Turriff United put up a brave showing in the biggest game in their history in front of a record Haughs crowd but were unable to prevent Championship side Hibs running out comfortable Irn-Bru Cup winners.
Two quickfire first-half goals put the Edinburgh side in firm command, with strikes from Fraser Murray and former Ross County attacker Brian Graham, before Martin Boyle added a third towards the end.
The Highland League players were far from disgraced in front of a crowd of 1,791, however, ensuring Neil Lennon’s Hibees did not run riot despite a lightning start, with United goalkeeper Kevin Main in inspired form.
It was an occasion for Ross Jack’s side to enjoy, having earned its place in the third round of the newly revamped competition thanks to victories against St Johnstone under-20s and Montrose.
Despite the absence of regulars such as Jason Cummings, Andrew Shinnie and John McGinn, Hibs’ line-up showed plenty respect for their hosts, with Murray, Calum Crane and right back Scott Martin the only youngsters included from the start.
Turriff had to weather an early onslaught, with the visitors on the offensive straight from the kick-off and Main making the first of several fine saves just 11 seconds into the match when he diverted Alex Harris’ 20-yard effort off target via the upright.
Hibs struck the woodwork for a second time just three minutes in when Graham sent a thumping strike off the bar on the turn.
A long afternoon looked to be in store for Turriff but the Aberdeenshire men gradually settled into their stride and they were presented with their first glimpse on six minutes when David Booth intercepted Hibs skipper Paul Hanlon’s loose pass before picking out Andrzej Kleczkowski. But he was not able to get enough purchase on his effort.
Main was called into action again on 16 minutes, doing well to hold Dylan McGeouch’s long-range effort but he was picking the ball out of his net just seconds later, as Boyle picked out Murray, who supplied a low cushioned finish into the far corner from 12 yards.
The Turriff defence was breached again five minutes later, with Graham flicking a header home from close-range from McGeouch’s delivery. A promising start to the attacker’s Hibs career, having got off the mark in the previous weekend’s 4-0 win against Morton.
Hibs should have made it three just moments later when Harris sidefooted wide with the goal at his mercy, before Main did well to smother Calum Crane’s low effort.
Main continued his impressive form throughout the remainder of the first-half, making two excellent saves to deny Graham from adding to his tally, while Turriff midfielder Booth called Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano into action for the first time with a free kick which was well held.
Hibs began the second-half just as they did the first, with Harris seeing his bullet header come back off the crossbar two minutes after the break. Turriff began to create further glimpses of goal, however, with Kleczkowski seeing his effort well held by Marciano, but their best chance arrived when the Polish attacker turned provider for Leszek Nowosielski to have a strike, but he hit his effort well wide of target.
Jack rang the changes, introducing Nick Gray, Jamie Clark and Robert Allan into the action, and, although Turriff continued to frustrate the visitors in parts, they were unable to prevent Hibs wrapping up their progression to the fourth round on 76 minutes. Graham turned provider to set up Aberdonian midfielder Boyle to tuck home the third goal.
Although an upset never looked to be on the cards, it is certain to have been a productive afternoon for Jack’s men as attention now switches to Wednesday’s Aberdeenshire Cup semi-final against Cove Rangers.
