Tough out: a heavily-bandaged Michael Donnelly of Hibs holds off the challenge of Villa's Danny Walsh. | Photos: Noel Browne
Villa 0; Hibernians 0
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This game proved to something of a non-event in Connors Park on Saturday night last. Both managers had to plan without a number of players due to injuries, suspension and GAA commitments but nevertheless two reasonably strong teams took the field.
It appeared from the kick-off that too much respect was paid to each other and as a result stalemate was the order of the day. The result moved both clubs on to a total of four points, although Hibernians have only played three games compared to Villa’s four.
The home side had lost to Ferrybank the previous Tuesday and they were keen to get back to winning form but Pascal Keane’s outfit came up against a Hibernians team who were solid at the back and as a result they found it difficult to get efforts on target.
The same could be said at the other end of the field because Declan Furlong and Ian Sullivan did not put a foot wrong all through the 90 minutes and the Hibs striker got very little room. Overall a share of the points was the correct outcome.
Few chances
Hibernians were the fist side to launch some sort of attack after 18 minutes when David Baxter and David McGrath had shots blocked by the Villa defenders. Adam Potter of the Villa went running down the right flank on 25 minutes before crossing to Jack Gaule who was lurking with intent but Thomas Moore got in a very timely tackle and cut out the danger.
Three minutes into the second half David McGrath passed to Eoin Ginnitty who had taken off on a run down the left wing. He crossed to the far post but Jack Gaule could not keep his header on target.
John Boland of Hibernians tried his luck with a long-range effort on 65 minutes but the ball went high over the crossbar. Des Mullett took off on a wonderful run on 70 minute but his low shot went narrowly wide.
One minute later Danny Walsh tested the Hibs goalkeeper Sean Whitty with a decent shot from the edge of the penalty area. Robbie Flynn, a 64th-minute Hibernians substitute was sent off after picking up a second yellow card on 82 minutes which meant he was on the field for only 18 minutes.
