Hibs begin Borussia Dortmund warm-up with Reserve Cup win at Dundee United

Two goals from Ethan Laidlaw handed Hibs victory over Dundee United at Gussie Park on Tuesday as the two teams went head-to-head in the SPFL Reserve Cup.

The 18-year-old struck twice in the second period after a goalless first half to consign the Terrors to a first defeat in the competition and lift Hibs to second in the group with one match remaining.

Neither side could gain an advantage in the first 45 minutes, and the hosts possibly got away with one when Josh O’Connor appeared to be bundled over in the area by Arron Donald after just seven minutes, while United had similar claims turned down on the quarter-hour after Darren Watson was challenged as he made to connect with Flynn Duffy’s cross. Hibs’ best chance of the half fell to centre-back Jacob Blaney but his effort flew narrowly wide, while O’Connor tested Jack Newman following good work by Murray Aiken.

The half-time team-talk seemed to spark Hibs into life and Blaney and O’Connor both had efforts saved following the restart and ten minutes in, the visitors took the lead through Laidlaw, the under-18s forward exchanging passes with Malek Zaid before sweeping past Newman into the far corner.

A general view of Hibs' Easter Road stadium

Layton Bisland wasn’t too far away from reaching Bryan Mwangi’s corner as United sought an instant reply and Watson attempted to tee up Miller Thomson moments later but Owen Hastie got in the way of the effort. Watson then passed up a presentable chance to level when he failed to properly connect with another Mwangi delivery.

Hibs brought on Emmanuel Johnson and the American attacker forced another good save from Newman following a counter-attack but ballooned another effort well over the bar after O’Connor unselfishly cut the ball back for his team-mate.

With time running out, Hibs made it two. Newman saved O’Connor’s free kick from the edge of the ‘D’ but couldn’t hold on to the ball, with Laidlaw pouncing to slam home the rebound.

Hibs are next in Reserve Cup action when they host Livingston on Tuesday January 24, with their next Reserve League fixture coning against Motherwell at the same venue on Tuesday January 31. Both fixtures will be used as preparation for the under-19s ahead of their UEFA Youth League play-off meeting with Borussia Dortmund at Easter Road on Tuesday February 7.

Hibs: Schofield, Megwa, Blaney, Hastie, O MacIntyre, J MacIntyre, Aiken, Hamilton, Zaid, O’Connor, Laidlaw. Subs: M Johnson, Wright, Khan, E Johnson, McAllister, Smith, Molotnikov