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Match Report | Hibernian 2-0 Ross County
20/02/2022
Ross County were defeated 2-0 this afternoon by Hibernian at Easter Road in the cinch Premiership.
2 magnificent long-range second half efforts from Jake Doyle-Hayes, who had not scored all season prior to this match, broke County’s spirit as the Hibees kept the points in the capital.
County had the majority of the ball in the opening stages and the hosts were struggling to find a route out of their own half. In possession the Hibees were restricted to unthreatening passing between their own centre halves as Malky Mackay’s astute defensive shape prevented Maloney’s side from playing out with ease.
Hibs didn’t really find a sight of goal in the first half with their only hopeful opening appearing from a poor Jake Vokins pass being intercepted by Jake Doyle-Hayes in the 9th minute. The interception fell to Chris Cadden who had an opportunity to pick out a teammate in the box, but the wing back’s flashed cutback evaded everyone in green.
Similarly, and despite all their positive play, the Staggies also failed to create any material goalscoring opportunities.
Jordan White did manage to breach Hibernian’s back line in the 16th minute but his resulting lob attempt from a tight angle with his left foot was comfortably stopped by Matt Macey in goal.
As the half progressed the home side grew into the game and dominated possession but still struggled to carve out a goalscoring opportunity.
Malky Mackay would have been pleased with his side defensively as they were able to stick to a rigid off-the-ball shape that prevented Hibs from playing through the lines. However, there was still room for improvement in attack as the Staggies were yet to test Matt Macey in between the Hibs’ sticks.
Just 5 minutes after the restart, Hibs rushed into the lead. A partially cleared corner fell to Jake Doyle-Hayes around 25 yards from goal. The midfielder took a touch out of his feet and barrelled a driven right footed shot at Ross Laidlaw’s goal. The County keeper got a hand on Doyle-Hayes’ superb strike, but he could only parry the ball into the bottom right corner to give the Irishman his first Hibs goal.
In the 66th minute, the home side missed 2 glaring opportunities to double their lead! Sylvester Jasper done well to pick-pocket Jack Baldwin as he looked to step out from defence before sliding in Ewan Henderson on his right-hand side. The youngster found himself through on goal but his attempt to go under Ross Laidlaw’s legs was flicked wide by the County stopper’s inside leg.
From the resulting Lewis Stevenson corner, Ryan Porteous should also have stretched his side’s lead. Porteous met the ball with his head, complete unopposed, around 10 yards from goal but his weak header was beaten away by Laidlaw without difficulty.
With 12 minutes to play, Hibs did eventually find a second goal. Ross Callachan’s sliced clearance at the front post of a Hibs corner fell to Jake Doyle-Hayes on the edge of the box. If you thought the midfielders first goal was special, then believe us as this one eclipses it. Doyle-Hayes took the ball on his chest with his first touch then dispatched a stunning right-footed volley into the far right corner with his second touch.
County did go in search of a goal back but the home side were able to comfortably see out the tie and lift themselves into 4th position in the league.
