David Brockett rounds up the week’s Development League action.
Kicking off in the capital, Hibs avenged their 3-2 defeat in the first Edinburgh Derby of the year with a 2-1 win over Hearts this afternoon. Despite Hearts taking the lead through Jordan McGhee’s 25 yard free kick, Jordan McGregor and Lewis Allan netted as the Hibees look to cement fourth spot. Hearts, who have now lost in six consecutive matches, started with seven aged 17 or younger, while they also had two 14 year olds on the bench.
Dundee United became the first side to score nine goals in a game when they comprehensively beat Ross County 9-2 on Monday. Recent signing Justin Johnson bagged himself a hat trick and had a hand in three of the other goals as the Arabs strolled to victory. Aaron Duke grabbed a brace as Scott Smith, Euan Spark, Matti Smith and Chris McLaughlin all netted to break a record only set by Hamilton Accies last month.
The heavy defeat for the Staggies was preceded by Good Friday’s 2-2 draw with St Johnstone. Ben Frempah and Richard Brittain were on target for County, while Paul Simpson and Alex Kitchen netted for the Saints. The Dingwall club, who have conceded the highest number of goals in the division, have also been involved in the most draws this season with 7, alongside St Mirren and Hibs.
With second-placed Accies not in action, Celtic closed the gap to two points with a 2-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Monday. Two goals in two first half minutes from Michael Duffy and Derk Boerrigter saw the Hoops take control of the game. Paul Simpson’s late consolation, his second in as many games, wasn’t enough to grab a point however, as Celtic marched on to their third win in a row.
Dundee’s Josh Skelly's sublime strike was the difference as Eddie Johnston’s Dark Blues held on for a narrow 1-0 win over Rangers last Thursday.
Rangers then bounced back with a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Forthbank on Tuesday. Goals from Calum Gallagher and Jamie Burrows ensured Ian Durrant’s side took all three points, leaving Killie without a win in 12 games.
Partick Thistle continued their good run of form with a 2-0 win over Inverness CT, the first time the Jags have won three consecutive matches this season. Goals from Dominic Docherty and Andrew McCarthy - his first Development League goal in only his second start - brought all three points back to Firhill, meanwhile Inverness are on a run of four straight defeats and failed to score for the ninth time this season.
Motherwell, sitting tenth in the table, got back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Hearts. Ross MacLean’s double, alongside goals from Luke Watt and Steven Higgins set the Steelmen on the road to their first win since losing to Partick Thistle and Celtic respectively.
