With the strong wind doing it’s best to spoil things, it was the Hibs who managed to use it to their advantage following a goal-less first-half.
Kirkcaldy had their chances in the opening 45 but couldn’t find the net mainly due to resolute defending and good goalkeeping.
Centre-back, Craig Ness, had a header on goal comfortably taken by Scott Russell under the crossbar then YM ‘keeper, Roy Ness, launched a long ball straight down the park. It took one bounce then cleared the Hibs’ bar giving an indication of the conditions that prevailed. Another visiting defender, Rab Martin, struck a magnificent shot from fully 40 yards that slammed off the face of the bar as Thornton bravely weathered the storm.
It was by no means one way traffic though and John Dickson came close to putting the Hibs in front as he got a head to Gary Thomson’s corner-kick. The ball was blocked and came straight back to him and this time his volley rebounded off the bar to Adam Drummond who put the ball wide of goal.
There appeared to be no danger to Thornton when Craig Lowe picked up the ball deep in his own-half. However within seconds he found himself on the edge of the penalty area after a surging run straight through the middle of the Hibs’ defence. His shot wasn’t up to the quality of the lead up as it hit the outside of the upright and bounced clear to safety.
The discussion among home supporters during the interval was all about whether or not their favourites could make better use of the conditions and within five minutes they got their answer. Former Raith duo John Halley and Gary Thomson combined with the former crossing to the latter and his goal from close range was his first in a competitive game for his new club.
The Hibs went further ahead in the 67th minute when Chris Mill sent Ross Morgan scampering up the touchline. His lob over Roy Ness from way out wide was as good a goal as will probably be seen at Memorial Park this season. The former Kirkcaldy striker had the final word in the 82nd minute as he sped onto another Mill pass then coolly shot past Ness from the angle. This victory took the Hibs to the top of their group in the ACA Sports League Cup and they complete their games next Saturday with a visit to St Andrews |
