Hibernian Ladies were forced into one change from the side that hammered Raith Rovers in the Premier League Cup last weekend for their league game against Arsenal North, Scotland Internationalist Kirsty McBride dropping out due to work commitments - she was replaced by Marlene Pearson who was making only her second start of the season.

Arsenal North went into the game full of confidence having recently given Glasgow City a run for their money in the Premier League Cup before being edged out in extra time, and then drawing with Newburgh in an astonishing 6-6 contest, the visitors from Glasgow lining up in a 4-5-1 formation as they looked to stifle Hibs creative play in the middle of the park.

Hibs started well showing some fine passing movement as they probed the Arsenal rear guard looking for an opening. An early chance was created when after a fine one touch passing move Hibernian won a corner kick, and although the corner was partially cleared Little’s cross found Captain Robertson, who was forward for the set piece, with the goalkeeper producing a fine save from a stinging strike. Five minutes later Hibernian produced what they thought was the opening goal and Robertson was involved again. The ball from Robertson found Murray and she crossed the ball into the area finding Laura Kennedy, who hit the ball under the goalkeeper. The ball just about stopped on the line, with Kennedy and a defender both sliding in for the ball, the Hibs forward got there first to force it into the back of the net but the refereed adjudged that Kennedy had committed a foul and blew for a free kick.

Pearson was causing Arsenal all sorts of problems on the left hand side with her pace as Hibernian continued to press but a lapse in concentration almost allowed Arsenal to score first. A ball over the top found a striker in space but Jenna McCandlish got down well and cleared the danger. Hibernian finally went ahead in twenty-five minutes when Young found Little with a perfectly weighted pass, she in turn moved the ball on to Kennedy who fired her shot across the Arsenal goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Hibernian were awarded a penalty ten minutes later after Brown passed to McKenzie, who turned her marker only to be sent crashing to the turf. The referee had no doubt in awarding the spot kick and Little calmly stepped forward to slot home. Hibernian continued to dominate and came close on a couple of occasions before half time with efforts from McKenzie, Kennedy and Little but there was no more scoring before the break.

Half Time: Hibernian Ladies 2 Arsenal North 0

Arsenal came out for the second half fired up, trying to get back into the game and pressing Hibs for the first ten minutes only to find the home defence to be solid, restricting them to long range efforts or free kicks from wide positions. Hibs themselves had a few chances early on with Burns, McKenzie and Little all going close before the third goal came in 65 minutes. Little again found space down the right hand side and sent over a cross which McKenzie looped back over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Arsenal to their credit never gave up and didn’t make anything easy for Hibernian with McCandlish on hand to make two excellent saves as she continues to push for International honours. Hibs fourth goal was one of beauty, McKenzie picked the ball up twenty-five yards from goal and with her back to goal she turned quickly and rifled a shot into the top right corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. The game was now beyond Arsenal and it was no surprise when Hibernian grabbed a fifth. The ball was played over the top of the Arsenal back four by Ferguson who found the run of Little who in turn played the ball on to the run of Kennedy who slotted it under the keeper from six yards.

Arsenal had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score down when she produced fine saves from both Burns and Murray, but Hibernian grabbed a sixth and final goal of the game after a ball over the top from Young found the run of Little. With a fantastic first touch that took her round the keeper she tapped the ball into the unguarded net for her twelth goal in just eight games for Hibernian Ladies.

Full Time: Hibernian Ladies 6 Arsenal North 0

Hibernian Ladies: Jenna McCandlish, Suzy Robertson, Louise Young, Frankie Brown, Marlene Pearson, Julie Ferguson, Mandy Burns, Joelle Murray, Kim Little, Laura Kennedy, Karen MacKenzie. Subs: Debbie McDonald, Alison Donnelly

Hibernian Co-Manager Iain Johnston was pleased with his sides display:-

 “It was a good solid performance against a team that is well organised and full of running. They were a very difficult team to break down but the girls were patient in their build up play and opened up their defence on several occasions to create numerous chances."

“I stressed to the girls at half time we needed more of the same and if we get a third goal it would mean Arsenal would need to open up which would mean creating more space for forwards. I was very pleased with a solid team performance considering we are still minus several players through injury and unavailability. All six goals coming from the main strikers was good for their confidence and another clean sheet was also pleasing.”

Midfielder Julie Ferguson felt it was a satisfying performance:-

 “We started the game quite well building from the back and trying to find a way through their formation, they made it difficult for our strikers, man marking Kim Little from early on. We knew that if we were going to create chances we had to make the ball do the work. We went into it expecting a really tough game against good opposition, they drove Glasgow City to the wire earlier in the season and also they took points off Newburgh so we knew they were going to be tough and hard working."

“At half time we spoke about maintaining the tempo we finished the first half with and not allowing them back into the game. We restricted Arsenal to long-range efforts or free kicks from wide positions. We were totally dominant and deserved to win the game but we were not outstanding and know there is room for improvement. The game was always going to be difficult against a fit and hard working young team. We worked hard as a team and were determined not to concede we worked hard for one another and if one person made a mistake another player was there to back her up."

“Our team spirit has been great since the start of the season and we hope to keep that going. We have got important games coming up and we will be working hard to maintain the results we have been achieving."

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At Dalkeith, Karen MacKenzie, Kim Little and Laura Kennedy all scored twice in Hibs’ 6-0 victory over Arsenal North.

“It was a hard game.” says Hibs boss Iain Johnston. “Arsenal are well organised and a difficult side to break down.

“But the girls managed to open up that defence, create chances and take them. I’m delighted all three of the main forwards got two goals each - and delighted at another clean sheet.”