Hibs got their pre-season off to a flyer this afternoon, with an emphatic win over Dunfermline at East End Park. The Hibees ran out comfortable 0-4 winners, despite the Pars having some early pressure and causing the Hibees defence some danger. New-boy Edwin De Graaf started the match, and fellow recruits Michael Hart & David Stephens were on the bench. Hibs were backed by a superb support, who packed out the away end, in a crowd of 2624. The Easter Road men took the lead when a Colin Nish cut-back was put past his own keeper by Dunfermline defender Dowie on 22 minutes. Hibs then added to their lead on 37 minutes, when Derek Riordan hit a stunning free-kick, which hit the underside of the bar, before bouncing down in the six yard box. Midfielder Liam Miller forced the ball over the line, to make it 2-0, with a diving header. HT 2-0. Hibs made three half time changes, keeper Mark Brown, making his first appearance since signing from Celtic in January, was replaced by Graeme Smith. Michael Hart & Anthony Stokes replaced John Rankin & Colin Nish. Hibs made it 3-0 on 53 minutes when Stokes cut inside, and hit a powerful shot that the Pars keeper couldn’t keep hold of, Derek Riordan dispatched the rebound. John Hughes then made a number of changes, with De Graaf, Miller, McBride, Hogg and Murray all being replaced, with Stephens, Currie, Welsh, Stevenson and Galbraith. New boy Stephens, signed from Norwich City last week, then grabbed number four on 73 minutes, with a neat turn and smashed finish, when the ball had landed at his feet, after the keeper Zibbied the corner. More changes were made by Hibs, with Wotherspoon and Hanlon replaced by youngsters Taggart and Horner. The Hibs kids proceeded to play some cracking stuff, and could have added to their lead. Lee Currie was the stand-out however, looking solid in the centre of midfield. Riordan was the only player to get 90 minutes, and finished the day as captain. Up next in the Hibees pre-season programme is a trip to Palmerston to face Queen of the South on Tuesday evening.
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