Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Thornton Hibs won their first league game of 2026 at the fourth time of asking but the hard-earned three points came at a heavy price as their captain, Garry Thomson, had to be helped off after breaking his leg when he landed awkwardly.

It was the home side who came close to going ahead after Aiden Davies sprinted up the right but his low cross was just missed by Ciaran Vaughan at the back post.

At the other end Murray Black saw his netbound effort blocked but in the 34th minute Keir Allan enjoyed better fortune as he smashed home his seventh goal of the season.

Just three minutes later though the Hibs joy turned to despair as Thomson had to be helped from the field with the game being held up for seven minutes before it re-started.

There was no further scoring but the longer the game went the more possession the capital side enjoyed but it has to be said that they didn't seriously trouble Macaulay Jarrett in the Hibs' goal.

Decorland/Station Hotel Hibs' Man of the Match: Lewis Rodger

Edinburgh South: Whitelaw, Young, Blaney, Vaughan, O'Brien, Hendry, Davies, Chakiry, Wales, Clark, McGarry. Subs: Roose, Findlay, Claperton, Majekodunmi, Kay, Uphill, Swanson.

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Rodger, Grierson, Simpson, Cunningham, McNeish, Keatings, Allan, Black, Thomson, McBay. Subs: Soutar, Healy, Kinninmonth, Coleman, McNab, McGair, Drummond.

Referee: Mr R.Struthers

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - ES 5 TH 13
Attempts on target - ES 0 TH 4
Attempts blocked - ES 2 TH 4
Corners - ES 1 TH 9
Offside - ES 0 TH 5
Free kicks conceded - ES 8 TH 3
Yellow Cards - ES 2 TH 0
Red Cards - ES 0 TH 0