Stenhousemuir 1 Hibernian 2

August 22nd 2000
Scottish League Cup
Attendance: 1,545

Scorers:
Hibernian: McManus, Lehmann.
Stenhousemuir: McKinnon.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotsman on Wednesday 23rd August 2000

Lehmann spares Hibs’ blushes

PREMIER League leaders Hibs avoided an upset last night at Ochilview, recovering from a goal down to book their place in the CIS Insurance Cup third round against ten-man Stenhousemuir.

It was never easy and, at times, it was not pretty, but it was a job well done against a part-time side who can hold their heads high. For spells in the first period, it looked as if a giant-killing act was not beyond Brain Fairley’s Second Division side. They took the lead with a Colin Mckinnon goal.

However, following the introduction of Didier Agathe in the second-half, Hibs turned the screw, adding to Tam McManus’ penalty equaliser with a 62nd minute Dirk Lehmann winner.

The SPL leaders handed Trinidadian international midfielder Lyndon Andrews his competitive debut in a make-shift side. Derek Collins made his first start of the season in place of injured Dane Ulrik Laursen and former Manchester United play-maker Grant Brebner was also in the startingline-up.

There were no fewer than seven changes from the Hibs team which started in the 2-0 defeat of Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Saturday. Manager Alex McLeish obviously felt his squad was strong enough to avoid any mishaps at cramped Ochilview.

A large contingent of Hibs fans had travelled through from Edinburgh, hoping to see their favourites turn on the style. But Fairley’ side looked eager and hungry, and caused the Easter Road side some problems which must have had their support cringing. Those fears were proved founded in 22 minutes when former Dumbarton player, Colin McKinnon, headed the Warriors into the lead.

David Wood swung in a corner and McKinnon rose above all to head past stunned Hibs keeper Nick Colgan. That short, sharp shock sparked Hibs into response, and within three minutes they were level. Derek Collins swung in a free kick and former Stockport defender Martin McIntosh was sent flying by the arm of a Stenny defender.

Referee Smith pointed to the spot and teenager Tam McManus stayed cool in the sunshine to hammer the penalty into the middle of the goal and away from the diving Garry Gow.

That equaliser settled Hibs, and for a few minutes they threatened to swamp their opponents in an unrelenting deluge of attacks. In 31 minutes a Brebner cross was met powerfully by German, Dirk Lehmann but his header eluded all, and the back post, before trickling invitingly along the line.

The former Cologne frontman then came close with a drilled effort which whistled towards the massed away fans and just behind. Lovell, taking over the captain’s armband from absent Frenchman Franck Sauzee then had the dubious honour of being cautioned for diving. The English midfielder’s theatrics would not have looked out of place at the Edinburgh International Festival, and he was rightly booked for his efforts.

Brebner then had the fans on their feet with a thunderous long-range shot which Gow beat away, despite looking shocked at the ferocity of the attempt. That was the final act of the first-half and McLeish walked from the dugout and up the tunnel with a slightly agitated look on his face.

However, the introduction of Agathe by the Easter Road side’s manager in the second-half paved the way for the victory. Within 60 seconds of replacing scorer McManus, the former Montpellier forward did the same damage to the home defence as he has to SPL defences this season, to carve the breakthrough for Hibs.

He danced by two defenders and delivered the perfect cross in the 62nd minute. Lehmann was in perfect position, and he headed past the despairing Gow to make it 2-1 for the Premier Division side.

Stenny’s misfortune was summed up at the death when Steve Pittman was sent off for a touchline altercation with Collins, who was also booked in the incident.

The Teams:

Hibernian:
Colgan, Collins, McIntosh, Lovell, Brebner, Fenwick, Andrews, Lehmann, T Smith, G Smith, McManus.

Stenhousemuir:
Gow, Davidson, Pittman, McAneny, Cormack, Fisher, L Gibson, McKinnon, English, Mooney, Wood.

HOME