The wee Hibees were knocked out of the Scottish Youth Cup on Friday night, after defeat to Ross County U18s on penalties at HTC.
It was a disappointing night for Darren McGregor’s side, who were held to a 1-1 draw with the Highland side after 90 minutes – before being knocked out in dramatic fashion on penalty kicks.
The young Hibees got off to the worst possible start when the visitors took the lead inside three minutes. Hibs were caught on possession in the middle of their own half and Ross County took full advantage, counter-pressing to win the ball back before working the ball to Calum Brown whose angled shot crept in at the far post.
Dean Cleland had the opportunity to get us back on level terms on 20 minutes, latching onto a bouncing ball in the six-yard box – but County ‘keeper Jayden Reid was out quickly to block.
Reid denied Cleland again, ten minutes later. This time he got down smartly to parry away the forward’s first-time volley from the penalty spot.
We eventually got back level on the 40-minute mark, with Cleland finally getting a well-deserved goal. Josh McDonald did brilliantly to keep the ball alive following a long ball into the penalty area, he headed the ball back across goal which was prodded in by Cleland at the far post.
In the first minute of the second half, Cleland nearly put us in front, rattling the crossbar from long-range after cutting in from the left.
That was the most clear-cut chance of the second 45, with both teams creating opportunities from primarily set-pieces but neither side could find a winner in normal time.
That meant, for the second Scottish Youth Cup match in a row, we went to penalty kicks. Unfortunately, we were beaten in sudden-death of the shootout, losing 6-7 with Ross County ‘keeper Jayden Reid the hero for the visitors.
Hibs U18s: Mallon, Whittaker, Calder, Gillie, McGrath, Bruce, Cleland, Buckley, Landers, McDonald, McMurdo.
