Leamington Hibs started a tricky run of December fixtures with an excellent performance against Marston Green in the Birmingham Sunday Amateur Cup. Hibs were somewhat depleted with Joe Cure and Ashley Kitchen away for the game and injuries to Steve Lockley and captain Lance Clarke.

Good news for Hibs was that Rhys Pugh returned to the squad and gave an assured performance in the middle of midfield along with the hard working Graham Bickerdike and captain for the day Scott O’Loughlin.

As per the previous 3 weeks, the wind was playing a major part up Newbold and both teams found it difficult to play their passing games. Marston Green should have taken the lead on 10 minutes when their striker shot straight at Hibs keeper Ryan Mason.
An excellent counter attacking move directly followed to put Hibs 1-0 up. Ryan Mason hit a pinpoint ball into the wind onto the head of Luke Neal who beat the Marston centre back to powerfully head down to the oncoming Dave Sweet. Dave picked up the ball 30 yards out and had one thing on his mind…to score. Dribbling around a number of players at speed, Dave then fired passed the goalkeeper to settle the nerves of the Hibs players.

A special mention to Luke Neal who has been playing at centre half for Hibs this season. After being on the end of a strong challenge last week, Luke helped the team by playing upfront for this game. We asked Luke to give us 30 minutes of ‘just being a nuisance’ but he gave us a lot more, linking well with Craig Wallsgrove and being a threat to the Marston back 4, especially in the air.

Craig Wallsgrove (who worked tirelessly for the 90 minutes), won a ball that he had no right to win on the right wing and squared into the penalty area. Not sure what right back Sweet was doing in the penalty area, but he smashed home the cross to get his second goal of the game.
Hibs fully deserved to be 2-0 up at Halftime but they knew the game was not especially playing against the wind in the second half.

Marston Green started strong in the second half but couldn’t get passed the wall of Rich Davis, Steve Brandl and Carl Smedley; who has really stepped up to the plate following his move from Hampton Magna in the summer.

Dave Sweet and Luke Ransley had to get up and down for the 90 minutes, being paired up against tricky wingers.
Hibs went 3-0 up on 70 minutes when a delightful chip into the box from Luke Neal, was volleyed home by the prolific Wallsgrove.
Marston Green were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes but Ryan Mason guessed the right way and pulled off a good stop to keep the lead at 3.

However, Hibs were unable to keep a clean sheet, when the Marston Green striker fired in from 30 yards. Although an excellent finish the wind behind the shot definitely played a part in it finding the back of the net.

Lance Clarke replaced Luke Neale on 85 minutes but was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ and gave away a second penalty to Marston Green. Ryan Mason was unable to make a second penalty save as the ball was powerfully smashed home, 3-2.
Scott, Graham and Rhys continued to cover ever blade of grass in the final 5 minutes to keep the pressure of the defence to see Hibs into the final 16. An excellent team performance in again difficult conditions.