Recap

Sun 8th Oct 2017
League – Premier Division
Hibeernian AFC vs Bathgate Thistle
Goals: Weir x 6, Gardiner x 2
Subs: Craig King, Hamilton, Stevenson, Trialist

Bathgate looked to build on the recent win with a trip to the Gyle to Hibeernian and it wasn’t long before Bathgate were in front with Ryan Weir getting played in to then round the goal keeper to score. 0-1

Bathgate were moving the ball well and Ryan Weir was causing all sorts of problems for the Hibs defence and it wasn’t long before he made it two with a similar goal as the first after short pass back let Ryan in again to get his second. 0-2

Bathgate were looking hungry for more goals and several chances were created but nothing clear cut enough. John Mackie had to come off injured and was replaced with Craig King at the back. Ryan was then played out wide which he then dribbled past three defenders into the box and rounded the goal keeper to complete a hattrick with 20 minutes. 0-3

Bathgate were still looking to catch out the defence of Hibs with the pace of the front three but couldn’t increase the lead and seemed to take the foot of the pedal as Hibs created a few chances more through Bathgate slack play. They got a corner which no one picked up their centre half who headed easily to reduce the deficit. 1-3

Bathgate looked to get back the three-goal cousin and it wasn’t long before this happened as Ryan stole the ball from the Hibs defender and then shot passed the keeper to make it 4 for the day. 1-4

Bathgate kept probing and a through ball from Ross Steel saw Ryan beat the offside trap again to be one on one with the keeper again which he drilled home to make it five for him and Bathgate. 1-5

Bathgate kept the pressure on and with Ryan away again the Hibs goalkeeper had been humiliated enough and didn’t even go for the ball, wiping Ryan out in the box. Penalty Bathgate, Hibs goalkeeper was rightly sent off. Ryan stepped up and scored the penalty to make it six for him on the day. 1-6

HT 1-6

Bathgate started the second half looking to continue to dominate but with too many trying to go alone looking for goals they kept giving the ball away cheaply to Hibs who looked more determined not to have a repeat of the first half. Hibs won the ball far too easily in midfield and as they pressed forward no one reacted enough to stop them playing the ball into the box for an easy tap in at the back post. 2-6

The game was a lot scrappier with Bathgate still giving the ball away to easy, but Hibs didn’t really trouble the Bathgate defence. A cleared ball to Ryan out wide on the half way line gave him the opportunity to run at the defence passing there midfielder to then drive in to the box which he was fouled by three Hibs players who just couldn’t handle him, another penalty. Manager allocated the penalty to Stevie Gardenier and he scored for his first of the day and Bathgate seventh. 2-7

A cheap free kick was delivered into the Bathgate box which allowed the same centre half to header another goal after poor marking again. Defence switched off. 3-7

The game was very open at this point and Stevie then made it eight after being played into the box he cut inside and finished well. 3-8

Bathgate had a few chances to increase their lead with players going for goal at every opportunity, if they had been less selfish and played others in it could have been more.

FT 3-8

A good win, but disappointing to lose three goals.
MOTM: Ryan Weir – Took off for his own good after 50 mins, scored six and could have had plenty more.