• Selkirk 1
  • Hibernian 5

SEETHING Selkirk manager Garry O'Connor hit out last night after his team were taken apart by an impressive young Hibernian at Yarrow Park.

The former Easter Road favourite was critical of the match officials for, what he claimed was, protecting the visitors.

Following the final whistle O'Connor said: "I asked the boys to go out there and put in challenges and be committed but we weren't allowed to do that.

"The referee was blowing up all the time for next to nothing and preventing us making challenges.

"Hibs were a young team tonight but they still put in their own heavy challenges without being punished - they could do it but we couldn't. It has to work both ways.

"When I was a young player at Hibs at John Yogi Hughes kicking me all over the place. You need to learn to play against men but the referee made sure that wasn't to happen tonight."

It should have been a joyous occasion with Hibernian arriving at Yarrow Park with the Scottish Cup.

Around 200 lined the ground to watch a fairly enjoyable opening half.

But after the break the game rarely flowed with freekicks halting play every few minutes.

O'Connor continued: "Our fitness was a problem and that began to show in the second half.

"Fitness is something we are working on and we won't be far from ready when the league starts."

The impressive Jamie Insall almost broke the deadlock after 12 minutes for Hibs.

The 24-year-old, who was banging in goals for East Fife last season, broke clear but he his effort was brilliantly deflected past the post by keeper Daniel Terry.

Selkirk also went close with Jay Doyle showing the skills which made him a Hibs prospect not all that long ago on 22 minutes.

The former East Stirlingshire striker impressively trapped Phil Addison's cross at the back post but his shot was blocked by Alan Combe.

Just a couple of minutes later Ricky Miller, who was making his Selkirk debut, headed a corner inches wide of the far post.

But it was Hibs who took the lead approaching the half hour.

Oli Shaw's initial header was palmed away by Terry only for the 18-year-old to follow up with a close range shot into the net.

Terry did prevent a second before the break after Insall intercepted a James Harley clearance. The Glasgow-based keeper closed down well to block the shot.

Selkirk's top scorer of the pre-season Gary McCormack almost levelled on 55 minutes.

The former Gretna goal machine headed Addison's angled freekick inches wide from 12 yards out.

But Hibernian's pace and off-the-ball runs were soon to start opening up a tiring Selkirk team.

Insall raced onto a through ball on the hour to slot home a second.

And just a minute later Adam Watson's cut back was slammed beyond substitute keeper Kieran Proctor by Lewis Allan.

McCormack did pull a goal back for the hosts as he broke away to round Combe.

But the three goal advantage was restored on 70 minutes as Sean Mackie drilled a low freekick beneath the wall and into the bottom corner.

Selkirk's midfield duo of Andrew Fleming and Miller did their best to turn the tide but it was Hibs who continued to create.

Proctor made a couple of good saves before Aaron Dunsmore raced beyond the defence to make it 5-1.

In the closing stages Jamie Gullan and Kevin Waugh both hit the post with freekicks.

Selkirk were dealt one last blow as the referee forced Selkirk to substitute the increasingly frustrated McCormack with six minutes remaining.

But they had nobody left on the bench and saw out the remainder with ten men.

Selkirk. D Terry (K Proctor 46), M Sampson (M Collin 56), J Moyes (R Scott 71), J Harley, C McDiarmid, R Miller, A Fleming, B Fairgrieve (J Butler 63), G McCormack, J Doyle (K Scott 77) & P Addison.