St Mirren vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
The SMiSA Stadium.
Bobby Zlamal starts in goal for St Mirren after his emergency loan move from Hearts
Saturday 12 September 2020 20:37, UK
Hibernian kept up the pressure on Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a comfortable 3-0 victory away to St Mirren.
Goals from Kevin Nisbet, Joe Newell and Martin Boyle proved too good for a Saints side who rarely threatened but will feel they ought to have been awarded a first-half penalty.
Jim Goodwin's side were also without three first-team goalkeepers as a result of Covid-19 guidelines and handed a debut to Hearts' Bobby Zlamal, signed on Saturday morning on an emergency short-term loan deal. Goalkeeping coach Jamie Langfield was listed among the substitutes.
Saints made two other changes from the team beaten away to St Johnstone. Ethan Erhahon and Kristian Dennis both started with Kyle McAllister and Junior Morias dropping to the bench.
Hibs also made three changes following the loss to Aberdeen. Out went Marcus Hallberg, Scott Allan and Drey Wright, replaced by Jamie Murphy, Alex Gogic and Nisbet.
The visitors moved in front with the first real chance of the game after 14 minutes. Paul McGinn's cross from the right seemed to bounce off Nisbet after a deflection but that was enough to carry the ball beyond Zlamal.
Hibs moved further ahead just three minutes later. Boyle picked out an unmarked Newell on the end of the box and he swept a shot into the far corner.
It was all Hibs at this point and Josh Doig was next to threaten with a shot that was deflected for a corner.
On a rare foray forward, Saints were denied a penalty when the ball seemed to strike the arm of Hibs defender Ryan Porteous but referee Willie Collum waved away the claims.
St Mirren were then denied a goal by two terrific saves from Ofir Marciano just before half-time. The visiting goalkeeper was alert to push away Ilkay Durmus' direct free-kick from just outside the box before reacting quickly to deny Nathan Sheron after the home side had worked another opportunity.
Zlamal made his first save of the match early in the second half to block an attempt by Nisbet before St Mirren debutant Lee Erwin - on as a half-time substitute - fired a half-volley over the crossbar.
However, any prospect of a comeback when Hibs got their third goal. Zlamal lost Newell's cross in the air and the ball was bundled in from close range at the back post by Boyle.
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "I don't think any of us expected to be forced to play the game. We felt that given the fact we had no recognised goalkeeper available registered at the club the authorities would have seen sense.
"We felt they would have shown some compassion to our situation. Unfortunately that wasn't the case and we were told the game would have to go ahead regardless. In the circumstances that we find ourselves in, it's not easy to find 'keepers who have been tested. There was no common sense shown whatsoever."
Hibernian's Jack Ross: "In our preparations we had tried to ignore the noise around the game. I think we started well and it helps if you have that platform to build on to go on and win the game."
St Mirren are next in action on Wednesday when they host Celtic in the Scottish Premiership (kick-off 7.45pm). They will then face Dundee United next Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Hibernian face Rangers on Sunday 20 September, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 12pm).
