Hibs 3 Clydebank 0
Martin Boyle scored twice either side of a Rudi Molotnikov goal as Hibs comfortably saw off the challenge of Clydebank in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Fourth Round.
Given where the Bankies have come from in the past 20 years, this tie was about more than 90 minutes of football for Clydebank, and they equipped themselves brilliantly throughout.
It took just 90 seconds for Boyle to notch his first of the afternoon, however it would take until the second half for the Hibees to double their lead through Player of the Match Molotnikov.
Boyle’s second of the game put the result to bed before the visitors stood tall in the closing exchanges to prevent us scoring again.
A professional performance from David Gray's men ensured progress into the fifth round.
Hibs Head Coach Gray made five changes to the side that defeated Motherwell a week prior with Lewis Miller, Molotnikov, Hyeokkyu Kwon and Junior Hoilett all restored to the starting XI, alongside fit again Mykola Kuharevich.
Myko wasn’t the only player returning from injury with Kieron Bowie a welcome sight among the substitutes.
Youngster Lewis Gillie joined Bowie on the bench; the 16-year-old defender played against Dundee United less than 24 hours before for the Under-18s and was involved in the senior squad for the first time this season.
Ahead of kick-off there was a minute’s applause following the sad passing of Scottish football legend, Denis Law.
It must be said that there was a party atmosphere among the 2,484 Bankies in the away end and coming into the game unbeaten in the West of Scotland Football League, there was justifiable confidence from the visitors.
The loss of the opening goal after just 90 seconds did little to dimmish their enthusiasm although it was exactly the sort of start we had been hoping for.
The ball was played up the left by Jack Iredale and missed by Adam Hodge allowing Hoilett into the Clydebank penalty box and from his near post cross, Boyle side footed home for his 11th goal of the campaign.
We had a good opportunity to quickly double our lead in the third minute when Boyle’s low driven cross picked out Molotnikov, however the youngster snatched at his shot and fired it over the crossbar.
Rudi, starting for the first time since mid-October, was desperate to impress and he would shoot just wide of goal twice more inside the opening 20 minutes.
Hibs were dominating possession and despite Boyle’s early opener, we weren’t managing to open up the Bankies too often.
Anytime the visitors pushed forward they were given vociferous support from the large following behind Jordan Smith’s goal.
They may be in the sixth tier of Scottish football however their results this term have shown Clydebank have a winning mentality.
They looked to push forward anytime they could and a rising shot from Nicky Low shortly before half-time had the visiting support on their feet showing their appreciation.
David Gray made two changes during the break with Chris Cadden and Josh Campbell replacing Rocky Bushiri and Kuharevich, respectively.
It took us 90 seconds to score at the start of the first half and we improved on that feat by scoring in 60 seconds at the start of the second.
This time Boyle was the provider by dropping a cross into the back post where Molotnikov volleyed home his third goal of the campaign.
We were pushing to kill the match off as a contest with Hoilett only missing out on a teasing Miller cross that dropped between defence and goalkeeper before Campbell’s header was cleared off the line moments later.
The result was finally put to bed on the hour when Boyle slammed home his second of the afternoon from close range after Clydebank failed to clear their lines, his 91st goal in Hibernian green and white.
It was Boyle's third brace in as many games but there would be no hat-trick as he was replaced by Bowie moments later with the substitute receiving a warm round of applause following his long-awaited return from injury.
With 18 minutes remaining, youngster Gillie was introduced to proceedings to make his senior debut and he wasted little time getting involved in the action by coming out on top of a tussle with James Grant.
Into the final ten minutes and Molotnikov tried to add a spectacular fourth Hibs goal with a weaving run and shot that appeared to be, at the very least, testing Andrew Leishman only for Jamie Darroch to deflect it wide.
Luke Amos and Campbell both saw efforts blocked inside the Clydebank box before Leishman made a fine save at his near post to save from Hoilett after the winger had pounced on a mistake from Grant.
In the end it was a comfortable and professional performance from the boys as we progress into the next round of the competition.