Gala Fairydean Rovers 0

Hibernian U20s 5

David Knox at Netherdale

FAIRYDEAN Rovers manager Steven Noble was amongst the first to applaud the Easter Road youngsters off the pitch on Tuesday evening after their five-star showing against his team.

While his own players enjoyed a rare pre-season win over Eddie May's teenagers in the summer, Noble's side were second best all over the park during the revisit.

The manager admitted his team were lucky to have conceded only five. Noble said: "Full credit to Hibs, they were excellent tonight.

"It is easy to see why they are doing so well this season.

"It was hard for us to keep up with a team like that who are zipping the ball about the way they did.

"We had a few key players missing for the match - they would have made a difference but we would still have struggled against that team tonight."

Hibs have proven to be one of the best Under 20s teams in the country this season with a string of impressive results to remain top of the SPFL Development League.

Eddie May's team demonstrated on Tuesday evening why they will go into Sunday's Youth Cup clash with Celtic as favourites.

Inside the second minute Olly Shaw rattled the crossbar from 20 yards out.

And just nine minutes later Jamie Gullan smashed home the opener with a terrific drive from a similar range.

Gala, who have been in good form over the festive period, struggled to match the movement and one-touch passing of the visitors.

Darren Smith did produce the home side's first attack on 23 minutes as he barged through a couple of challenges to fire a foot wide.

But only a brave block by Mark Walters prevented Shaw doubling the Hibs advantage on the half hour.

And there was little the stand-in keeper could do five minutes later as the impressive Gullan converted Calum Crane's low cross at the front post.

A speculative attempt from Smith, around 35 yards from goal, almost caught out Paddy Martin in the Hibernian goal.

But it was the youngsters in purple who were to find the net again before the break.

Shaw, just a minute after curling an angled shot inches wide, tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net with a blistering low drive.

Noble rung the changes for Gala at half-time with the experienced duo of Stuart Noble and Des Sutherland amongst the replacements.

But it was 16-year-old Chris Parker who made the most immediate impact with a few mazy runs and lay-offs.

Despite the change in home formation and personnel Hibs continued to dominate.

And it was only a few poor finishes and the constant offside flag from the far side linesman that prevented them stretching the lead.

Walters also produced a magnificent one-handed save on 73 minutes to deny Crane's powerful drive.

Gullan smacked the crossbar with the rebound.

The midfielder did finally notch up his hat-trick a few minutes later with a stunning strike from the edge of the area.

And it was a Gala old boy, Adam Watson, who took advantage of a defensive mix up side-foot home the fifth with seven minutes remaining.

Noble added: "Tonight was a good fitness exercise for the players.

"They did a lot of chasing tonight and there are some very tired boys in that changing room."

Gala FR: M Walters, L Stephen (A Common 46), S Main, L Swan, G Windram, S Pringle (R Clapperton 71), B Miller, D Smith, S Bonnington (C Parker 46), S Paliczka (D Sutherland 46) & D Simpson (S Noble 46).

Hibernian U20s: P Martin, C Donaldson, A Dunsmore, B Stirling (A Watson 11), K Waugh, C Crane, F Murray, I Murray, O Shaw, J Breen (R Paton 46) & J Gullan (R Shanley 85).