Easter Road youngsters take Shield

Published on Tuesday 1 May 2012 00:00

HIBERNIAN kept up their impressive winning run in the East of Scotland Shield at Easter Road last night, beating Hearts 5-4 on penalties having come from behind twice to draw 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes.

Hibs manager Pat Fenlon and Hearts coach Gary Locke – who will cross swords at Hampden when the senior teams battle it out for William Hill Scottish Cup on 19 May – were among the spectators as they watched their respective Under-17 sides battle it out for the traditional piece of capital silverware.

Hearts took the lead from the penalty spot through Adam King, but a spirited Hibs outfit levelled through Robert McFarlane. Gary Oliver regained the advantage for Hearts, but Jay Doyle equalised for the home side to force the tie into a penalty shoot-out. Hibs held their nerve to win 5-4, sparking wild celebrations.

Hibs have enjoyed something of a strangehold on the East of Scotland Shield in recent years. Last night’s success was Hibs eighth win in a row. Only the Scottish Cup is an older piece of silverware than the Shield, and Hibs will be praying that their senior side can do what their teenagers did last night and beat Hearts to end their 110-year wait for that elusive prize.

Taken from the Scotsman