Play-off semi-final 1st leg: Hibs v Falkirk, Tues 9 May 2016

0762 · 09-05-2016, 12:24

Well we deservedly won through v Raith but really made a bit of a 'dog's dinner' of this exercise all the same. The main reason for that is our strikers are not scoring goals again!! Thumb down

However, our defence is continually improving and another 'clean sheet' is good for confidence. Falkirk will be a sterner test for Hibs but there's no doubt Hibs can beat them in this match and the return game as well but player freshness is an issue. I'd luv to see Hibs finish them off at ER tomorrow night - just do it and render the return match to be a 'kick about'. I also hope we have a decent ref to deal with the cynical tactics that are definitely being orchestrated by their manager, Houston. I think they'll be 'at it again' and I hope the SFA officials have observed what they were doing in the last game at ER when they undeservedly drew with Hibs - a refereeing disgrace when the b####### should've been left with only 8 players on the pitch by FT!!
I notice we have never lost to Falkirk since that 'steal' of a Scottish Cup semi-final when we dominated them from start to finish - long may that continue!!!

Fredstersafool · 09-05-2016, 12:30

3 draws and a win this season.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 09-05-2016, 13:12 by 0762.)

It was a huge fillip to look at the last match report of Falkirk's game v Morton and the fact that Morton pounded a Falkirk team in the last quarter of this match, when the Falkirk players were 'dead on their feet', and Morton should've actually won this game with a good number of scoring opps incl apparently a good offside goal that was scored inside the last 10 mins when the Falkirk defence was all 'over the place'!!!

Fredstersafool · 09-05-2016, 13:47

But they never.

0762 · 09-05-2016, 17:24

Oh yes - acknowledged! But that does not dismiss the fact that Falkirk were well outplayed in a good part of that match and are nothing close to being anything special! I just hope Hibs 'show up with something to prove' esp after the Bairns' post match shenanigans after that very lucky 2-2 draw at ER in which they should've been reduced to at least 9 players well before the end of that match!!

0762 · (This post was last modified: 09-05-2016, 22:09 by 0762.)

Confirmed the ref for this match is Alan Muir, the same 'whistler' that the Falkirk manager, Houston, publicly slated previously after a soft pen award at the Falkirk Stadium and was swiftly reprimanded by the SFA and warned re his future behaviour! I'm not a Houston fan (he's made too many indiscreet remarks re Hibs and other ref decisions/teams down the years!) and I hope that indiscretion comes back and 'bites him on the bum' big time - that would be ironic

hibeejim21 · 10-05-2016, 10:09

" I'm not a Houston fan (he's made too many indiscreet remarks re Hibs and other ref decisions/teams down the years!"

He is a massive bellend of a man. Can't stick him.

Fredstersafool · 10-05-2016, 10:10

Have these games been moved?? I was under the impression they were Wednesday and Saturday.

0762 · 10-05-2016, 11:06

Yep! Today and Friday night - I'm assuming live tv coverage for the Friday match.

TheWorthinGer · (This post was last modified: 10-05-2016, 11:21 by TheWorthinGer.)

Funny, if Morton are the point of comparison did they not give Hibs a lesson in football at Easter Road and collect all 3 points earlier in the season and also a 0-0 draw fairly recently?

I'm actually looking forward to these two games and, say what you like about Houston, he's done extremely well again the two "big" teams in the division this year. Falkirk are a physical side and Hibs will be constantly bleating at the referee for the next 3 hours of football. Expect McGinn to be hammered in first 10 minutes, Stokes to be constantly niggled at and Cummings to be on the end of some manly challenges. Should make great TV.

Strangely enough, I think Hibs have more chance of beating Killie over two legs than Falkirk.

Both games live on BT.