Raith Rovers 0 Hibernian 2

October 9th 2001
Scottish League Cup
Attendance: 10,016.

Scorers:
Hibernian: Brewster(2).

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotsman on Thursday 10th October 2001

Brewster makes mark on familiar ground

Hibs did what was expected of them last night and eased into the quarter-finals. They did though require two second-half goals of immense quality to see off their spirited First Division opponents, with former Raith Rovers striker Craig Brewster the man who returned to Kirkcaldy for the first time in over five years and made sure his name had not been forgotten.

A 30-yard volley followed by a neat curled effort from just inside the box with four minutes remaining were his more than adequate contributions to the night. Hibs hit the woodwork on five further occasions, and in the end few could begrudge them the victory. The last time Hibs crossed the Forth to Kirkcaldy for a competitive fixture was back in the dark old days of their brief First Division residency. In what is a measure of the restructuring that has gone on at the club since then, only Franck Sauzee remains to tell the tale of trips to Stranraer and the like. The Hibs skipper was, though, absent last night, while fellow lynchpins Mathias Jack and goalkeeper Nick Colgan were on the bench.

Taking advantage of this selection policy was midfielder Derek Townsley, who started his first match of the season. Tom McManus was included in a front line along side Paco Luna and Brewster. The latter has been making a habit of returning to old haunts of late. After his passage back to Greece for Hibs’ UEFA Cup meeting with AEK, he was here at a place he once considered home, having starred for Raith a decade ago.

Raith have come full circle since then, via the top flight and some momentous nights in Europe. This was a chance for the club to once again earn the respect showered down upon them during such times, with Hibs not the team they were when they last met at Stark’s Park, nearly three years ago.

While the Edinburgh side began in the brighter manner, it was Raith who then started to exert a steady dominance on the proceedings. Up front they fielded Scott Crabbe and Andy Smith, a pair of greying old dogs who still believe a day is due them. Crabbe, in particular, was revelling a chance to shine against old foes, and in front of fans who plied him with stick when sporting a Hearts shirt.

That said, Hibs were the ones fashioning out the most clear-cut chances, with McManus and Ulirk Laursen testing home keeper Samuel Monin in the opening minutes with shots that were true, but too straight.

Raith for their part were having some difficulty finding out the state of Hibs keeper Tony Caig’s nerves. This was his debut, but he was hardly required to flinch in the first half.

Hibs almost grabbed the lead that would have done as much as a half-time cuppa to warm them, with nine minutes remaining until the interval. However, O’Neil’s crashing drive from the edge of the box after a neat interchange with McManus found the junction of bar and post, and rebounded back into play.

Raith were clearly feeling the loss through suspension of their free-scoring Spanish striker Nacho Novo, and were struggling to convert the few chances they had into anything like dangerous moments for Hibs. As expected the Edinburgh side took advantage of this failing in the second period, and did so in spectacular manner.

Brewster has scored a few wonderful goals on this park in his time, and he did so again just eight minutes after half time. After a long clearance from Caig, Brewster pounced on the ball almost 30 yards from goal, and watched as his volley soared into the net past Monin. It was a piece of opportunism to savour. It was proving harder and harder for Raith, but at least in Browne they had the type of rugged defnder who was willing to do himself injury to prevent Hibs scoring again. One brave block from McManus was particularly memorable.

At the other end Caig slipped while in the process of taking a goal-kick, but recovered before Crabbe could maximise his embarrassment.

Home manager Peter Hetherston sent on former Hibs defender Shaun Dennis, and he came close to converting a Stein cross. Brewter then rattled the bar with another long-range effort, and his persistence paid off with the second four minutes from time.

The Teams:

Hibernian: Caig, Laursen, Murray, Brebner, O’Neil, Townsley, Fenwick, Orman, McManus, Luna, Brewster.

Livingston: Monin, Zoco, Browne, Ellis, McCulloch, Henderson, Nanou, Matheson, Smith, Crabbe, Stein.

Tale from the Terracing - Fatty's View

A good run out for Hibs, who never looked in any trouble throughout the 90 minutes. In fact, having hit the woodwork on 5 occassions, Hibs could feel a bit agrieved at only scoring twice.

With Tony Caig getting a run out in goals and Derek Townsley playing in midfield, Hibs looked a little unfamiliar when they took the field. It has to be said that both players had a reasonable game, without setting the heather on fire!

After a slow first half, where only John O'Neil's shot off the bar provided any excitement, Hibs started the second half with more purpose and determination, eventually taking the lead through Brewster who struck a wonderful 30 yard volley into the top corner.

He followed that up with another fine strike from the edge of the box with five minutes remaining.

HOME