09/08/2009 - Forfar Farmington FC Ladies 1 Hibs FC Ladies 3 With the senior Women’s game preparing to start the transition to summer football, Forfar Farmington Ladies kicked off their first match in what will be a ‘short’ 2009 season, to allow a full season to commence in March 2010. Hibs made their first visit to Strathmore Park since the return of Coach Jimmy Burns, and Farmington head coach Mark Nisbet gave debuts to new signings Steph Milne and Jane Brown. On a perfect Strathmore Park surface, it was the home side that had the first chance. Jane Brown dispossessing the Hibs defence and laying the ball back to Caren Webster who pulled her shot wide. At the other end Alana Marshall robbed Claire Garret of the ball with Farmington keeper Fiona McNicoll having to look lively to push her goal bound effort past the post. Hibs took the lead in the 10th minute when some neat play un-hinged the Farmington backline. Brown came tantalising close to equalising in the 12th minute, letting fly from distance with an effort that seemed destined to drop under Watson’s crossbar, however the former Raith custodian did well to tip the ball up and over the bar. Marshall fired wide from distance in the 16th minute, however the visitors would extend their lead two minutes later after Forfar failed to clear their lines, with Lisa Robertson stepping up to fire the ball past McNicoll. Farmington were slightly unlucky not to equalise in the 20th minute after Jones was penalised for climbing over Brown. Emma Percy’s free kick was deflected by the Hibs wall amongst claims for a handball, with the ball being knocked towards Watson’s goal by her own defender – again the visiting keeper did well to smother the danger. Marshall would then turn provider, crossing for Whitelaw whose hesitancy allowed Gordon to the clear the danger. Stacey Cook then let fly with a thunderous strike that brought out a marvellous save from McNicoll, with the visitors continuing to apply pressure. Hibs would hit the woodwork on the half hour mark after some neat play in the Forfar box and Kennedy sliced wide two minutes later. Farmington pulled one back as half time approached, skipper Nicola Davidson beating her marker on the left side of the field and deftly lifting the ball up and over Watson. Forfar’s good work would count for nothing however as Hibs restored their lead two minutes later, Cooke eventually bundling the ball over the line after a mêlée’ in the Forfar box.  Farmington changed their shape for the 2nd half, and introduced Gemma Collier and Caroline Heron, with both changes serving to improve the home sides resilience to the Hibs attack. Winger Bobbie Beveridge was again causing problems to the Hibs flank, first forcing Jones into conceding a corner, then five minutes later beating her marker and cracking a shot off the post with Webster knocking in the rebound. However celebrations were shorted lived as Webster was adjudged to have scored from an off-side position. Hibs had a number of chances to extend their lead before full time, Lisa Robertson coming close before the visitors again had the misfortune to hit the post. The final result of 3-1 was probably a fair reflection on the game as a whole, with both sides likely to be cursing the woodwork. Farmington will take heart from their improved second half performance and Hibs will certainly be looking to continue their winning ways against Inverness next Sunday in the SWPL Cup.