HIBERNIAN PUT THE INGALLISH TO THE SWORD !!

Greetings Kankas and Kankies.

The Ingallish were sent scuttling back across the Scottish border last week with their tails between their legs. They should have learned by now that it is a hopeless cause to challenge Scottish teams of Hibernian's calibre ! Even with the presence of the great Tuncay Sanli (ex-Fenerbahce) they were no match for the Hibees !

The following report was sent by Hibbie Kanka Athole who could not access the Blog today....

QUOTE..........

Hibs completed a double over English Premiership opposition on Saturday after they defeated Middlesburgh 1-0. The previous Wednesday Bolton were put to the sword by three goals to nil.

Having fielded a potential first-choice line-up against Bolton, Collins opted to leave out skipper Rob Jones, Abdessalam Benjelloun, Merouane Zemmama and Guillaume Beuzelin for the start against Middlesbrough.
All were introduced after the break, adding a fresh impetus, which eventually led to Campbell's late winner when he bundled in Benjelloun's precise left-footed cross with his knee from four yards.

With Steven Fletcher and David Murphy having come within inches of an opener in a first half where Hibs recovered well from a shaky start, Benjelloun was twice denied by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones after the interval.

At the other end, Yves Ma-Kalambay provided a solid defence with a new-found confidence and youngsters Lewis Stevenson, Kevin McCann and Ross Chisholm showed they will all be key components in Collins' new-look squad this season.

To be fair to Middlesborough they started the match very well and had Hibs chasing shadows for the opening quarter of an hour. There were a few new faces on show for both teams, Tuncay of Middlesborough was one who looked very solid and showed some nice touches.

Hibs: Ma-Kalambay; McCann (Lynch 75), Joneleit, Hogg, Murphy (Jones 68); Shiels (Zemmama 57), Kerr (Gathuessi 46), Chisholm (Beuzelin 57), Stevenson (Morais 61); Fletcher (Benjelloun 46), Donaldson (Campbell 75). Subs not used: McNeil, McCormack.

Middlesbrough: Jones, Young (Hines 61), Davies, Wheater, Taylor; Tuncay, Morrison (Euell 61), Boateng (Kennedy 87), Arca, Downing (Cattermole 84); Yakubu (Grounds 84). Subs not used: Craddock, Knight

UNQUOTE.

Well done you Hibees. Let's hope ANKARAGUCU can emmulate their achievements this season !

All the best from Eski Kanka Jim