Hibernian travelled to Duns for the first time in 19 years to take on the Dingers in the fundraising match, which the visitors won 10-1.

Hibs manager John Hughes and reserve team coach Gareth Evans named five first-team squad players in the starting 11 to face the Amateurs, who are now managed by Hughes' ex Falkirk team mate Neil Oliver.

A 500-strong crowd watched Hibernian open the scoring after just nine minutes through first team player Kevin McCann, who placed his shot into the corner of the Duns net from the edge of the box. This was a sign of things to come with the Border Amateur A League side conceding another seven goals in the first half.

The home side did reduce the deficit with five minutes of the first half remaining, when Dougie Reid raced down the right wing and placed a fine cross to Stephen Burns who nodded home from 12 yards to make it 7-1, but Hibs bagged another before half time.

Gareth Evens made four changes at the interval and Hibs got their ninth just after the hour mark, and made double figures ten minutes later.

But with the game raising £1,500 for the Duns club both teams were winners, with both sides and spectators alike enjoying their day out.

Duns chairman Andy Simpson was delighted to welcome such a high profile club to the Borders, and said the visitors were more than happy on the day.

"It went extremely well," Simpson said, "the Hibs camp were very happy, the pitch was perfect for them. They've offered to come back again at any time which is great for Duns.

"A lot of work went into staging the game but everyone was pleased with how it turned out - it has been an extremely good fund raiser and an excellent experience for the lads.

"It was a steep learning curve for our players but they thoroughly enjoyed the chance to play against these professionals."

Duns last played Hibs 19 years ago in the public park, when the visitors won 4-2. The chance for the two sides to meet again came about when Duns appointed manager Neil Oliver last month.

"There's a close friendship between the two managers, John Hughes and Neil Oliver," Simpson explained. "Neil played with John Hughes so that's where the connection came from."

Despite the heavy defeat the Duns side gave a lot to the game against quality opposition.

"They brought an extremely strong squad," Simpson added. "Hibernian won the under 19s championship last season and although some of those players have moved on they still sent a nucleus of seven or eight from that team, and one player, Kevin McCann, who's had a lot of first team experience. Gareth Evans wanted to give him an hour or so to help his match fitness but he played the full 90 minutes.

"It was a big day for our players, they were all excited and a few of them were quite nervous, particularly goalkeeper Robert Anderson. He told me he was feeling a bit tense in the stomach before the game! But he made some extremely good saves and John Hughes gave him the man of the match."

There was a reception at the White Swan, Duns' main sponsor, after the game, attended by both teams, managers and back room staff.
"We had a buffet laid on for them and the teams stayed for a while," Andy said. "I think Hibernian were quite pleased with the way we received them, they were very complimentary about what we had done for them."

500 people turned out to watch the game which, at just £2 a head, proved a good day out. Simpson added: "It was a great family day out and it was a big event for the town."

Duns Amateurs football club would like to thank all those who supported and attended the game, and helped to make the day a huge success.