Falkirk 1 Hibernian 2

September 6th 2000
Scottish League Cup
Attendance:

Scorers:
Hibernian: Latapy (2).
Falkirk: McMahon.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotsman on Thursday 7th September 2000

Latapy makes up for lost time with extra special effort

Russell Latapy went a long way to winning forgiveness from his manager Alex McLeish after his unathorised Caribbean party, when he came off the bench to score the two goals that gave Hibs an extra-time victory at Brockville.

The Trinidad and Tobago international, first struck with only ten minutes remaining to give the SPL pleaders an extra-time lifeline, then struck in the 118th minute to spare Hibs the ordeal of penalties and deny Falkirk the CIS Insurance Cup upset they had threaten for most of the night.

You thought Brockville, which had meant to be raised to the ground in the summer, had seen the last of cup nights such as these, but the old place is nothing if not redoubtable.

Having escaped the noose for the time being, the stadium still stands - if only just - and so to do once debt-ridden Falkirk, cup specialists of the Nineties, and hoping to assume a similar mantle in the new millennium.

A fall was on the cards here, though, and those faint hearts amongst the Hibs support who had stayed away had their fears proven in the opening stages, with Falkirk, as expected, instigating much of the early running.

Hibs handed French striker David Zitelli his first start, and Latapy was dropped down onto the bench after his self-inflicted problems getting back from Trinidad’s World Cup victory over Canada in Port of Spain.

Sitting out at Falkirk on a bleak September night for an extra day in the Caribbean seems like a worthwhile forfeit, something Latapy was no doubt merrily musing upon as he watched this raucous game unfold, little knowing that he, in the end would be Hibs’ saviour.

It was certainly no place for a mercurial midfielder to dance and weave his tricks, although Franck Sauzee was still able to make his class tell, mopping up most of what Falkirk could throw at Hibs, and still having time to stroll up the pitch in attempts to carve out openings.

There was not much in the way of chances at either end.

Falkirk’s closest effort in the opening half came via the head of defender Greig Denham. His downward header from Jamie McQuilken’s corner bounded just wide of Nick Colgan’s right post, with the home fans in mid celebratory mode.

For Hibs, the scraps were yet more meagre. A long range effort from Grant Brebner was hit straight into the willing arms of Hogarth, while Zitelli, who had hitherto been anonymous, was forced into a similarly optimistic effort from distance just before half time.

Falkirk had already almost opened the scoring, a dangerous cross from Gareth Hutchison bouncing across the face of the Hibs goal, and agonisingly past a fleet of home forwards.

The light was dimming, and the rain had begun to fall. The conditions appeared ripe for a giant to stumble, although Hibs, thus far, were keeping calamity at bay.

The second period opened much in the way the first had finished, with Falkirk seeking to break down Hibs with some frenzied running at their defence. John Henry offered up a long range effort, again straight at the keeper, while the home side had a penalty appeal turned down after Martin McIntosh brought down Mark Roberts on the verges of the box. He looked to have won the ball, but you could not have convinced the Falkirk fans, who protested long and hard, of the verity of that opinion.

The game, which had begun in the true traditions of frenetic cup action, was now beginning to metamorphose into a drab, mid-table league encounter, something which should have worried Hibs manager McLeish most. After all, his side currently lie 16 places above a Falkirk team labouring in the First Division. Here Falkirk were looking as good as Hibs. Or Hibs were as bad at Falkirk. The home side were drawing on their fabled passion though, and McLeish was concerned enough to send on Latapy.

It didn’t seem like a game for his subtle skills, especially with Hibs suddenly being in the position of having to chase the game. From nowhere, Falkirk edged ahead. A thrilling run and cross down the right from Gareth Hutchison was met by David McMahon, who celebrated his debut for the club with a powerful headed goal. Brockville nearly fell down without the aid of a wrecking ball, such was the euphoria in the stands.

Hibs, though, took advantage of the giddiness, and equalised just five minutes later.

Latapy, with the nonchalant swing of a boot, went from sinner to saint, stroking into the net a fine cross from Lehman, with only ten minutes remaining to push the game into extra-time and save his side’s blushes, before striking the winner with just two minutes of extra-time remaining. Falkirk: Hogarth, Lawrie, McQuilken, Christie, Denham, Nicholls, McMahon, Henry, Roberts, Kerr, Hutchison. Subs: Seaton, Rennie, I. Morris, McAllister, Hill. Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, Fenwick, Sauzee, McIntosh, Lehmann, T Smith, Brebner, Jack, Zitelli, O’Neil. Subs: Paatelainen, Latapy, Bannerman, Sar, Westwater.

The Teams:

Hibernian:
Colgan, Collins, Fenwick, Sauzee, McIntosh, Lehmann, T Smith, Brebner, Jack, Zitelli, O’Neil. Subs: Paatelainen, Latapy, Bannerman, Sar, Westwater.

Falkirk:
Hogarth, Lawrie, McQuilken, Christie, Denham, Nicholls, McMahon, Henry, Roberts, Kerr, Hutchison. Subs: Seaton, Rennie, I. Morris, McAllister, Hill.

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