May 4 2024 Under 18s: Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian
Kilmarnock’s Under 18s picked up a fantastic late win against Hibernian in the CAS Elite League on Friday May 3rd.
Reuben Cooper scored the decisive goal 10 minutes from time as he flicked it in at the near post.
Killie battled hard to secure the three points to keep up the pressure at the top of the league.
Grant Marchant went incredibly close in the 11th minute as he latched on to a low cross from Zander Craik, but he couldn’t find the target, firing just wide of the post.
Archie Traynor picked up the ball from Marchant in the 22nd minute before firing a powerful shot at goal from 25 yards, but Ryan Mallon in the Hibs goal got a strong hand to the effort.
Hibs’ Alfie Smith took a pop at goal from distance a couple of minutes later, but Killie No 1 Dylan Brown was equal to it.
Craik had a great chance in the 36th minute as he burst into the box, he attempted to chip it over the on-rushing Mallon, but Killie’s No 9 couldn’t quite keep his effort down.
Craik had another chance just minutes later as Cole Burke whipped a fantastic cross straight on to his head, but he couldn’t get a sweet enough connection and fired into Mallon’s hands.
Ethan Mersey was next to have a pop from distance just before half-time, but again Mallon got down well to hold on to the effort.
Killie thought they were set to have the perfect chance to fire themselves in front just after the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty, but after a discussion between the linesman and referee, it was overturned for offside.
Ten minutes from time the hosts were in front as Cooper flicked it home from close-range leaving Mallon helpless in the Hibs goal.
Shaun Kennedy then looked to double the lead as he tried to curl an effort home in the 87th minute, but he couldn’t keep it down.
It was far from plain-sailing in the closing minutes as Hibs rattled the crossbar twice to give the hosts a mighty scare.
Next up for league leaders Killie is a home clash with Rangers on May 7th before a trip to Hamilton on May 13th.
Score: Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian
Team: Brown, Burgess, Mackle, Miller, Bowie, Traynor (Kennedy 59), Mersey, Cooper, Marchant (Gilmour 90), Burke (McKeown 90), Craik
