Hibs hammer Livi

Last updated : 09 February 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Hibs romped to their biggest for years to leapfrog Rangers into third place in the SPL.

The Edinburgh side tore Livingston apart and could have won by an even bigger margin.

Doubles from Derek Riordan and Stephen Fletcher and strikes from Chris Killen, Garry O'Connor and Stephen Glass embarrassed a poor Livi side.

Hibs were dominant from the start with Ivan Sproule the main source of trouble to the Livingston defence.
O'Connor had a couple of early efforts blocked before Roddy McKenzie stifled a Riordan volley from a Gary Caldwell cross.

The home side made the breakthrough after 19 minutes when Sproule's low cross picked out O'Connor. His six-yard shot was brilliantly blocked by McKenzie, but Killen was on hand to bundle the ball in from close range.

Hibs continued to press and McKenzie was well positioned to save from Riordan and then Sproule as they went in search of a second goal before half-time.

Livingston did not have a shot on goal until the 25th minute and, even then, Wes Hoolahan's long-range effort was well wide of Simon Brown's goal.

Eight minutes later, Riordan slotted home the second from the penalty spot after Paul Lambert had hauled him down in the area.

It was 3-0 after 48 minutes when O'Connor slid the ball into the empty net from just a yard out after Riordan had beaten McKenzie.

After 64 minutes, Riordan stroked home the fourth after McKenzie had blocked Sproule's initial shot.

Glass made it 5-0 direct from a corner after 71 minutes as Livingston failed to defend their near post.

The Hibs midfielder hit the post and then missed an open goal in the final minutes before Fletcher scored twice in the final couple of minutes to round off the rout.