Hibernian 2 - 3 St Johnstone: Sandaza strike seals win for Saints

By David Hardie at Easter Road
Published on Saturday 21 January 2012 17:19

HIBS were at the centre of a five-goal thriller for the third match in succession, but having beaten Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline, Pat Fenlon’s side were on the wrong end this time as St Johnstone claimed the points.

And combined with Dunfermline’s win at Kilmarnock, the Easter Road side find themselves just one point off bottom in the SPL table - with the Pars enjoying a game in hand.

Lee Croft and Liam Craig twice had the Saints ahead only to be pegged back by goals from Leigh Griffiths, via the penalty spot, and Callum Booth, before Fran Sandaza settled matters once and for all three minutes from time.

Hibs had the ball in the net within nine minutes, Garry O’Connor getting on the end of Griffiths’ cross only to find the offside flag raised against him.

Saints hit back, winning a corner on the left, Murray Davidson rising to meet new boy Lee Croft’s cross only to see his header hit the back of team-mate Sandaza, the ball falling for O’Connor to clear.

Griffiths’ movement from flank to flank was causing the visiting defence problems and the on-loan Wolves striker brilliantly took down a long ball from Callum Booth before drilling in a low cross to meet O’Connor’s near post run but his team-mate was unable to connect.

Another clearance from Booth found O’Connor in space in the inside left channel but Saints goalkeeper Peter Enckelman got his angles right, managing to get his body in the way.

But it was the Perth club which took the lead on the half-hour mark, Croft’s initial shot blocked by Paul Hanlon but with the Hibs defender on the deck, the former Derby County player found the way to goal opening up for him and he needed no second invitation, drilling the ball into the corner of the net.

Hibs should possibly have equalised six minutes later when Griffiths superbly turned Steven Anderson on the halfway line before sprinting away with O’Connor in support. Griffiths, however, elected to go it alone rather than lay in his team-mate and his low shot zipped wide.

Enckelman was tested again with a powerful effort from Ivan Sproule, but again the big Finn was up to the task, making sure he got the ball off target.

But it was Hibs goalkeeper Mark Brown who twice came to his side’s rescue within the space of seconds, pushing a Dave Mackay free-kick round the post and from the resulting corner producing a great fingertip save to prevent the same player’s header finding the net.

A terrific ball from Michael Hart presented Lewis Stevenson with a glorious opportunity to equalise 11 minutes into the second half, finding the little midfielder running between the centre-backs. Stevenson’s first touch appeared perfect but he all but threw himself off his feet trying to get his shot away.

Again Hibs looked fragile at the back, goalkeeper Brown getting down to put a strong hand on Marcus Haber’s shot before Murray Davidson nodded a Liam Craig cross just wide.

Brown was again Hibs hero 64 minutes, in blocking Sandaza’s effort after the Rangers target had been allowed to run some 50 yards unchallenged into his penalty area.

But Hibs survived those scares to equalise from the penalty spot in the 69th minute, referee Euan Norris having no hesitation in pointing to the spot as Anderson held Griffiths who stepped up to send Enckelman the wrong way.

Hibs, though, were behind again within a minute, the cheers of the home fans choking in their throats as a long ball forward found Craig who homed in to slide the ball wide of Brown, the home side once more guilty of slack defending.

Griffiths, though, went close to claiming another equaliser, beating the onrushing Enckelman to ball only to see his header clip the top the bar.

The Hibs fans were back on their feet six minutes from time when that second goal did come, Booth charging into the Saints penalty area once more to guide a lowe curling shot into the far corner of the net.

Again, though, Hibs celebrations were cut short as Sandaza was allowed to wheel and fire home a terrific shot from 18 yards to restore Saints lead once again.

Hibs: Brown; Hart, Stephens, Hanlon, Booth; Francomb (Wotherspoon 56), Osbourne, Stevenson, Sproule (Galbraith 65); O’Connor (Doyle 65), Griffiths. Substitutes not used: Stack, O’Hanlon, Towell, Smith.

St Johnstone: Enckelman; Mackay, McCracken, Anderson, C Davidson; Croft (Compton 74), Morris, M Davidson, Craig; Sandaza, Haber (Sheridan 83). Substitutes not used: Mannus, Maybury, Moffat, Stewart, Gray.

Referee: Euan Norris.

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67

clamhan

Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:58 PM

Hanlon was present on Saturday but not playing

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66

ianfaeclerrie

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 10:15 PM

and another thing - I see PF is messing around with the captaincy again - O'Connor yesterday after I van Sproule in the past couple of weeks - just like Collins did - in a piece of naive tinkering. If Murray is not playing, Hanlon is our captain.

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65

ianfaeclerrie

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 10:13 PM

I watched the highlights on Hibs TV - no soun and all. I couldnae get to the match (in India not far from the toilet) but I saw loads of encouraging signs - Sandaza was just in a class of his own. My brother was wrong - Stephens had a poor game but to me, the players we have need coaching, not replaced. Paul Hanlon is a good player and although, arguably, he could play other positions, he is not 'out of position' at CB. Hanlon has not stopped being a good player - he just needs to be taught, as does Stephens who I think is a terrific prospect . Both of them simly need coachign to be more aggressive, to not let their man turm and to block a stride quicker. To me, Michael Hart in the past few games has increased his confidence, he is tough, he overlaps and he makes chances. We turned DVZ into an ineffective player and he's not gone back to the buddies to become one of their most effective players which he was when he came to us. Callum Booth just needs coaching on his positioning and speed work - he is potentially a John Brownlie except on the other side. Apart from Leigh Griffiths, I would prefer we used our own young players rather than bringing in loaners or 'experienced pros'. Doyle could be potentially fabulous so I would drop O'Connor now for the forseeable future until he gets in shape. The person we are missing most at the moment is Ian Murray in front of our back four. Personally, I would persists with O'Hanlon and Stephens and play Paul Hanlon in front of them until Murray comes back. Lewis is having his best season for us and my brother tells me Galbraith was good when he came on but I struggle with him and Wotherspoon as I have never seen them have two consecutively good games. I would stick with the players we have and work with them to improve. They are not bad players, there are many parts of their game which is good at the moment and I saw a number of good things in the highlights - we just have to fix what they are not doing and any decent coach could do that with one on one sessions. If Petrie really did say that in the Programme then we are in Meltdown - the product has to improve on the park before people turn up and it's Petrie's faul - no one else's that we have been poor for the past six years.

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64

RobNox

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:47 PM

Fenlon seemed like a decent appointment by Hibs. He has a track record of success with 2 clubs in Ireland, so that suggests he didn't just get lucky. OK, he had big budgets at both clubs in League of Ireland terms, but having money to spend doesn't always guarantee success. In my view, his biggest problem stems from a succession of poor decisions made by Petrie. I could never understand why Hibs appointed Calderwood to replace Yogi. He had no experience of managing in the SPL and not exactly a CV to write home about. Jimmy Calderwood would have been a much more sensible appointment given where Hibs were at the time. All CC did was empty out players that Yogi brought to the club and were clearly not good enough, and replace them with another bunch of players who, in most cases, were no better or even worse. Fenlon is now faced with the prospect of making a similar clearout. The problem for Pat is that he's unlikely to bring in much in the way of transfer fees for the underperformers he gets rid off, which restricts the funds he has available to bring in replacements, meaning he is likely to trawl the lower leagues or League of Ireland for guys who may have promise, but don't have a proven track record in the SPL. These sort of players might well come good, but in the present situation, I think Hibs need to bring in a few experienced heads in key positions (especially in defence).

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63

Robbo27Hammerof the hibs

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:42 PM

#61 yeah i do believe that fenlon does not have a clue defensive wise Mcwho where is he from is he used to the pressure can he lead a poor defense we've been hearing about signings since jan 1st but lets be honest here the fire sale has'nt been at tynie has it , its a give away at easter road

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62

Weel Kent Jambo

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:22 PM

61 Why all the loan players? a) Rodders won't pay out any hard cash in transfer fees ' cos it would upset the balance sheet? b) he's hedging his bets in case Hibs do go down and there's a big drop in revenue? c) players won't sign long-term for a club they think might be relegated? d) any combination or all of the above? Smacks of a lack of confidence from top to bottom of Hibernian FC.

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61

First Green

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 08:59 PM

#50 shaun68 Do you really think Fenlon doesn`t think we need new defenders and midfielders? Expect a couple of signings in next few days-McPake on loan already reported I think.

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60

pfhs77

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 08:53 PM

#57 James McDonagh looks after the 19's team...Bill Hendry took over from John Park. Hibs are still bringing players through but unfortunately the managers over the last while have overlooked them in favour of the Palssons, Thornhill's, Stephens (who was dire yesterday) and many other young players from EPL who havent lived up to it. The main concern for me is the lack of any transfer activity regarding a central defender. Its been a problem area for far to long now and once again Fenlon is looking to bring in a striker before addressing the glaring weak point in he team which is the defence. Also why bring in Francomb as a right back and play him in midfield with Hart still in defence. If Griffiths and O'Conner are staying then they surely start along with Doyle. Midfield is easy as it should be Stevenson, Wotherspoon & Osbourne. This is where I start to struggle....Booth left back and Francome right but the 2 centre halfs are a real problem. I cant remember Hibs losing as many at home and conceeding at the same time. Its worrying times and if the defensive issues arent addressed then its SFL next season.

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59

Gordon Smiths 364

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 08:36 PM

#48 It was an open question, not blaming the fans, I was asking where everyone thought the fault lays, if no one can put a finger on it then the problems lay deep in the mentality of the directors, managers (all of them) and the hard core long suffering fans. But just you see parts of the post that you want too if you like. #46 Yes Calderwood DOH!

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58

Mackie

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 08:27 PM

Has the recently appointed Manager at Easter Road VANISHED? I haven't heard a word from him since this result. Hammy is right, the folk wjho appoint the managers are not qualified to do so, although they may very well have ownership of Hibs stiched up. They need football people on the board. And will Mr. Felon even make it to the eve of the next AGM (when the last 2 managers have been sacked to save the face of the board) No, there are big changes required at board level Mr. Farmer, and even you cannot fail to see this now!

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57

Musshibby

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 07:33 PM

Why bring young players in on loan (francomb). 5 years ago we had a conveyer belt of talent but since John Park left and Mcdonagh took over this has collapsed. Sell the training ground to a farmer and plant turnips on it because as far as I see thats what we'er getting now. Wotherspoon id dreadful, Stephens learns nothing, Hanlon goes back every game . So what is happening at east mains. Have you seen the corners?

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56

Sh(it)Happened 10-2

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 06:08 PM

OMG !!!!........have you seen the hibs record v their GORGIE MASTERS !!!!............that's why hubz are the WEE TEAM.......from the first division.......hahahahaha GIRFUY `0-2 RULES

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55

Sh(it)Happened 10-2

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 06:04 PM

PETRIE and Farmer are 100% correct saying it is the fans to blame. Every manager has been conned and lied to as regards resources...just like the hibs fans are completely blinkered to the finances. BLAME lies with the hibs fans for not supporting their team..even when they are playing the uggliest hoofball the spl has ever seen. That ghost stand...OMG !!! 10-2 RULES....Hearts heading for Europe again....and the wee hibs team getting relegated...again.........hahahahaha 10-2 RULES

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54

boozy

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 04:46 PM

# I could not get a program yesterday, a Hibby has just posted a statement from Petrie who seems to think it is the fans fault for not turning-up. He states we must reach out to other like-minded fans, who for whatever reason are not here today.

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53

Peterperfect

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 04:04 PM

Find it bewildering that our West Edinburgh chums seem to be more up for Hibs going down rather than their own plight. OK if Hibs do go down they will come back up, hopefully stronger like before. I can live with that.

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