Preview Hibernian

Ladbrokes Championship: Saturday 22nd October - Hibs come to East End Park on league business for the first time since January 2012

The first fixture of the second quarter of the league season kicks off with the visit to East End Park of the league leaders, Neil Lennon`s Hibs. After winning their first five matches in the Championship, Hibs are now without a win in their last five matches in all competitions.  Dunfermline are well behind their expected points target and their manager Allan Johnston will be out to make sure that his team starts picking up three points from games.

The win in April 2007 ended a run of over five years since Dunfermline recorded an SPL win over Hibs at East End Park. After the Edinburgh side smashed their thirteen year gap without a win with their 4-1 victory back in March 2005, they continued that winning habit. The meeting of the clubs at East End Park on 23rd October 2006 was Jim Leishman`s final match in charge, Jim threw in the towel after the 4-0 Monday night defeat.

The Pars have won only two of the last 12 meetings, Hibs have won eight and there have been two draws.

Last League Meeting at East End Park 14 January 2012

Eleventh placed Hibs arrived at East End Park just one point ahead of the Pars. The Easter Road side`s cup success over Cowdenbeath the previous weekend had been their first win since defeating St Mirren at the end of October but Dunfermline were without a win since they beat Hibs on Guy Fawkes night. Given their lowly league positions both sides were hoping to lift full points.

In 14 minutes a Joe Cardle free kick from over on the left flank was flighted in perfectly for Andy KIRK to rise above defenders Michael Hart and Paul Hanlon to head past Mark Brown. 1-0

The Pars defence soaked up some serious Hibs pressure until in 33 minutes Leigh GRIFFITHS drilled in a low shot from the right side of the box that gave Pars keeper Iain Turner no chance as it was buried in the far corner. 1-1

Fifteen minutes from the end the Edinburgh side advanced down the left. Defender Callum Booth.was allowed to travel deep into the Pars half and his pass into the penalty box was touched on by Griffiths to O`CONNOR on the right side and the striker smashed the ball into the net with Turner again having no chance. 1-2

A 82nd minute free kick that pushed everyone forward caused mayhem in the Hibs box, Alex Keddie had a swish and in the melee to clear, the ball broke to Willis who threaded a fine ball into the path of BUCHANAN who thrashed the ball into the net. 2-2.

The game was tied for less than a minute Hibs taking the initiative from a throw in on the left and that found GRIFFITHS who burst into the box and tucked the ball under Turner for what turned out to be the winner.

DUNFERMLINE: Iain Turner. Andy Dowie, John Potter, Alex Keddie, Paddy Boyle. David Graham (Paul Willis 71),,Gary Mason (c) (Ryan Thomson 65), Martin Hardie,Joe Cardle. Andy Kirk (Liam Buchanan 71), Andy Barrowman
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Smith (GK), Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven McDougall, Shaun Byrne
SCORER: Kirk (14), Buchanan (82)

HIBERNIAN: Mark Brown. Callum Booth, Paul Hanlon, David Stephens, Michael Hart. Lewis Stevenson, Isiah Osbourne (Daniel Galbraith, 87), Ivan Sproule (c), David Wotherspoon (Garry O`Connor 61), Leigh Grifiths, Eoin Doyle (George Francomb,68)
SUBS NOT USED: Graham Stack (GK), Richard Towell, Scott Smith, Samuel Stanton.
SCORER: Griffiths (33), O`Connor (75), Griffiths (82)

Hibs only defeat has been at home against Ayr United but they have now gone five matches since their last win on 10th September. Dunfermline`s run of five league defeats ended with a 4-3 win over St Mirren in their last home league match and followed up by a draw at Ayr United. Last Saturday`s 2-1 defeat at Falkirk was a great disappointment but hardly a surprise against Peter Houston`s on form side.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Falkirk): Sean Murdoch: Ryan Williamson, Lewis Martin, Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot, Michael Paton (Gavin Reilly 74), Andy Geggan (c), Rhys McCabe (David Hopkirk 59), Kallum Higginbotham: Farid El Alagui, Nicky Clark.
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Moffat, Ben Richards-Everton, Paul McMullan, Euan Spark, David Hutton (GK)

HIBERNIAN (v Raith Rovers): Ofir Marciano. David Gray, Paul Hanlon, Martin Bartley, Darren McGregor. John McMinn, Fraser Fyvie, Lewis Stevenson, Grant Holt (Martin Boyle 83), James Keatings (Brian Graham 83), Jason Cummings
SUBS: Neal Eardley, Andrew Shinnie, Jordan Forster, Alex Harris, Ross Laidlaw (GK).

Referee will be Alan Muir.

Come on ye Pars!

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