Following the International break, Hibernian Ladies returned to league business on Sunday and a game that may have a pivotal part to play in the destination of the SWPL title this season as the Hibees faced rivals Glasgow City. The resolve of the Hibernian team would be tested to the maximum in a hard fought encounter and not for the first time, this Hibs team proved just why they are the best in Scotland.

With City six points clear at the top of the league, having played two games more than their Edinburgh rivals, it was important for Hibernian not to fall any further behind and give the early season impetus to Glasgow. The Easter Road side made one change from the side that defeated City 5-3 in the Premier League Cup last month with Pauline Hamill missing due to injury, which meant a starting berth for Laura Kennedy.

From early on the game was played at a frantic pace but it was Glasgow City that started the most dominant, putting Hibernian under a lot of pressure as they chased and harried the Hibs players in packs while by contrast the Edinburgh side were struggling to string two passes together. The visitors had started very strongly and took a deserved lead on 20 minutes when Donna Shaw latched onto a free kick to direct a header into the corner of the net and things were to get worse for Hibs as Shelley Kerr was forced to come off due to illness, she was replaced by Frankie Brown.

 Hibs tried to find a way back into the game and Joelle Murray had a shot from the edge of the box that went just wide of goal but there was little they could do to change the flow of the match as City continued to over power Hibernian. With the half time break approaching City grabbed a second goal as Leanne Ross's high ball into the back post picked out the late run of Suzanne Lappin who made no mistake as she fired her side into a comfortable advantage.

Half Time: Hibernian Ladies 0 Glasgow City 2

Some strong words were delivered by Manager Maggie Wilson to her troops during the half time break and Hibs returned a more determined side, they were staring defeat in the face and the next goal was going to be crucial, should Hibs get it that would mean it was game on but if City scored a third it was all over. A rejuvenated Hibs side were finding City difficult to break down and just before the hour mark Maggie Wilson decided to reshuffle the formation and Kim Little was pushed upfront to make it 4-3-3.

The change make an immediate impact with Kim Little driving at the City defence but it was going to take something special to break through the resolute visiting defence and that came courtesy of Joelle Murray, the youngster picked the ball up on the half way line and drove at the City rearguard, a gap suddenly appeared and she fired an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top corner past Angie Livingstone to drag her side back into the game. The lift the goal gave was evident in Hibs play and suddenly the City players who had until now seemed focussed and on top, now looked nervous and desperate.

Hibernian were hungry for an equaliser and Suzanne Grant went close when she got on the end of Kirsty McBride's cross but could not keep her effort down however, five minutes later she made no mistake to haul Hibs level. Kim Little did well on the wing before picking out Suzanne Grant who took one touch to control the ball before firing it past Angie Livingstone.

The shell shocked City players did try and regain control of the match that was fast falling from their grasp and they almost went back in front when Katharina Linder ran onto a ball through from Jayne Sommerville, the striker looked set to score when Frankie Brown produced a stunning last gasp tackle to deny her and clear the ball to safety. The comeback was completed however when Suzanne Grant found herself unmarked in the City penalty box following a Kim Little corner kick and she made no mistake from close range as Hibs went in front for the first time in the game.

As the euphoria settled down Hibernian went back to business and protected their lead, on the break Hibs were looking dangerous and almost extended their lead had it not been for the reactions of Angie Livingstone who made a point blank save from Kim Little. The game ended soon after with Hibernian claiming all three points, it may be a sometimes overused cliché in football but this really was a game of two halves. City should have put the game beyond Hibs in the first half but they were made to pay by a Hibernian side that never knows when it is beaten.

Full Time: Hibernian Ladies 3 Glasgow City 2

Hibernian Ladies: Gemma Faye, Julie Ferguson, Stacey Cook, Shelley Kerr, Kirsty McBride, Joelle Murray, Kim Little, Mandy Burns, Natalie Ross, Laura Kennedy, Suzanne Grant. Subs Tracey Burns, Suzy Robertson, Frankie Brown.

After the game Hibernian and Scotland Internationalist Julie Ferguson commented on her teams exceptional fight-back, saying:"We let ourselves down badly in the first half, City were the better team and they deserved their lead however, at half –time we came out believing that we could get something out the game and knew that if we upped our performance level then that would happen. Joelle's goal was the turning point it gave us the lift we needed and we went from strength to strength.

"This team has unbelievable spirit and again we showed that today, in the first half we did get frustrated with one another, but second half we put it behind us and got the result we wanted. We are delighted for each other and the coaches – they were great again at half time and gave us the motivation we needed for the second half. Every Hibs player deserves credit right through the whole squad, it’s not about the starting 11, it’s about every player, everyone was so positive in the second half and that lifted the whole team. We know there are many difficult games ahead, this was a great test of our character and I think we passed – we know we have to keep this going for the rest of the season."

The result leaves Hibernian still trailing City at the top of the SWPL by three points however, they have two games in hand. The Hibees now move onto next weekend and the first chance for silverware this season when they face Queens Park Ladies in the final of the Premier League Cup.

Richard Payne

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