Hibernian Ladies moved two points clear at the top of the SWPL table at the weekend following their 7-2 victory over Lochee United and Glasgow City being held 1-1 by Raith Rovers. For the visit of Lochee, Hibs kept faith with the side that defeated Newburgh last weekend but they were without the services of Natalie Ross (International duty), Laura Kennedy (Illness) and Louise Young (Holiday).

In many games this season Hibernian have started at a phenomenal pace and the game can be over as a contest before their opponents have even got into the rhythm of the play. On Sunday Hibs were to once again start at a high tempo and they created an early chance when Suzanne Grant found Kim Little loitering in the penalty box and she fired a shot at goal that went just wide. The early pressure was relentless and Hibs created further good opportunities through Suzanne Grant, Kim Little and Kirsty McBride without penetrating the Lochee goal.

A goal for the Edinburgh side was coming and when it did it was delivered courtesy of a counter attack following a rare Lochee forage up field. A ball out of defence found the feet of Joelle Murray who had made a great run down the right wing, she hit a powerful effort across the box and with Julie Ferguson ready to pull the trigger she had her legs taken from under her and the referee was left with no option but to award a penalty. Kim Little took the spot kick and calmly slotted it past the Lochee goalkeeper to give her side a deserved lead.

Hibernian continued to press forward and Lochee were toiling. Hibs almost grabbed a second goal when Kirsty McBride found the forward run of Julie Ferguson; she cut the ball back to Kim Little who hit a shot that was well saved by the Lochee keeper. Approaching half time and Hibernian grabbed the second goal the game when Joelle Murray made a trademark run down the right wing, surging into the box she unleashed a shot that was parried by the goalkeeper to the edge of the box where Stacey Cook was lurking and she fired an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.

Half Time: Hibernian Ladies 2 Lochee United 0

The second half started the way the first had ended with Hibernian applying a lot of pressure on the Lochee defence, the build up play from the Hibees was good from all over the pitch and the influence of Frankie Brown and Shelley Grant was evident as they drove their team forward. The first chance of the half was created when Kirsty McBride fired a ball across the box and found Kim Little, who hit a low drive that was deflected wide for a corner kick. From the resulting set piece Kim Little sent over a cross that Shelley Kerr powerfully headed against the post. It was only a matter of time before Hibs grabbed their third goal and it soon arrived when Kim Little ran onto a through ball before despatching it past the despairing goalkeeper.

With the game looking beyond Lochee they grabbed a lifeline when the Hibs defence and goalkeeper got in a tangle, the ball broke for a Lochee forward to slot the ball into the empty net. The goal did not knock Hibs out of their stride and they went in search of a fourth goal, Frankie Brown linked up with Suzanne Grant who spun off her marker to play a delightful reverse pass through the Lochee defence finding Kim Little who superbly chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net. Hibernian then replaced the impressive Joelle Murray with Mandy Burns who was returning from suspension and for a period of play Hibs seemed slack. It was during this time Lochee grabbed a second goal, a poor clearance from Robertson was latched onto and the ball slipped through for an attacker who hit a low drive past Jo Hutcheson to make it 4-2.

The loss of the goal gave Hibernian a second wind and they raised their game although the fifth goal came with a huge slice of luck. Suzanne Grant who had been making some great runs all game, spun off her defender and fired the ball into the box from wide right and it caught out the goalkeeper who despite scrambling back could not prevent it crossing the line. After Hibernian was awarded an in-direct free kick that was initially closed down, the referee ordered a retake and from it Kim Little curled a delightful pas the goalkeeper for her fortieth goal of a remarkable season.

As the game neared its conclusion Hibernian continued to press and the final goal of the match came when a good ball from Mandy Burns found the foraging run of Shelley Grant who played in Suzanne Grant for her second goal of the game. In the end it was a fantastic three points made all the sweeter by Glasgow City slipping up against Raith Rovers, both sides had 100% records going into this weekend but it is the Edinburgh side that tops the table come the end of it.

Full Time: Hibernian Ladies 7 Lochee United 2

Hibernian Ladies: Jo Hutcheson, Shelley Kerr, Suzy Robertson, Shelley Grant, Frankie Brown, Julie Ferguson, Joelle Murray, Kirsty McBride, Stacey Cook, Suzanne Grant, Kim Little. Subs: Alison Donnelly, Mandy Burns, Debbie McDonald

Afterwards Scotland Midfielder Julie Ferguson commented: ”We knew that Lochee would not be as physical as Newburgh but still difficult to break down nonetheless. We went into the game confident as we had played well against Newburgh and everyone was buzzing in training this week. The game was very one-sided; we never looked like losing the game and created so many chances that we could have scored a lot more goals than we actually did. We did let Lochee off a little by squandering some chances, but we kept creating more and it was pleasing to score seven.

The form of our strikers has been great, Suzanne and Kim are now beginning to develop a great understanding of one another and that was evident yesterday. Kim has been devastating this season; to score so many goals at her young age is unbelievable. Everyone is on a high at the moment but we are not getting carried away as we know we have more difficult challenges ahead, the semi-final against Newburgh will be a difficult game and we have to prepare for that. We also have some tough league games coming up. Results have gone our way over the last few weeks but there is still a long way to go and we will be ready for the games ahead.”

Richard Payne

**********************************************************************************************************************************

Lochee headed back up to Dundee pointless after a keenly contested match at Dalkeith.

Both sides had good early possession with Hibs looking the team most likely to score.

Lochee came more into the game and on 20 minutes, Lorna Young almost opened the scoring when her shot just sailed wide of the Hibs right hand post.

Lynsey McKinlay was being kept quiet in the Lochee goal as the Lochee defence kept the Hibs attackers at bay. A smart stop by McKinlay on 27 Minutes denied 16 Year Old Kim Little after a neat turn and shot inside the box.

Little only had to wait 2 more minutes before she opened the scoring. A cross in from the right saw a Lochee defender and Hibs attacker clash in the box and the referee pointed to the spot and awarded Hibs a very soft Penalty. LITTLE stepped up and placed the ball to the GK's left beyond McKinlays left arm.

The goal seemed to spark Lochee into life and after some neat work involving 4 Lochee players, the Hibs defence managed to clear before Lochee got a shot away.

Then on the stroke of half time, a mix up involving Lochee Keeper McKinlay and Kelly resulted in Suzanne GRANT running onto the ball and smashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

H/T - Hibernian 2 v 0 Lochee

Hibs started the second half brighter scored a 3rd goal. After a challenge in the box, Hibs were awarded an in-direct free kick inside the box and LITTLE grabbed her second goal of the game with a nicely placed finish from the resulting free kick.

This goal again kickstarted Lochee and only 5 minutes later they pulled a goal back. Good midfield play from Milne and Marr saw the ball played forward by Marr into Denney. Home Keeper Huthison then fumbled the ball at the feet of DENNEY who placed the ball into the open goal.

Hibs then grabbed a fourth with LITTLE grabbing her hat trick. Some good play down the Hibs Left resulted in the ball being cut back to little, who tucked the ball inside McKinlays right hand post to score.

Hibs then scored a fifth only 4 minutes later. A hopeful ball into the box by Stacey COOK flew over the head of McKinlay into the top far corner of the net to hand Hibs a lucky fifth goal.

LITTLE then grabbed the goal of the game. A long ball forwarded was chased by little, who flicked the ball over the defenders head and smashed a stunning right foot strike into the bottom right hand corner.

Lochee then put Hibs on the backfoot and after some nice play down the left wing involving Marr and Kelly, DENNEY was on hand to smash a stunning left foot volley across home keeper Hutcheson to reduce the defecit.

Hibs then scored a seventh as Lochee chased the game. Some good football resulted in McBride pulling the ball back from left and GRANT was on hand to grab her second of the game.

F/T - Hibernian 7 - 2 Lochee

Hibs Comments: Hibs boss Iain Johnston believed they should have done more. “I think we should have won by double figures and Lochee’s two goals were also down to defensive mistakes by us,” he says.
“We let them off a bit lightly.”

Lochee Comments: "Over the last 2 weeks, we have played the top 2 teams in the country and more than held our own. The scores have flattered the oppostion on both occassions and the ladies should take a lot of heart and confidence out of both Performances."

**********************************************************************************************************************************

Scotland stirker Kim Little fired in four goals as Hibs romped to a 7-2 victory over Lochee to maintain their lead. Suzanne Grant also scored twice and there was a goal from Stacey Cook - but Hibs boss Iain Johnston believed they should have done more. “I think we should have won by double figures and Lochee’s two goals were also down to defensive mistakes by us,” he says.

“We let them off a bit lightly.”