Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Short-staffed Hibs travelled to take on the league leaders at Carmuirs Park with only two recognised defenders, Dean McMillan and Ian Shanks (who was forced out of retirement earlier in the season).

The two 'stand-ins' were midfielders Robbie Westwaters and Jamie McNeish who was returning from injury, his previous appearance coming in early October.

And it has to be said that this 'makeshift' defence, along with goalkeeper Macauley Jarrett put in a sterling performance with ultimately just one goal separating the sides.

In terms of attempts on goal there's no doubt that the home side were the superior outfit but the only time they managed to breach Thornton's defence came in the 33rd minute, Dean Aitken's powerful drive flashing into the net.

The closest the Hibs came to equalising was early in the second-half with Ross Hain's reaction of throwing his hands to his head suggesting that he thought he should've done better than shoot straight into the hands of Dean Shaw.

Harris Jolicoeur might've nicked a goal in the dying moments of the game when Shaw parried a pass back that rebounded off the Hibs' substitute and looped agonisingly over the bar.

Camelon Juniors: Shaw, Burns, Taggart, Fitzpatrick, McQuaid, Finlay, McKenzie, Kirkpatrick, Wade, Taylor, Aitken. Subs: Macgowan, Berry, Walton, Sinclair, Mackay, Narley, White.

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Westwaters, McMillan, McNeish, Shanks, Coleman, Keatings, Hain, McCallion, McNab, Soutar. Subs: Thomson, Adam, Black, Jolicoeur, Doctor.

Referee: Mr C.Newman

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - CJ 16 TH 6
Attempts on target - CJ 12 TH 2
Corners - CJ 13 TH 4
Offside - CJ 2 TH 1
Free kicks conceded - CJ 16 TH 10
Yellow Cards - CJ 4 TH 4
Red Cards - CJ 0 TH 0

Statto's Corner:
* Max Coleman became the first Hibs player to make 100 appearances in the East of Scotland Football League (Thornton have played a total of 115 League matches since joining the EoSFL at the beginning of 2020/21).
* This was only the third League meeting between the sides and the first under the tenure of manager Craig Gilbert. Unfortunately, he was not there to see it as he was holidaying in Tenerife!. The Camelon manger (Allan Moore) went one better though - he wasn't in Elevenerife, but visiting relatives in Australia.