Match reporter: JOHN LAING

After both teams 'original' opponents called off because of Covid, this pre-season friendly was hastily arranged.

Matthew Robertson's shot from distance brought Crossgates goalie, Sean Robertson, into action early on and a short while later Lewis Sawers scorned an opportunity to heat up Jordan Millar's gloves when he smacked the ball wide of the upright.

Jamie McNeish must've thought he'd given the Hibs a 10th minute lead however Robertson brilliantly tipped the ball over to keep his goal intact and Robertson showed again that he was 'in the mood' by saving well from Garry Thomson snr.

It was by no means one way traffic though and it looked as if Archie Campbell had given the visitors a 17th minute lead only for the lino to flag for offside. Brian Ritchie fared better in the 38th minute as he found the net from close range after Campbell's free-kick had been headed across the face of goal by Andrew McDonald.

Just as it looked as if Crossgates would go in ahead at the interval, Thomson snr struck a beauty from outside the area that not even the impressive Robertson could keep out.

Thornton substitute, Liam McWatt, came mighty close with a clever turn and shot that slammed off the post and into the path of Darren Ormiston who must've been relieved when the referee blew for offside after his effort went wide of goal.

A Colin Paterson header from Campbell's corner-kick had Primrose back in front in the 72nd minute only for the Hibs to equalise ten minutes from time when Matthew Robertson's cross was 'headed' home by Thomson snr. To many spectators it looked like ' a hand of God goal' and as the Hibs nr 10 is revered by many as a God in Memorial Park, maybe it's apt that the goal was allowed to stand!

Thornton Hibs: Millar, Robertson, McMillan, S.Drummond, Shanks, Coleman, McNeish, Adam, Ormiston, Thomson snr, Rolland. Subs: Hand, Mackie (Rolland), Hepburn (Coleman), Ferguson, McWatt (McNeish), Thomson jnr (Ormiston), Doran.

Crossgates Primrose: Robertson, Brown, R. Sawers, Forbes, McDonald, McGuire, Ritchie, Aitken, S. Lawrie, Campbell, L.Sawers. Subs: Renton, Berry McAteer, B.Paterson, N.Lawrie, Fenton, C.Paterson, Hunter.