Ryan Shanley hits hat-trick as Hibs thrash Dundee United in Reserve Cup

Ryan Shanley (main) scored a hat-trick while Josh Campbell (top left) and Dino Leddie were also on target

Ryan Shanley celebrated his new deal with Hibs by netting a hat-trick as the Easter Road side's development team ran out 5-2 winners against Dundee United in the SPFL Reserve Cup at Whitton Park.

Lee Makel selected a youthful side, with 16-year-old Jayden Fairley starting in midfield fresh from his goal-scoring substitute appearance for Lowland League outfit Civil Service Strollers at the weekend.

The hosts threatened first, with Lewis Fraser just failing to get a touch on Archie Meekison's cross from the left wing, while Shanley fired Hibs' first real chance over the bar from the edge of the box after ten minutes.

Hibs did take the lead ten minutes later. A short free-kick was funnelled to Fairley on the left flank and his cross to the back post was controlled by centre-back Dino Leddie, who finished beyond Josh Donaldson in the United goal.

Shanley doubled Hibs' advantage moments later but the Terrors hit back immediately through Adam Hutchinson, who nodded home Meekison's corner.

Hibs held onto their slender lead until the half-time interval but seven minutes after the restart, United squared the match as Fraser set up Meekison who headed past Paddy Martin in the Hibs goal.

The loss of a second goal seemed to stir the visitors and they retook the lead five minutes later, Josh Campbell getting his head to a cross from captain Innes Murray.

Donaldson pulled off a fine save to deny his former Strollers team-mate Shanley on 66 minutes as Hibs pressed for a fourth, but it was United who had the next chance as Meekison's effort from a deflected free kick was smothered at the second attempt by Martin.

Hibs notched their fourth of the afternoon as Shanley stroked home his second into the bottom corner after a ball over the top, and a near-identical move 60 seconds later presented the 19-year-old with his third and Hibs' fifth as he finished across the 'keeper from the left side to effectively end the game as a contest.

The result sees Hibs advance to the semi-finals of the competition after two wins and two draws from their four group matches.

Hibs: Paddy Martin; Tommy Block, Dino Leddie, Josh Doig, Callum Yeats, Gregor Woods, Innes Murray (c), Josh Campbell, Jayden Fairley, Yrik Gallantes, Ryan Shanley. Subs: Steven Elder, Josh Currie.