With the race for the Scottish Women's Premier League title now beginning to heat up as it nears a conclusion, Hibernian Ladies faced Kilmarnock Ladies on Sunday and whilst the Hibees would emerge with full points to maintain their 100% record, it would still prove a costly day for the Edinburgh side.

In the build up to the game Hibernian were hit with the devastating news that influential defender Stacey Cook would miss the rest of the season due to a reoccurring knee injury. A bitter blow for Cook given she had not long returned to playing after a serious injury had curtailed last season. Frankie Brown was the other change to the side that defeated Aberdeen last week; their replacements were Kirsty McBride and Louise Young.

Hibernian lined up in a 3-5-2 system determined to take the game to their opponents. The early stages were closely fought in a midfield battle, with Kilmarnock making the early running, in particular the pace of the right midfielder was causing Hibs problems and within ten minutes the midfielder out ran her marker and with Joanne Hutcheson coming out to close the angle, the midfielder chipped the ball into the net giving Kilmarnock the lead, It could have got worse for Hibernian as Kilmarnock had the ball in the net again five minutes later but this time the forward was adjudged to have been offside, a real let off for the Hibees.

In truth it was a poor performance from Hibernian in a first half to forget for the ladies and the normally lethal strike force of Suzanne Grant and Kim Little both missed glorious chances to get their team back into the game. Midway through the first half a scramble in the box saw Julie Ferguson yellow carded as she attempted to latch onto a loose ball, a harsh booking from referee Greg Aitken and it would prove costly later on. Hibs began to string some passes together and were looking to get the momentum going as the half winded down. The half ended with Hibs trailing a hard working Kilmarnock side.

Half Time: Kilmarnock Ladies 1 Hibernian Ladies 0

Hibernian started the second half on fire and with the strong words of Coach Paul Johnston still ringing in their ears, they fought back to grab an early equaliser. Joelle Murray, wide on the right played the ball to Kim Little and she burst into the penalty area before drilling the ball to the back post where it was turned in by Suzanne Grant. Just five minutes later they went into the lead when Kim Little raced through the heart of the Killie defence and fired past the despairing goalkeeper.

Hibs were in control and they looked to extend their lead before Laura Kennedy was brought onto replace Natalie Ross. Just as things appeared to be going well for the Edinburgh side they were reduced to ten players after Julie Ferguson was adjudged to have made a late tackle and received her second caution of the game, and sent packing to the dressing room. Despite being a player short, Hibs rallied and were still the better of the two sides and creating all the chances.

Suzanne Grant saw a shot from distance saved by the Kilmarnock goalkeeper at the expense of a corner kick and it was from this Hibernian scored a third goal. Kirsty McBride floating in a cross that was to evade everyone and end up in the back of the net. With the game looking over, disaster struck for Hibs when midfielder McBride was running backwards and seemingly went over on her ankle – as she writhed in agony it was clear her afternoon was over, and shortly after was rushed to hospital with suspected broken ankle. This incident marred the game and a good performance in the second half for Hibernian.

Full Time: Kilmarnock Ladies 1 Hibernian Ladies 3

After the game midfielder Julie Ferguson was of mixed emotions, commenting: "Our first half display was simply not good enough and a few strong words from our coach Paul Johnson and the experienced Shelley Kerr, jolted us back into life. We started the second half so well and scored two goals in five minutes. I was obviously disappointed to have been sent off for two very soft challenges and I felt like I had let my team-mates down, however they did a tremendous job with ten players.

The injury to Kirsty was a blow for the team; we have since heard that she is looking at a lengthy lay-off after tearing three main ligaments in her ankle. The next few weeks will be vital in the destination of the league, but even with players missing we still have a strong enough squad to get results. With the likes of Little, Grant and Burns in the team we can win the games we need to bring the league title back to Edinburgh."

Hibernian Ladies: Joanne Hutcheson, Louise Young, Shelley Kerr, Suzy Robertson, Kirsty McBride, Joelle Murray, Mandy Burns, Kim Little, Suzanne Grant, Natalie Ross, Julie Ferguson Subs: Frankie Brown, Shelley Grant, Laura Kennedy, Alison Donnelly.

Referee: Greg Aitken
 

Richard Payne

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Hibs beat Kilmarnock 3-1 as Suzanne Grant, Kim Little and Kirsty McBride were all on target for
the league leaders - but it was a victory at some cost. Julie Ferguson was sent off and McBride had to be stretchered off towards the end with a suspected broken ankle.

“I wasn’t happy with the first-half,” says Hibs coach Paul Johnston. “But the girls were a real credit to themselves and came back in the second-half to produce an excellent performance.”