Hibernian Ladies v Aberdeen FC Ladies - Premier League 2nd. December 2007

Hibernian Ladies 1 – Aberdeen FC Ladies 1

Aberdeen travelled to Dalkeith to meet Hibs, a side desperate to get back on winning ways following their first league defeat in three years the previous week.

The home side attacked early forcing Aberdeen back before the Reds broke up the right forcing Ross to clear. Hibs pushed forward again with a couple of shots before Grant won them a corner. Played short to Ross it was harried away by Aberdeen. Hib’s Ferguson rattled the bar then a long ball to Murray was chased but Chatham was first to it to clear.

Aberdeen re-shuffled from to 4-4-2 to try and absorb the pressure the defence doing well to deal with continuous attacks while adapting to the new formation. Right back Small was now free to break forward, getting to the goal line, forcing a corner. Played in to the near post, Young returned it to Corsie, it ping ponged around the goal until played wide for a goal kick.

The game was fairly even at this point, Aberdeen now getting forward more using the width better. Aberdeen had a half chance Wright forcing two parries off the keeper before Hibs cleared and Sharon Scott tried a pot shot from 30 yards. Hib’s Mandy Burns was sent off 37 minutes after kicking a ball away then the ref heard something which resulted in a straight red. However the 10 “man” Hibs bore the Aberdeen pressure well with only half chances from Corsie and Sharon Scott to note before half time.

Half Time Hibs 0 – Aberdeen 0

Hibs came out hard from the kick off and a cross in looked dangerous, Reds keeper Chatham doing enough to give Taylor and Fitzpatrick time to close down. Seven minutes into the half Aberdeen went ahead as WRIGHT was picked out with a long ball. She did well to control under pressure from two defenders and pick her spot to put the visitors ahead.

Hibs equalised three minutes later, a long ball in from the left saw MURRAY charge in at the back post and hit the net. Hibernian turned up the pace to try and get ahead with Grant, Ross and Murray all shooting, Taylor finally blocking allowing Chatham to pick up. Hibs were on top at this point despite being a player down with only a solo effort from Martin breaking the constant pressure.

Murray and Stirling replaced Hamill and Sharon Scott 15 minutes in as the home side continued to press, keeping the Dons in their own half for long spells. Aberdeen’s Stirling was found by Corsie and chased goalwards, jinking and dribbling for space before finally conceding a goal kick.

Aberdeen was still under pressure from the depleted Hibs side that were determined not to drop more points this week. Eventually the Reds broke out again, Stirling first shooting over the bar then going one on one and firing straight at the keeper. Aberdeen pushed again towards the end Wright collecting and with only the keeper to beat played wide again.

The Reds left Edinburgh disappointed not to take all three points against the weakened but spirited Hibs side but with the first point taken from Hibs since joining the Premier League in 2004 had a small success to celebrate.

Allanah Chatham, Rachael Small, Lorna Young, Jenni Taylor, Paula Scott, Rachel Corsie, Rachel Hamill ( Susan Murray), Chloe Fitzpatrick, Claire Martin, Nikki Wright, Sharon Scott (Melissa Stirling).

Not Used
Rachel Gauld, Neda Djahansouzi 

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Hibernian stutter as winter shutdown approaches

Hibernians great start to the season came to a halt in recent weeks following a loss to Celtic Ladies and a recent draw with Aberdeen Ladies.

The ladies have been struggling with a few injuries and more recently were rocked by the death of Stacey Cooks father, Stacey an influential player in the Hibs squad was missing in the home game to Aberdeen and the players have all felt the impact of the loss.

Hibernian defender Julie Ferguson added "It has been a rough couple of weeks for us as a team, with the loss of Shelley Kerr and Gemma Faye against Celtic, we didnt play to our full potential.

Going into the Aberdeen game the girls have endured a tough week, first we had the loss of Staceys dad, then Alison Donnelly was rocked by the death of her grandmother, we went into the Aberdeen game with 11 players but to honest it was a tough day all round.   We did play well enough and created enough chances to win the game but it wasn't to be.   Sunday was an emotional day for everyone involved a Hibs.     We have stuttered in recent weeks but we have the players and the management to bounce back.

On behalf of everyone at Hibernian Ladies, thoughts are with the Cook and the Donnelly family.