Arbroath took on the role of party poopers as they spoiled the Hibs’ birthday celebrations; although, to be fair, they were given a big hand by the Thornton defence who looked, at times, as if they’d been out partying the night before.
The visitors took the lead in the 7th minute. Craig Stephen’s throw-in was backheaded by Craig Watson and Garry Warren had the simplest of tasks to knock the ball into the net.
Thornton came close to equalising on several occasions but it wasn’t until the 35th minute that Adam Drummond converted Andy Adam’s corner-kick at the back post. Two minutes before the interval, Adam was the provider again as his slide rule pass set up Gary Thomson who coolly slotted home.
Four minutes into the second-half, it was all square when Matthew Johnston’s long ball was headed home by Ross Kenny. By the 52nd minute, the Vics were back in front with the unmarked Craig Watson having all the time in the world to tap the ball in from close range.
Late on, Abdourahman Njie made sure that the champagne would be served flat when he stroked the ball into the empty goal following more Keystone Cops defending.
Window Store Hibs’ Man of the Match – Garry Thomson
Arbroath Victoria: Cormack, Stephen, Johnston, Cowan, Durno, Florence, Lawson, Kenny, Watson, Walker, Warren. Subs: Mowatt, Njie, McWalter, Whitton, Hutchison.
Referee: Mr C. Phillips