Falkirk 4-1 Hibernian: Falkirk dismantle Hibs with ease as Barney Stewart nets hat-trick
Falkirk ran out convincing 4-1 winners over Hibernian at the Falkirk stadium on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a hat-trick from Barney Stewart and an own goal from Grant Hanley. John McGlynn’s side are now only two points behind fifth-place Hibs as their impressive return to the Scottish Premiership continues. Despite the visitors doing well to control the first 15 minutes, it was Falkirk who took the lead in the 17th minute as Calvin Miller raced to the byline before playing an inviting low ball across the face off the Hibs goalmouth that was met by Falkirk striker Barney Stewart who was there to side-foot the ball into the net. Following a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside, Barney’s opening goal was awarded. Hibs’ best chance of the game so far came after the half hour mark when Scotland International Grant Hanley came close to equalising from a free kick, Falkirk Goalkeeper Scott Bain done exceptionally well to tip it over the bar and ensure his side remanded ahead. Falkirk were unfortunate not to have doubled their lead as they had two opportunities within a few minutes; Kyrell Wilson struck from inside the area as his shot sailed inches wide of the Hibs goal. Raphael Sallinger then got down well to push away Calvin Miller’s fierce effort from close range. Barney Stewart netted his second of the afternoon and gave Falkirk a comfortable two goal cushion on the 43rd minute. The build-up play was almost identical to the first goal with Calvin Miller skipping past the Hibs defence with ease before delivering a low cross for Barney Stewart who was once again on hand to finish beyond Sallinger in the Hibs net. The Bairns headed into the interval 2-0 up after an impressive first half showing. Hibs made an attacking change at the break with Elie Youan coming on in place of Centre-back Jack Iredale as David Gray’s side changed shape to a 4-3-3. On the hour mark, Hibs found a way back into the game as Rocky Bushiri rose highest to head the ball home from Jordan Obita’s corner kick delivery to give his side a lifeline. With twenty minutes remaining, Falkirk were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area as Calvin Miller stepped up to take it 20 yards from goal, Raphael Sallinger was on hand to get a hand to it and tip it over the crossbar for a corner which Falkirk failed to threaten from. Hibs substitute Rudi Molotnikov was involved in play instantly as the Youngster picked the ball up in a good position high up the park before he cut inside forcing Scott Bain to save well. Both sides had struggled to create any real quality going forward for large spells throughout the second half resulting in a quieter affair. Despite that, Falkirk all but secured the three points in the 83rd minute when Barney Stewart netted his first ever hat-trick for the club as any hope of a comeback from the visitors now looked near impossible. The Bairns made certain of victory as the game approached additional time, Louie Marsh fired the ball across goal as the ball deflected off Grant Hanley’s right foot as he was unable to prevent the own goal to cap off what had been a disastrous afternoon for the Hibees.
Partick Thistle Continue Push For Automatic Promotion After 2-1 Win Over Ayr United
Alex Samuel’s first half header earned Mark Wilson’s Partick Thistle a vital three points in the fight for the title as they defeated Scott Brown’s Ayr United 2-1. The match started slow, but with 12 minutes on the clock, former Ayr United player Logan Chalmers opened the scoring for the hosts after Kevin Holt failed to intercept Patrick Reading’s through ball. That wasn’t the end of the drama, as just two minutes later, Thistle’s continued pressure on Ayr saw Luke McBeth’s cross find Alex Samuel’s head and fall into the bottom left of Liam Russell’s net. Ayr United’s first half went from bad to worse, Leon King’s foul on Alex Samuel in the penalty area on the 19th minute saw referee Grant Irvine point to the spot. Chalmer’s stepped up to the penalty spot hoping to get his second of the match, however his effort down the middle was saved by the leg of goalkeeper Russell. The penalty save brought some hope for Scott Brown’s side, as his squad started to take the game to the Jags. Ben Dempsey’s effort on the 21st minute deflected by the post of Josh Clarke’s goal and earned The Honest Men a corner which they failed to capitalise on. Ayr United looked more comfortable for the remainder of the second half creating some well worked plays but failing to cause Thistle’s Clarke any problems. Ayr’s manager Scott Brown was shown yellow for dissent on the 35th minute, mostly out of frustration after his side’s poor first half performance. Ayr United almost found away back into the game late into the first half, their best chance of the game comes from a cross from Scott McMann and lands on Anton Dowds head, but his effort hits the side netting of Josh Clarke’s goal. A tactical substitution for Scott Brown saw Jude Bonnar being replaced by striker Curtis Main in a hope to get something from the game. And it was almost a dream start to the half for Ayr when Kevin Holt’s header looked goal bound, but it was blocked off the line by Thistle captain Lee Ashcroft. Partick Thistle almost extended their lead to 3, after Ben Stanway’s cross almost sneaked a way into the back of the net but was tipped over the bar by Liam Russel. Substitute Curtis Main got one back for the visitors on the hour mark after George Finney’s rocket was blocked and the striker was there to pounce on the rebound and find the top right corner. 72 minutes in Lee Ashcroft’s header was saved well by Russel, and moments later he was needed at the other end of the field to hold off Anton Dowds in a one-on-one battle near the Thistle goal. In the 79th minute, Alex Samuel’s original chance turned into a catalogue of blocked efforts from the Ayr United defence to keep themselves in the match. George Oakley’s burst of pace found him in a good position wit just two minutes remaining, but his powerful effort was parried away by Josh Clarke. In the dying moments of the match, Scott Brown’s continued dissent was punished with a red card, which really summed up Ayr United’s afternoon. Results elsewhere give Partick Thistle the chance to go top of the league by a point this Friday if they win away to current leaders St. Johnstone, after they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic at McDiarmid Park. As for Ayr United, their next outing is also away to St. Johnstone as they travel to Perth on Tuesday in the Scottish Challenge Cup. The aforementioned defeat to the Saints and subsequent Dunfermline victory means Neil Lennon’s side have leapfrogged them into the play-offs on goal difference.
Is there cause for concern at Hibs?
The January transfer window is never an easy one, but at the time of writing, Hibernian are the only side in the Scottish Premiership yet to make a signing this window, even with key positions such as right- wing back and striker noticeably needing improved. David Gray may also need to strengthen at centre back with on-loan Zach Mitchell being recalled by Charlton as Nathan Jones deemed he wasn’t receiving enough game time for his development. This leaves Hibs with only four recognised centre backs to fill their favoured back three. Hibs fans have largely been devoid of transfer rumours in this window too. They’ve been linked to Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamarteri, but the talks surrounding the Jamaican international have largely gone quiet. German fullback Felix Passlack has also been linked with a move to the capital. Many reports suggest that Passlack will become a Hibs player this window, although the deal is yet to materialise. In a pre-match press conference, Gray was asked about Hibs transfer activity- or lack of. He said: “We’ve still got ten days or so, so I expect there to be movement. I expect there are still things to happen. “In terms of our recruitment strategy and what we want to do, we’re working hard to try to do things, and if it can improve the group and it can be done, we certainly would like to do that. “In an ideal world, you want that done on day one. Every manager and coach around the country, all over the world, would say the same thing – the earlier you can get players in, the better. “It doesn’t always work like that, especially in the January window as well. Sometimes you need to be a little bit reactive. It is a case of when you get to the end of the window, making sure your squad is stronger than when you started. That is the key.” Hibernian will now look towards a hectic end to the window before the February 2nd deadline. Fans will be hoping for more transfer talk than just Cadamarteri and Passlack, who have been the only credible rumours thus far this window.
