Report: Narrow Defeat For U19s In Norway

A second-half free-kick from Johan Bakke proved to be the difference between the sides as Molde U19s ran out narrow 1-0 winners in the first leg of our UEFA Youth League tie.

Both sides finished the game with 10-men in what was a frantic encounter from start to finish in Norway.

It was a historic night for the wee Hibees, competing in the UEFA Youth League for the first time since the competition began in 2013.

Steve Kean named a strong starting XI for the first leg in Norway, with all eleven starters having featured at some point last season for the U18 title-winning side.

In front of Murray Johnson in goal was a back three of Jacob Blaney, Owen Hastie and Kanayo Megwa with Oscar MacIntyre and Josh McCulloch on either flank.

In midfield, Murray Aiken captained the side with Robbie Hamilton and Jacob MacIntyre. Josh O’Connor lead the line on the night, with Rudi Molotnikov playing just off the Hibs front man.

The wee Hibees were up for it from the start and did well to settle into the game quickly in some challenging conditions.

Since arriving in Norway on Monday, the team have been greeted with persistent rain and there was another downpour in the lead-up to kick-off which affected the early stages of the game.

After five minutes the Hibees had their first glimpse of goal, skipper Murray Aiken did well to get round the keeper but was forced wide by the Molde defence and could only win a corner which eventually came to nothing.

Five minutes later, Hibs ‘keeper Murray Johnson was called into action for the first time on the night. The ball was worked down the right flank by Molde before being pulled back to Martin Tornes whose shot was heading for the far corner but was well held by Johnson.

The fight and desire from the young Hibees was clearly there from the outset – the youngsters were flying into tackles and playing with a real fight and desire about them. Oscar MacIntyre, Jacob Blaney and Owen Hastie all showing they were up to the challenge against a physical and athletic Molde outfit.

As the half wore on, Molde began to settle and control more of the ball and after 36 minutes Murray Johnson was called into action again. Molde striker, Juberg-Hovland found himself in space down the left-hand side. He skipped by his man and fired a low drive towards the bottom-left-hand corner but, Johnson was equal to it and held on to the shot.

The home side continued to search for an opening goal and went close from a corner – Molde captain, Niklas Ødegård forced a smart save from Johnson at his near post.

Moments later, the Hibs shot-stopper was called into action once again – tipping a long-range shot round the post for another corner, which eventually came to nothing and the referee brought the first half to a close.

The wee Hibees started the second half positively and nearly took the lead through Jacob Blaney. The centre-half found himself on the edge of the Molde penalty area and did well to find a shooting opportunity – swivelling on the turn and curling an effort just past the far post.

Two yellow cards in quick succession saw the home side reduced to 10-men. Juberg-Hovland was booked early in the second half for a late challenge on Josh McCulloch, before an altercation off the ball with Kanayo Megwa saw the Molde striker sent to the stands.

The Hibees enjoyed more of the ball with the numerical advantage and looked lively with Murray Aiken and Rudi Molotnikov getting into dangerous areas and Josh O’Connor holding the ball up well and running the channels.

With just over twenty minutes to play, the home side took the lead from a set-piece. Molde were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Hibees penalty area and Johan Bakke capitalised – striking a low drive into the bottom right-hand corner.

Not long later and to make matters worse, Jacob MacIntyre was then shown a straight red card for a late challenge meaning the Hibees played out the remaining 20 minutes with 10-men.

Steve Kean rang the changes with Josh Landers and Adam Khan coming on to freshen things up for Josh O’Connor and Josh McCulloch who both worked their socks off all night.

Molde were looking for a second to take into the return leg at Easter Road but the Hibees were holding firm and looked determined to keep the deficit to just one.

In the final few minutes, the wee Hibees could have snatched an equaliser. Murray Aiken had a shot blocked before Robbie Hamilton had a shot deflect agonisingly wide.

A late flurry of corners came and went for the Edinburgh side but in the end, it wasn’t to be and it ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat.

It was a spirited performance on the night, and the Hibees can take a lot of pride out of their efforts. All to play for in the return leg back at Easter Road on Wednesday 5 October.

Hibs U19s: Johnson, McCulloch (Landers 69'), Owen Hastie, Jacob Blaney, Kanayo Megwa, Murray Aiken, J. MacIntyre, Hamilton, O’Connor (Khan 82'), Molotnikov, O.MacIntyre.