After the lacklustre performance against Hotspurs the previous week this was a welcome return to 100% maximum effort from everyone in the squad. Danny Wilson was drafted into the squad after 18 months away from Singapore to add some bite to the front line and to ruffle a few feathers.

Tunners called for us to come out of the blocks quickly and to put our mark on the game and we did just that by scoring after 5 minutes with Andrew Talbot turning in a cross nice cross from the right. Unfortunately this stirred Latini into action and they scored a lovely goal with through ball from Fafa going inches over Spackers head and into the path of their striker who lobbed the stranded Burkey who had no chance. 1-1 after less than 10 mins.

The Latini second goal was scrappy and with an element of good fortune as the rebound fell nicely to the player’s feet and not a Hibs player. We were disappointed to go behind so quickly having taken the early lead. With Latini clearly short on numbers, only one sub, I felt that if we could go into the half-time interval on level terms then our superior numbers would come into play. Unfortunately for the Hibs the score at half-time was 2-1 to Latini.

A few changes were made at half-time. Spackers suffering from shin-splints was replaced by Dean who immediate captured his early season form and stamped his authority onto proceedings at the back. Ross, who had been energetic on the right wing was replaced by Ryan who immediately came on and was full of running and tested Pricey on numerous occasions with his good running.

But massive credit to Hibs who continued to push and to create some good chances but the Latini keeper was in fine form and kept us at bay. The pace of the second half dropped almost to a walking pace as the blast furnace conditions took their toll on both sets of players.

The game was effectively killed off when Chris needlessly made a challenge in his own penalty area and hacked down the Latini striker. It was a penalty and the game was 3-1 to Latini with 20 mins to go. It was needless penalty to concede as the Latini player was running with the ball across and away from the goal. A lesson to be learnt I hope for our young player who apart from conceding the penalty played a great game and was full of attacking intent and combining well with the ever-running Bastian.

The tiring Danny and Gary were replaced by James Harvey and Kaydash but at that stage of the game the result was never really in doubt. Both sides had some good efforts from long-range as the game opened up as the heat sapped the energy from the tiring limbs. But this was the type of performance and effort that Tunners had called for before the game, it was just a pity the result didn’t go our way.

Thanks to Latini for another tough battle, and for a clean and fairly fought game. Referee Alex was his usual excellent self with efficient decision making and having a quiet word here and there were required. Good luck to Latini for the rest of the season and in catching SCC for top place!!