The Hibees fell to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kelty Hearts on Saturday afternoon in the Premier Sports Cup.
Callum Flatman’s second half header sealed the points for the home side as we were punished for not taking our chances at New Central Park.
Gray made six changes to the side that beat Queen’s Park on Tuesday night, with new goalkeeper Jordan Smith making his Hibs debut, two days after joining the Club.
Kanayo Megwa, Rocky Bushiri, Luke Amos and Dylan Levitt all came into the starting team, alongside Harry McKirdy who made his first start since April 2023.
Martin Boyle took over the captaincy duties, with Joe Newell named on the bench.
Over 1,100 Hibees made the short journey across the bridge to Kelty, packing out the North half of New Central Park.
As it happened…
The Hibees dominated the opening stages of the game in terms of possession and territory, but neither team created any clear openings inside the first 10 minutes.
Both McKirdy and Boyle were constantly swapping wings and causing the hosts problems down the flanks – as we looked to play with width, despite the narrow pitch at New Central Park.
McKirdy had the first real chance of the game when he expertly controlled a pass on the edge of area running in from the left-hand side. The striker flicked the ball over the defender and fired his shot across goal which agonisingly flew wide of the far post.
Youngster Megwa – who previously spent time on loan at Kelty Hearts – looked energetic down the left and was causing his opposite number several problems. Amos took a sore one in the face after Vente struck a promising volley goalward, but other than that – chances were few and far between in the opening quarter.
Kelty threatened with their first chance of the game and the Hibees had Megwa to thank after he did brilliantly to get back on his goal-line and clear a looping header off the line.
Miller then flashed one across goal which only needed a touch from Vente, Amos or McKirdy who were all charging into the six-yard box but the ball evaded them by a yard or so.
It was then the home side's turn to clear one off the line after Liam Brown bravely blocked Rocky Bushiri’s volley from point blank range – which had the 'keeper beaten and was heading for the far corner.
The Hibees looked to finish the half strongly, with Rudi Molotnikov getting on the ball more often and looking to make things happen. McKirdy had a shot comfortably saved before Vente blasted Miller’s cut-back over the bar.
As the first half drew to a close Levitt forced an excellent save from Ryan Adamson diving away to his left to tip the ball round the post for a corner.
McKirdy then rattled the crossbar, watching in agony as his volley cannoned back off the upright and away to safety.
Half-time: Kelty Hearts 0 Hibs 0
Gray made one change at the break with Josh Campbell replacing McKirdy and we continued where we left off in the first half.
Warren O’Hora nearly broke the deadlock when his deflected effort forced another excellent stop from Kelty ‘keeper Adamson. Boyle was there for follow up but the linesman had his flag up for offside.
Vente and Boyle were causing havoc in the opposition penalty area but Kelty – to their credit – were defending resolutely and throwing their bodies on the line.
Against the run of the play, it was the hosts who opened the scoring just before the hour mark. Callum Flatman rose the highest in the penalty area to fire a bullet header into the far corner.
In response, Gray opted to make changes with Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Jordan Obita coming on for Luke Amos and Kanayo Megwa.
The substitutes added more urgency into the Hibs attack, but with a lead to protect – the home side continued to defend their box stubbornly.
Molotnikov had a good opportunity to equalise when the ball broke to him following Boyle’s cross from the right. Unfortunately, the youngster just got underneath it and his effort sailed over the bar – a let off for the hosts.
Jair was also introduced from the bench and nearly made an immediate impact – he got to the by-line and crossed for Vente, but once again – the woodwork denied the Hibees.
Hibs continued to push for an equaliser in the final ten minutes with Jair and Boyle both flashing crosses into the Kelty penalty area.
But we were left to rue our missed chances and we slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Fife.
Full Time: Kelty Hearts 1 Hibs 0
