs also had played one game and were defeated 4-0 by Dundee on 27 September.
The sides met in a friendly in August at Rutherglen. Both sides included a number of first team players. Queen’s were 4-2 winners on the day.
Head coach Owen Coyle (Jr) made eight changes to the starting eleven for the Dundee United game. Mauchin, Bruce, Boateng, McQuaid, Fairlie, McPake, Kenny and Williamson replaced Naismith, Brown, Moore, Bannon, Jarrett, Connolly, McLeish and Thomson.
Lochinch was looking superb in the warm autumn sunshine. This was the first time a SPFL Reserve fixture was being played at our new training centre.
Hibs started well, and pushed Queen’s back with their high press tactics.
Queen’s created their first chance in the fifth minute. Good play by Johnny Kenny allowed Cammy Bruce to get to the bye line and cross into the Hibs box. Before Queen’s forwards could reach the ball the danger was cleared by the Hibs defence.
Josh McPake tried to press the advantage home with a number of direct runs at the Hibs defence. In the seventh minute Josh ran at the Hibs defence at speed, beating three defenders, before being closed down.
Johnny Kenny was also causing the Hibs defence problems with his direct running. In the 13th minute Johnny raced past two defenders and got a shot away but the Hibs keeper blocked the shot.
Hibs showed their danger in the 14th minute when a fast break down their right resulted in across into the Queen’s box for Robbie Hamilton who headed the ball narrowly over the bar.
Queen’s were by now back in the game and beginning to pin Hibs back in their own half. Josh McPake, Liam McQuaid, Calum Biggar and Cammy Bruce were combining well to begin to open Hibs up.
In the 20th minute Hibs caught Queen’s out and opened the scoring. Murray Aiken intercepted a loose pass in the middle of midfield and slipped the ball through to Josh O’Connor who in turn, sped past Queen’s past a defender before slotting the ball in the far corner of the net.
In the 29th minute Queen’s were nearly back on even terms. Josh McPake had a great run down the left side before shooting. The Hibs keeper blocked the shot and Liam McQuaid hit the rebound only to see his shot cleared off the line, rebound off a Hibs defender and cleared off the line once more.
Queen’s managed to get the equaliser four minutes from the break. And it was a great solo effort by Johnny Kenny. Johnny picked the ball up just inside the Hibs half, raced past three defenders and hit the ball past the keeper into the net for 12 yards out. A superb individual goal.
Half time: Queen’s Park 1 Hibernian 1
Queen’s upped their intensity for the start of the second half. Josh McPake, in particular, was continuing to cause problems for the Hibs defence with his fast and direct running.
In the 56th minute another great run by Josh saw the ball played into Scott Williamson who was blocked before he could get his shot away.
In the 60th minute Hibs took then lead again. A poor goal kick was intercepted, once again, by Murray Aiken who played the ball past Jacques Heraghty into the far corner of the net.
Queen’s continued to battle to get the equaliser. In the 63rd minute Johnny Kenny got to the byeline and put a super ball across the Hibs six yard box. But no takers
Three minutes later Scott Williamson headed the ball into the nut but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside.
In the 68th minute Queen’s made a double substitution replacing McPake and Kenny with Scott and McCormick.
In the 80th minute Queen’s were awarded a penalty. David Boateng drove into the Hibs box and was brought down. David stepped up and hit the ball high into the roof of the net to make the score 2-2.
Immediately after the spot kick Queen’s replaced McQuade with McLeish.
Right on the 90th minute Hibs were awarded a free kick at the edge of the box. Despite a seven man wall Hibs’ Scottish U17 international Ethan Laidlaw expertly placed the ball into the bottom left corner.
Full time: Queen’s Park 2 Hibernian 3
Queen’s Park: Jacques Heraghty, Zach Mauchin, Archie Graham, Cammy Bruce, David Boateng, Liam McQuaid (Liam McLeish 80’), Calum Biggar, Alex Fairlie, Josh McPake (Timam Scott 68’), Johnny Kenny (Lucas McCormick 68’), Scott Williamson. Subs not used: Kane Thomson, Ben Ferguson, Andy Lind.
Hibernian: Murray Johnston, Kenayo Megwa, Oscar McIntyre, Jack Brydon, Jacob Blaney, Joao Balde, Murray Aiken, Josh O’Connor, Allan Delferriere, Robbie Hamilton.
Subs: Ethen Laidlaw, Tom Carter, Owen Hastie, Josh McCulloch, Malik Zaid, Alfie Smith, Adam Khan.