WHEN confidence is low and the pressure builds, there's nothing like an early goal to lance the boil and get things moving in the right direction. Colin Nish did just that by putting Hibs ahead after 24 seconds, and the sense of relief around Easte
r Road was matched when the final whistle sounded at the end of a pulsating match.
Hibs were hanging on when Falkirk substitute Mark Stewart smacked the post two minutes from time. A fast start to each half and enterprising attacking play ultimately gave them a victory they have craved for some time. Given the number of chances they created, it should have been far more comfortable that it was.
"It's the first victory and you should have seen the boys in the dressing room. They were absolutely over the moon celebrating," said Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen. "It meant a lot to them and hopefully now we will learn from this game again, what we did right and wrong. We could have scored more with the boys' positive approach to the game. To score so early, that relaxes everyone, especially with the situation we have been in."
Hibs went into the game knowing failure to pick up three points would extend their winless sequence, stretching throughout a woeful pre-season, to 15.
International clearance for Steven Pinau, brought in on a year-long loan from Genoa, did not come in time for the French striker to be considered, but his arrival was incentive enough for Steven Fletcher and Nish to persuade Paatelainen that they remain the best men for the job. It didn't take them long to get the message across.
The opening goal was as simple as it was quick, Dean Shiels collecting the ball on the right before slipping it inside the full-back to Nish, who found himself with time and space to shoot home from 10 yards. The goal gave Hibs the impetus to attack with purpose, flair and speed. With Fletcher and Nish combining well up front, Shiels, John Rankin and Joe Keenan linking effectively with the strikers from midfield, and Alan O'Brien providing at outlet wide on the left, Falkirk were treading water.
"You can't defend the way we did and try to take something from the match," was the frank assessment of Falkirk manager John Hughes.
The chances came thick and fast. Robert Olejnik did well to parry a half-volley from Fletcher, but the goalkeeper and his defence were caught flat-footed when the home team doubled their lead. Paul Hanlon's cross was allowed to bounce before Nish stooped to head home his second.
The Edinburgh team don't make it easy on themselves though, and their fragility was exposed five minutes later. There appeared little danger when Gerard Aafjes took up possession midway inside the Hibs half, but his cross from deep was met by the alert Michael Higdon, running across the face of his markers to head powerfully into the net.
Rankin should have restored Hibs' advantage 60 seconds later, but inexplicably missed the target when teed up perfectly by the lively O'Brien. Hibs did make it 3-1 shortly after half-time, however, when Shiels' free-kick was headed back across goal by Nish for Hanlon to head in his first senior goal.
Falkirk refused to wilt, Higdon bagging his second when running on to a Jackie McNamara through-ball to fire powerfully high into the net. The visitors kept Hibs pinned back for the last half hour.
The home side were on the ropes, but kept standing just long enough.
MAN OF THE MATCHColin Nish got his name on the score sheet, but Steven Fletcher gave the Falkirk defence the biggest problem. His strength, hold up play, close control and vision gave Hibs a focal point. Expect more Real Madrid rumours if he keeps playing like this.
QUICK FACTOpposing managers John Hughes and Mixu Paatelainen became team-mates at Easter Road ten years ago when the club were in the First Division. Russell Latapy, who started for Falkirk at the age of 40 yesterday, signed for Hibs at the same time.
TALKING POINTIn a game of many chances, the biggest mystery was how John Rankin missed the best of them.
The full article contains 730 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
