Hibs
battle to win
Almost
all the games in the Scottish Women’s Premier League were wiped out by
the weather last weekend but one fixture that did survive was Hibernian
Ladies trip up north to face Aberdeen. The pitch was far from perfect as
it was heavy having been played on the day before but it was the low sun
that was to cause Hibs problems during a scrappy first half. The game
started at a frantic pace with both teams finding it difficult to play
passes on the poor surface.
Aberdeen
used the low sun to their advantage as time and again they played long
balls trying to catch out the Hibs defence and allowing them a clear run
into goal but although they were finding it difficult the Edinburgh side
did cope with this tactic and on the half hour they themselves took the
lead. Kim Little sent over an inviting corner kick that was met by the
head of Joelle Murray who powered her side in front.
Five minutes from half time Aberdeen to their credit equalised with a
clinical counter-attacking move. Hibernian had the chance to go two
goals up as Kirsty McBride raced into a one-on-one situation with the
goalkeeper but her shot was straight at the Aberdeen shot stopper who
immediately played the ball long and a poor headed clearance by Hibs
defender Louise Young allowed the ball to be played forward to a Dons
striker who stayed calm to round Hibs goalkeeper McDonald and stoke the
ball into the empty net.
Seconds before the half time whistle Hibernian took the lead for a
second time. Julie Ferguson gathered the ball at the edge of the
Aberdeen penalty area and sent a spectacular curling effort that gave
the goalkeeper no chance into the corner of the net. Hibernian entering
the break in front but that was a little harsh on Aberdeen who had
fought very hard in a scrappy encounter.
Half Time: Aberdeen Ladies 1 Hibernian Ladies 2
After a poor first half by their own standards Hibernian changed their
formation for the second period going with a more attacking formation of
3-4-3 and this appeared to immediately pay dividends as they began to
dominate possession. Hibs went on to grab two goals in twenty minutes
that killed the game as a contest.
The first was a simple goal after good work down the right hand side,
Joelle Murray played a pass down the wing to Laura Kennedy who looked up
before playing an inch perfect pass across the face of goal to Suzanne
Grant, who had one touch to control and then slotted the ball in the
bottom right hand corner.
For the second goal, Ferguson played a pass through the heart of the
Aberdeen defence and Suzanne Grant outpaced her marker, just getting to
the ball before the Dons goalkeeper to poke it past her before knocking
it into an unguarded net to ensure the three points were coming back
down to Edinburgh. Suzanne Grant had been caught in the process by the
Aberdeen goalkeeper and it was this injury that was to curtail her game
ten minutes later but not before she sent a shot crashing off the
crossbar as she searched for her first hat trick for the club.
Aberdeen to their credit were still battling away and pulled a goal back
in eighty-five minutes, Kirsty McBride was caught in possession on the
half way line, a simple pass over the top of the Hibs defence was met by
an on rushing Aberdeen striker who coolly lobbed the ball over the
goalkeeper but it was a case of too little too late for the home side as
Hibs ran out deserved winners.
Full Time: Aberdeen Ladies 2 Hibernian Ladies 4
After the game Kirsty McBride was happy with the three points but not
the performance, she commented: “It wasn't one of our best
performances but we still got the three points. Credit to Aberdeen
though they played well and had a good few chances. They battled really
well but I don't think we did ourselves any favours the way we played.
We were second to everything for a good thirty minutes but it all came
together in the end. Sometimes we don't meet our own high expectations,
which is not necessarily doing badly just not as good as it could be.”
Manager Iain Johnston added: “It was perfect playing conditions, no
wind and clear skies, the only problem being was a heavy pitch that was
played on the day before and a low sun which was making things difficult
for us in the first half but we ground out the result and that is what
is pleasing. Attentions are now turned to the Premier League Cup final,
which should be a cracker, weather permitting. Both teams will be going
into the game with confidence after a few good results recently. We are
bolstered by the news that Stacey Cook is not far away from a starting
place.”
On Thursday Hibernian Ladies face Edinburgh Ladies in the final of the
Premier League Cup. The match takes place at Broadwood Stadium and has a
7:45pm kick off. Admission prices have been set at £3 for an adult and
£1 for children.
Richard
Payne
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