City Suffer Euro Hangover

Glasgow City suffered a Euro hangover today dropping two points at home to Hibernian after a 2-2 finish.

On a rain soaked pitch in strong winds, this was a difficult match for both sides. However, it was hesitancy and not conditions which gave City their first opportunity, when Hibs and Scottish internationalist Rhonda Jones took too long on the ball allowing City striker Ruesha Littlejohn an effort on goal, which Gemma Fay in the Hibs net did well to block, rushing from her line to avert the danger.

City did open the scoring midway through the first half when an excellent cross from Katharina Lindner met the onrushing Sue Lappin to guide the ball in from close range at the back post. Within ten minutes Hibs responded when a long ball evaded the City defence allowing Hibs midfielder Stacey Cook to hit a well taken first time volley into the City net.

The home side then went agonisingly close to restoring their lead through Leanne Ross. Cutting inside her marker, Ross hit a tremendous shot on the turn from 25 yards, but with Fay beaten, Ross saw her effort cannon off the cross bar and away to safety. Ross then had another chance and with Fay off her line tried to lob the ball over and into the empty net. However, good pressure from the Hibs defence meant Ross had to rush her effort and the ball ended up just wide of the post.

Half time 1-1.

At the restart City were forced to reshuffle with first choice keeper Angie Livingstone forced to go off with ankle ligament damage and Laura Williamson came on in her place.

Midway through the second half City restored their lead through Sue Lappin, when the midfielder got her second of the day. A free kick from Leanne Ross was delivered into a crowded Hibs penalty box and Lappin rose above everyone else, to direct her header powerfully past the Hibs and Scotland Number One Fay.

With few chances now falling either way for both sides in difficult conditions, City thought they had won the match, but within minutes of the restart poor concentration cost Glasgow City dearly. Once more a long ball from the Hibs rearguard found its way into the City penalty box and with no-one marking her, Cook was able to once more put her side level with a close range finish past the diving Williamson in the City net.

City boss Peter Caulfield was disappointed. He said, “We looked tired today. I feared we may be a little jaded with so many intense games in short a short space of time between the Celtic semi-final, our three matches in Europe and this one today. However, we were in the lead twice and when you are in front you can only throw it away which is what we did today. To lose the second goal so soon after we took the lead once more, was criminal. However, the League is not decided this early on in the season. We wanted three points, but given the fixture calendar we have had over the past couple of weeks, a point is far from a disaster.”

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Ladies Make A Point

On Sunday afternoon Hibernian Ladies twice came from behind to draw with last seasons Champions Glasgow City. It was the first time this season that City have dropped any points and demonstrates to the young Hibernian side that they are still a match for any side in Scotland.

The weather was far from ideal as the teams met on a wet and windy Glasgow Green, the conditions making playing free-flowing football virtually impossible. City were the first to create a chance in the opening minutes when Rhonda Jones was robbed of possession on the edge of the penalty area, that allowed Ruesha Littlejohn the chance to shoot and she did not need to be asked twice but Gemma Fay was alert to the threat, racing from her line to block bravely.

 Midway through the first half the home side opened the scoring when Suzanne Lappin scored at the back post following a fine cross from Katharina Lindner. Hibernian to their credit refused to let their heads drop and they fought their way back into the match.

Soon after Hibernian were level when Stacey Cook broke free of the offside trap to race in behind the City defence and send an unstoppable shot past Angie Livingstone. Hibernian had a lucky escape before the half time break when a stunning turn and shot from City’s Leanne Ross crashed back off their cross bar with Gemma Fay well beaten.

Leanne Ross had another chance to put her side into the lead soon after when she tried to lob the out rushing Gemma Fay but the City striker was just off target with her effort and the Hibs goal survived a little longer. Injury forced City to change their goalkeeper during the half time interval but it had no impact on the pattern of the play with the Glasgow side were on top and creating the better opportunities.

With 20 minutes remaining City restored their lead when Suzanne Lappin powerfully headed a free kick from Leanne Ross beyond Gemma Fay. Many expected City to go on and claim victory but Hibernian were in no mood to roll over and accept defeat and within minutes of the restart they were level.

Once again City were caught out by a long ball forward and Stacey Cook was there to score her second goal of the afternoon.. Cook’s well timed runs were proving difficult for City to counter. Both sides pressed for a winner but in the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils on an afternoon where playing football was difficult due to the weather conditions.

Hibernian had shown remarkable spirit and determination to come back twice and they will be hoping that this result is the start a positive run that has Jimmy Burns side climb the table. Winger Lisa Robertson, who made the step up from the Girls side during the summer, still believes Hibs can win the title: ”We are only a handful of games into the season and there is a long, long way to go.” said the youngster. Lisa has settled in well to the senior side but she has been helped along the way by her team-mates. She commented: ”It has not been as hard as I thought it was going to be fitting into the side, as everyone has been really supportive. The standard of football is a lot higher and more physical but I am coping fine and enjoying it.

“The set up Hibernian have is excellent and there is a natural path of progression for the younger players to come through the ranks. I know I have to keep playing well if I am to keep my place in the side and I see no reason why we can not lift some silverware this season.”