Hibernian close in on Title

Hibernian Ladies took a huge step on Tuesday evening to retaining the Scottish Women’s Premier League title when the defeated Glasgow City to move five points clear at the top the table. Goals from the dynamite strike force of Kim Little and Suzanne Grant were enough to earn the Hibees all three points in this hard fought contest.

Glasgow City boasted a two-year unbeaten home record, so this game would prove no easy challenge for the Edinburgh team. Coaches Iain and Paul Johnston chose to make four changes ahead of the pivotal contest, out went Kirsty McBride, Julie Ferguson, Louise Young and Natalie Ross while Stacey Cook, Frankie Brown, Shelley Grant and Laura Kennedy replaced them.

As expected the game started at a frantic pace with both teams trying to assert some early pressure, neither team providing good football as they tried to impose themselves on the game. In truth the first fifteen minutes was a midfield battle with neither side creating clear-cut chances. The first opportunity of game fell to prolific striker Kim Little, playing wide on the left she outran her marker McNicol and burst into the box, beating the tackle from Montgomery but her shot was well saved by the City goalkeeper. Both teams continued to press, looking for the first vital goal and City almost took the lead when Jane Ross outran Suzy Robertson before unleashing a powerful shot that Joanne Hutcheson saved well, pushing it around the post.

The game was on a knife-edge and the breakthrough came midway through the half, Laura Kennedy fired a high ball into the box from the left, Stacey Cook jumped to meet the ball but Mallon cleared - but only as far as Joelle Murray who fired the ball across the box where Suzanne Grant met it first time to fire Hibs into lead. It was the former City players twenty-sixth goal of the season. With Hibs now looking the dominant team they looked to extend their lead, however the City goalkeeper saved well after another great move involving Kim Little.

City pressed forward and a ball in behind the Hibs defence found the feet of Ross, as she went to strike the ball, Shelley Grant made a tackle but the referee adjudge this a foul and awarded a penalty kick. A harsh decision against the Hibees and Montogemery made no mistake as she stepped up for City and fired the ball past Joanne Hutcheson to level the score. Shortly before half time Hibernian lost influential defender Shelley Kerr through an ankle injury and Natalie Ross came into the game to see out the half.

Half Time: Glasgow City 1 Hibernian Ladies 1

Hibernian, fired up by what they felt was an injustice with the penalty kick returned for the second half with a point to prove and they did from the word go, hunting and pressing the ball high up the field. The Hibees were completely on top with City unable to create space or room to set up any chances, Kim Little who was a constant threat down the left and almost fired Hibs back into the lead but her shot was deflected wide by the goalkeeper.

A second goal for Hibernian was coming and five minutes later it duly arrived when Mandy Burns picked up the ball in the middle of the park and found the run of Kim Little who outran her marker before dragging the ball past the goalkeeper and firing Hibs into a well deserved lead. Hibs went from strength to strength, creating chances through Suzanne Grant, Kim Little, Mandy Burns and Natalie Ross, but the City goalkeeper wasn’t in the mood for conceding any other goals.

As the game came to an end City almost grabbed a late leveller but Hibernian had the quick reactions of goalkeeper Joanne Hutcheson to thank as she kept her side in the lead. The final whistle signalled a massive three points for Hibernian and while it does not secure the destination of the SWPL Championship, it is a huge advantage at this late stage in the season.

Full Time: Glasgow City 1 Hibernian Ladies 2

Hibernian Ladies: Joanne Hutcheson, Shelley Kerr, Suzy Robertson, Shelley Grant, Frankie Brown, Stacey Cook, Mandy Burns, Kim Little, Joelle Murray, Laura Kennedy, Suzanne Grant. Subs: Louise Young, Alison Donnelly, Marlene Pearson, Natalie Ross, Debbie McDonald

Afterwards Julie Ferguson, who was forced to watch her team-mates from the sidelines commented: ”I was so proud of the girls they were outstanding, even when we conceded the penalty we didn’t give up and kept going. Every player deserves credit, they were fantastic all night and there were a few outstanding performances from Burns, Little and Hutcheson but this was a team performance and one that proves that we are so difficult to beat! We still have to play City twice and we have other difficult league games coming up but we know what we have to do. The league is in our hands and we have to put in this kind of performance over the next few weeks to assure the trophy comes back to Edinburgh.”
 

Richard Payne