Hibernian Reserves 4-1 Gretna Reserves

Scotland U21 International Ross Campbell scored a hat-trick as Hibernian outgunned Gretna in the opening Reserve League game of the season.

It was a tough start for a young Gretna side who paid the price for not making the most of their opportunities at Almondvale.

But they almost made the perfect start when Kenny Deuchar picked up the ball on the right in the first attack of the game, and blasted a superb effort from 20 yards that Hibs keeper Andy McNeil did well to turn over the bar. Minutes later and the home defence was again floundering as Deuchar found space in the area, but the striker shot high over the bar.

Hibernian then took the lead after 12 minutes when Filipe Morais broke on the right and centred for Ross Campbell to slot in from close range.

Gretna should have been level five minutes later when a ball floated into the area was headed down into the path of the unmarked Deuchar, but from six yards he hooked the ball well over the bar.

And Hibs doubled their lead on 34 when Campbell knocked down Morais’ cross into the path of Ross Chisholm, who found the bottom right-hand corner from eight yards.

The home side made it three early in the second-half, with the lively Filipe Morais the provider once again. The former St Johnstone winger’s cross was spilled by Nathan Wright and Campbell reacted quickest to the loose ball for his second of the game.

But Andy Smith’s side continued to create chances and they got the goal they deserved on the hour mark when Fraser McLaren found the net with a neat header.

However, Hibernian restored their three-goal advantage in the 73rd minute when Clayton Donaldson headed against the crossbar, with the ball falling kindly for Ross Campbell who duly finished for his hit-track.

GRETNA: Wright, Fisher (McGuffie), Poulson (Robinson), Campagna, Paartalu, Deverdics, Hogg (Sharples), McGill, Baldacchino, Deuchar, McLaren. Subs not used: Grant, O’Hara.