Peeblesshire News | Sport | Hibs put Vale to the sword

Thursday, 4th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 26th August, 2005 11:02

Hibs put Vale to the sword

VALE OF LEITHEN 0-8 HIBERNIAN

HIBS striker Sam Morrow hit Vale for six during their Wednesday warm-up for this weekend’s Scottish Qualifying Cup clash.

The Victoria Park team conceded eight to the Premier League stars – and now have to pick themselves up ahead of Whitehill’s visit tomorrow.

Around 200 turned out to watch the Easter Road stars.

And they weren’t disappointed.

Tony Mowbray brought down half-a-dozen fringe first team players.

And it was one of them, Sam Morrow, who stole the show.

The towering striker netted six times in an accomplished display of finishing.

Innerleithen youngsters Steven Notman and Ross Campbell were also given the opportunity to shine in front of their friends.

But for Notman it became a case of Notty-no-mates, as he orchestrated the rout on his home-town team.

The 18-year-old ran the show – picking up every loose ball and spraying passes all over the park.

Following the final whistle, he admitted he was getting a bit of stick. He said: “I was getting a few pelters from my mates in the crowd early on, but I really enjoyed the game. I’m often round at Victoria Park watching games, but this is only the second time I’ve properly played on the pitch.

“Despite the scoreline I thought the Vale boys were pretty good. They gave as good as they got in the first half.”

Included in Hibs line-up was newly-signed Dutch import Humphrey Rudge.

The centre-half had a comfortable debut – as most of the action took place at the opposite end.

Vale defencders Graham Markham and Scott Johnstone were outstanding in the opening half-hour as they went head-to-head with Morrow and Amadou Konte.

A goal did arrive after 15 minutes, but only after a mistake from Iain Gordon. The keeper dropped the ball in front of Konte, who tucked it away.

Hibs dominated – mainly through interplay involving Notman, Darren Smith and Jamie McCluskey.

But it took until the stroke of half time for the second to arrive. Morrow danced his way through several challenges to fire into the corner.

At two down it was still respectable.

Morrow grabbed his second just after the restart. Then for a short spell the home side began creating their own chances. Player boss Jackie Diamond went close with a good shot, and Hibs were forced to clear several corners.

But cometh the hour – cometh the rout.

McCluskey’s cross was volleyed home by Morrow on 62 minutes. The prolific poacher broke clear moments later to cut in and stroke the ball beyond Gordon for number five.

Ross Campbell opened his account for the season on 75 minutes, deftly touching McCluskey’s pass beyond the keeper.

Morrow added a seventh shortly afterwards, before completing the scoring on 81 minutes with the goal-of-the-game. Campbell’s header fell to the feet of the striker, who curled a fantastic shot into the top corner.

An embarrassing eight perhaps, but if the Vale can bounce back against Whitehill, the pain will be short-lived.

Hibs boss Mowbray wished them well. He said: “This is a great little club with a good playing surface. It was a shame they conceded so many, but I hope they come back from this and do themselves proud in their cup game.”

Vale of Leithen: I Gordon, Ron Fleming, R McManus, G Markham (J Diamond 45), S Johnstone, D Wilson, C Dickson, R Moffat (G Robertson 72), L Montomery (Ray Fleming 45), J Martin (M McHale 60) & M Brown (C Cassidy 60).

Hibernian: K Nelson, P Mailey (G Crooks 61), L Stevenson, K McDonald (S Lynch 61), H Rudge, J Shields, D Smith (D McCormack 61), S Notman, S Morrow, A Konte (R Campbell 61) & J McCluskey.

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