Boyle injury mars Hibs’ win at Hamilton

Posted Sunday, December 09, 2018 by PA

Oli Shaw’s goal was enough to secure victory for Hibernian at Hamilton – but their first win in eight matches came at a cost as Martin Boyle was wheeled off on a stretcher.

The winger, who scored a double on his first start for Australia last month, was injured in a collision with Hamilton goalkeeper Gary Woods in first-half stoppage-time.

Hibs recovered from the blow and claimed a much-needed three Ladbrokes Premiership points when Shaw converted substitute Daryl Horgan’s 65th-minute cross.

The game was also notable for injuries to three goalkeepers – two just before kick-off.

Woods replaced Jan Mucha after the former Everton goalkeeper pulled out during the warm-up, but he went off at half-time himself having received treatment early on after being caught by Shaw as he claimed Boyle’s low cross.

Jacob Marsden, a 22-year-old former Ipswich trainee, found himself making his first-team debut despite not being included in the original matchday squad.

Hibs were also forced into a last-minute change when Ofir Marciano replaced Adam Bogdan for his first appearance of the season following a finger injury.

Hamilton looked slightly more dangerous in the opening quarter as James Keatings pulled the strings in an attacking midfield role, but Miquel Nelom produced a goal-saving tackle on Rakish Bingham when the former Hibs player threaded the ball through.

Woods stopped two well-hit long-range strikes from Stephen Mallan before Marciano saved a decent effort from Bingham.

Keatings missed the best chance of the half when he screwed Mickel Miller’s cutback wide of the far post from six yards.

The game was held up for about 10 minutes before Boyle was wheeled off on a stretcher after being caught by Woods as the goalkeeper jumped to claim a long ball. Head coach Neil Lennon went on to the pitch to check on his player as he received treatment.

The hosts came close soon after the break when Ziggy Gordon headed just wide from a Keatings free-kick before Marsden got an early chance to show his worth. He did not disappoint, diving to push away Florian Kamberi’s strike after the forward was set up by Boyle’s replacement, Emerson Hyndman.

Marsden made more saves from Kamberi, Shaw and an excellent close-range stop from Hyndman, but Hibs made their next chance count when Horgan, who had come on seconds earlier, crossed for Shaw to side-foot home at the far post.

Another long medical delay ended with a groggy-looking Tom Taiwo being replaced by Steven Boyd as Hamilton went with four attacking players.

But there was no way back for the hosts and Marsden made further stops from Shaw and Vykintas Slivka before Hibs kept possession for the majority of the six minutes of stoppage time.