It was Thornton who adapted better to the very windy conditions to record their first win of the season although barely 10 seconds into the game Dewi Taylor struck the crossbar with a shot from wide on the left.

Ryan Linton had recovered from injury to take his place between the sticks and he was called into action in the 21st minute with a good save to prevent Darryl Chisholm giving the visitors the lead. Three minutes later Daniel McNab's low free-kick whistled in near the post to put the Hibs ahead.

Thornton thought they'd doubled their lead when Max Coleman's superb free-kick was knocked over the line by Stuart Drummond but, to the displeasure of the home support, it was ruled out for offside.

The second-half was in its infancy when Raymond Crichton was upended in the area by Gordon Wilson and Liam Forbes netted from the spot.

By the 53rd minute the game was all over bar the shouting when Forbes showed good strength before sliding the ball beyond James Penman to make it three.

GI Joinery Hibs' Man of the Match – Ian Hepburn

Thornton Hibs: Linton, D.Robertson, M.Robertson, S.Drummond, A.Drummond, Coleman, McNab, Hepburn, Forbes, Thomson, Crichton. Subs: Shields, Trialist, Feeley, Shanks, Trialist.

Whitburn: Penman, Milton, Wilson, G.Hamilton, Greig, J.Hamilton, Chisholm, Brass, Martin, Taylor. Subs: Runciman, McQueenie, Tomaszewski, Graham, Thomson.

Referee: Mr P.Stuart
 
Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 12 WJ 3
Attempts on target - TH 7 WJ 3
Corners - TH 5 WJ 6
Offside - TH 6 WJ 1
Fouls committed - TH 20 WJ 22
Yellow Cards - TH 4 WJ 4
Red Cards - TH 0 WJ 0