Ladies march on!

After winning their third Scottish Cup in five years, Hibernian Ladies were back to Scottish Women’s Premier League business on Wednesday knowing two more victories will clinch the title as they travelled to Forfar to face a young but very determined side. Hibs made two changes to the side that thumped Glasgow City in the Scottish Cup with Joanna Hutchison returning between the sticks and Laura Kennedy starting upfront at the expense of Debbie McDonald and Kim Little who was rested.

Hibs started the game as if they were still playing from Sunday; they were making passes and in the early stages created a few openings with Suzanne Grant going close on a couple of occasions. The breakthrough game in the first ten minutes when a driving run through the middle from Joelle Murray found the run of Suzanne Grant and she outran her marker and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. The momentum was all with Hibs, Forfar never looking to give Hibs any problems, shortly after it was 2-0 this time a long throw from Joelle Murray found the head of Mandy Burns who flicked the ball onto Suzanne Grant and her first time volley gave the goalkeeper no chance

Hibs were relentless, the sign of a team who are determined to retain their league title and just five minutes later they were 3-0 up, this time the ball wide from Suzanne Grant found the run of Natalie Ross, she got away from her marker and hit a first time shot off the cross bar which rebounded to the same player and see needed no second opportunity with a clinical finish.

 Forfar had barely crossed the half way line and Hibs continued to press, some unselfish work from Laura Kennedy could have saw Suzanne Grant get her hat-trick but the Forfar goalkeeper saved well Hibs finally got the fourth of the half when Natalie Ross was brought down twenty yards out, up stepped Stacey Cook and she hit a low drive into the bottom corner, for her fourth goal of an injury plagued season.

There was no way back for Forfar who were now beginning to look weary. There was some bad news for Hibs when Frankie Brown had to go off with a hamstring injury, Kirsty McBride came in and replaced her as Hibernian ended the half with the points secure.

Half Time: Forfar Farmington 0 Hibernian Ladies 4

The second half started the same as the first with Hibs completely dominant, they had played free flowing football in the first half and Forfar simply could not live with the movement from all over the pitch. With the three points all but secured Hibs did lose their shape a little with everyone looking to get in on the act and grab a goal, to the dismay of Hibs manager Iain Johnston who was instructing his players to keep their shape and play football.

Hibs were never going to lose this game or in fact looked like losing a goal, their lead could have been extended when Mandy Burns narrowly missed and this was followed up by a miss from Kirsty McBride. Hibs still were working the ball and the fullbacks were becoming influential as the Forfar midfield tired Hibs grew stronger and were on the hunt for more goals. The fifth goal of the game came from the feet of no other than Suzanne Grant after some good work from sister Shelly she fired a low ball across the box and Suzanne got away from her marker and fired home her 36th goal in 22 games this season.

The game was over as a contest and it wasn’t a matter of would Hibs score again more like when! Again some good moves involving Mandy Burns, Stacey Cook and Kirsty McBride almost came off but Forfar managed to scramble the ball clear. In the dying minutes a surging run from Kirsty McBride down the left and she hit a ball high into the box for Suzanne Grant to score her 4th of the game. This game was never a contest in terms of who would win – however, Hibs went about there business professionally they’ve had some tough games over the last few weeks and this game was a chance for them to catch their breathe before they go into a difficult game on Sunday against Kilmarnock, a win would assure the league title, so Hibs will be going all out to win the game.

Full Time: Forfar Farmington 0 Hibernian Ladies 6

Hibernian Ladies: Joanna Hutchison, Frankie Brown, Stacey Cook, Suzy Robertson, Shelley Grant, Joelle Murray, Julie Ferguson, Mandy Burns, Natalie Ross, Laura Kennedy, Suzanne Grant. Subs: Debbie McDonald, Marlene Pearson, Shelley Kerr, Kirsty McBride and Kim Little.

After the game influential midfielder Julie Ferguson was delighted with the result and determined not to let standards drop, she said: ”Obviously the girls were on a high from Sundays game, but we made sure we stayed focussed on League business, the game was over by half-time and that was pleasing for everyone. We had spoke about starting quick and getting a grip on the game and that’s exactly what we did – second half we took our foot off the gas a bit but in being so comfortable there was no need to take any chances. We are looking forward to Sundays game which we know another win would secure the league – but we know this game will be entirely different, Killie are a good team and work very hard.”

Defender Shelley Grant also commented:”It was a very professional performance from the girls and we know if we beat Kilmarnock the league is ours. My sister Suzanne was on fire scoring four goals but she has always been a goal machine! If we had been more clinical in the final third it could have been 10-0.”

Seven possibly eight Hibernian players will represent Scotland Ladies on Wednesday evening when they face Ukraine in Mariupol. There were call ups for Julie Ferguson, Shelley Kerr, Mandy Burns, Stacey Cook, Kim Little, Kirsty McBride and Suzanne Grant whilst Hibs captain Suzy Robertson is on standby.
 

Richard Payne