Bairns beaten at home by Hibees

27 March 2010 17:48
Hibernian bounced back from their shock Scottish Cup exit to kick-start their Europa League bid with a 3-1 SPL victory at Falkirk.[LNB] Former Bairns boss John Hughes enjoyed another winning return to Westfield as his side proved clinical in front of goal to win just their second game in 10 matches.[LNB]It all looked so rosy for the hosts after Mark Stewart gave them a deserved advantage, but poor finishing and defending proved their undoing in an otherwise lively display.[LNB]For the fourth game in a row the bottom-placed team failed to emerge victorious despite taking the lead.[LNB]Derek Riordan's 15th of the season, a fine free-kick, and further goals from top scorer Anthony Stokes and defender Sol Bamba saw Hibs emulate their 3-1 August win at the venue.[LNB]Falkirk dominated the second half but they failed to find the net as Hibs climbed back to fourth spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.[LNB]In blustery conditions, Hibs created the first opening as Liam Miller's clipped ball to the left edge of the penalty area was inviting for Riordan but he blazed over.[LNB]Stokes then clipped a ball over the top was perfect for Riordan, but the Scotland striker's first touch was heavy and Robert Olejnik blocked with his outstretched right leg.[LNB]Just before the 15-minute mark, the Edinburgh outfit were forced into an early change as Merouane Zemmama, caught in the tackle by Marc Twaddle, was replaced by David Wotherspoon.[LNB]Within seconds, Hibs almost suffered more pain. Ryan Flynn shrugged off Steven Thicot and centred for Enoch Showunmi who was unlucky to see his prodded left-foot strike rebound off Graham Stack's crossbar. Falkirk soon went close again as Stack made a superb reaction save to keep out Brian McLean's header from another Pedro Moutinho flag-kick.[LNB]A deserved home opener came in the 19th minute. Fit-again Stewart burrowed his way through unconvincing Hibs tackles before striking an angled drive across Stack.[LNB]The visitors, however, were level just over a minute later. After Stokes was felled, Riordan struck a trademark curling free-kick past Olejnik at his near post.[LNB]As an entertaining game continued to unfold despite the wind, Falkirk threatened once more. Stewart cut in from the right and Stack had to beat away his fierce drive.[LNB]But, after being largely second-best, Hughes' side claimed a 34th-minute lead. As Falkirk struggled to clear, Colin Nish's shot broke back to Stokes and he wrong-footed Olejnik with the aid of a deflection off the luckless Tam Scobbie - the Irishman's 19th of the campaign.[LNB]Three minutes from the break, Olejnik had to look lively to palm away a Wotherspoon effort and Hibs quickly took advantage of more poor home defending to net a third.[LNB]Rankin's cross was headed on by Nish and Bamba was well placed to easily nod home at the back post.[LNB]Falkirk almost grabbed a lifeline on 50 minutes, only for Darren Barr to just head over Moutinho's threatening free-kick.[LNB]Four minutes later Pressley's side really should have reduced arrears. Excellent work from Twaddle on the left saw him pick out Showunmi and the London-born Nigerian seemed certain to score.[LNB]But he somehow failed to connect with the goal gaping, the ball instead breaking across to Stewart whose shot was crowded out.[LNB]Moutinho then supplied a fine centre and Barr was again unlucky to see his outstretched effort clip the crossbar.[LNB]Flynn did have the ball in the net on 65 minutes yet he was flagged offside to the home fans' ire.[LNB]But Stokes should have made it four late on as he lobbed a yard wide on the break.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk