Prior to this game, Arbroath had enjoyed five consecutive clean sheets but the Hibs showed scant respect for this by knocking five past them.
 
And they did it the hard way, coming from behind after Joshua Chalmers had given the visitors an 18th minute lead with a smart shot from the edge of the area. This lead was short-lived though as Mathew Gay smashed home a 16 yard equaliser just three minutes later.

Ian Hepburn’s controlled volley from outside the area put Thornton ahead on the half hour mark before Gay doubled this lead in the 42nd minute.

In the time added on at the end of the first-half there was, incredibly, still time for a further two goals, both from the penalty spot. First of all, Garry Warren reduced the deficit to one after Mark Rowbotham brought down Kane Hester and then it was the turn of the Vics’ keeper, Lewis Cargill, to give away a penalty when he brought down Raymond Crichton giving Chris Ireland the opportunity to net his 22nd goal of the season.
 
That there was only one more goal in the second-half – Mathew Gay completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute – was mainly due to Mark Rowbotham who pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to deny Kane Hester and Danny Ross.
 
Window Store Hibs’ Man of the Match – Mathew Gay
 
Arbroath Victoria: Cargill, Macgregor, Lawson, Riddell, Florence, Thompson, Chalmers, Ross, Donald, Hester, Warren. Subs: Swan, Mowatt, Durno, Miller, Johnston.
 
Referee: Mr G. Farmer
 
Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 11 AV 15
Attempts on target - TH 5 AV 10
Corners - TH 4 AV 6
Fouls committed - TH 13 AV 13
Yellow Cards - TH 1 AV 4
Red Cards - TH 0 AV 0