HIBERNIAN manager Paul
Heckingbottom applauded new-comers Christian Doidge and Tom James’ fine finishes in the victory over Alloa after admitting he was far from happy with his side’s first half.
The pair netted in a much-improved display following the
interval as the Leith side collected three Betfred Cup Group C points.
Doidge, a £300,000 recruit from Forest Green Rovers, broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a deft finish before James curled a sublime effort into the top corner.
Heckingbottom had felt the need to take action at half-time with the introduction of Scott Allan and Fraser Murray and was satisfied with how his team ended the game.
He said: “We got there in the end. In the first half we were sloppy with the ball and I changed things at
half-time because there were a couple of things I didn’t like. When you look back, 20-odd efforts, 14, 15 on target and only two goals.
“It was pleasing seeing the new guys get goals, two good finishes. That will do them the world of good.
“Doidge will score goals. Sometimes we get in the trap of crossing everything for him because he’s good in the air but their two centre-backs handled him and got tight and the keeper did well with crosses, too.”
Hibs had started brightly but lacked poise at crucial moments; Steven Whittaker, Flo Kamberi, Doidge and Daryl Horgan were among the guilty parties.
Heckingbottom responded at the break with a double substitution with Allan, who immediately brought out a save in Neil Parry, and Murray replacing Josh Campbell and Kamberi.
There was more intensity about Hibs’ play as the Leith outfit sought the breakthrough goal But Alloa goalkeeper Neil Parry was again well positioned to beat away a Doidge header and Whittaker drive.
Alloa’s stubborn resistance was finally broken in the 68th minute. Doidge raced between Scott Taggart and Andy Graham to get on the end of Fraser Murray’s long punt before coolly lifting the ball over Parry, who was subsequently forced off after taking an accidental whack to the head from the striker.
“Neil had a combination of injuries – his nose was bleeding and he has a scar on the top of his head,” said Alloa manager Peter Grant. “The wound is too wide, so they are talking him maybe needing plastic surgery and he went to hospital.”
James wrapped up the victory six minutes from time with a drive from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner after being teed up by Stevie Mallan.
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