Killie lose out to Hibs in the Scottish Cup!

Killie welcomed Hibs at Blair Park in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup on Sunday in match that the weather had put off on previous weeks, but it was third time lucky and it was game on.

Champions Hibs have already won the first Trophy of the season in the League Cup and also have eyes on the Scottish Cup and League for a clean sweep of domestic titles.

FC Kilmarnock Ladies began with Khym Ramsay, Jill Forsyth and Laura Cooper returning to the starting line up to help Killie’s chances of securing a win. Killie started the brighter and were knocking the ball about well, with nice combinations between Quinn, Mason and L. Ferguson taking place in the midfield.

Hibs however are always dangerous and were looking to get in behind with Shelly Kerr playing long passes over the top, but thankfully in the early stages Tracy Burns and Debbie Heggarty were there to cut those balls out.

Khym Ramsay was also tested early doors, but was able to make some fine saves and get to the ball first when called upon, commanding her area.

Laura Cooper was causing problems up front, making some excellent runs onto passes from Mason and Ferguson. Killie just lacked getting the shot away after doing all the hard work to get into the positions to do so. Killie full backs Smith and Hughes done really well in containing Scotland stars Kirsty McBride and Natalie Ross, clearing their lines well and putting in great tackles, but had their hands full and knew that it was going to be a tough afternoon.

The chances that came about in the first half saw Hibs miss a couple through Kennedy and Grant late in the first half, but prior to that Killie had chances too. Laura Ferguson fired one wide from 25 yards and minutes later Laura Cooper found herself one on one with Scotland Keeper Gemma Fay, the young striker hit it low to the keepers right, but her legs kept it out. Then on the stroke of half time, Clare Docherty whipped in a corner that almost went straight in and it came back off the inside of the post.

Half Time: FC Kilmarnock Ladies 0, Hibernian Ladies 0.

Both teams started the second half pretty much the same, with no players coming on. The tempo of the match did raise and Stacey Cook was getting on the ball a lot more in midfield for Hibs. The all important first goal came, much to the Killie players dismay, when Stacey Cook burst in past the defence hit a right footed shot with the outside of her boot past a helpless Khym Ramsay into the Killie keepers net from 12 yards out.

FC Kilmarnock Ladies 0, Hibernian Ladies 1.

The second goal in the game again went to the visitors with Killie losing the ball down the right hand side, Hibs burst forward quickly through some nice sharp passes and the ball found the back of the net from 5 yards out to give the visitors a two goal cushion.

FC Kilmarnock Ladies 0, Hibernian Ladies 2.

Killie Manager Robert Connelly made some changes with Jill Forsyth coming off for Caryn Ferguson and Sharon Hughes went off injured for Claire McCombe. Hughes joining 4 other Killie players on the injury list. The pack therefore was re-shuffled, with Killie now in the tough position of trying to take the game to Hibs.

Second half Tackles saw Tracy Burns for Killie and her namesake for Hibs taking sore ones, amongst a host of other players in this highly competitive match.

Hibs then dealt Killie the killer blow, when a slip allowed Suzanne Grant in to lift the ball over the out rushing Khym Ramsay and into the net. A blow for Killies cup hopes, as well as to a defence and keeper who played well throughout this match yet had conceded 3 goals.

FC Kilmarnock Ladies 0, Hibernian Ladies 3.

Chloe Quinn was then replaced by Nicola Goudie who slotted into defence with Julie Smith taking up a more advanced role in midfield. Killie last time out at home in the league to Hibs simply put their heads down and got punished after losing goals, not any more as the girls tried their hearts out and fought on to the end with players even playing through the pain barrier to get the job done.

Killie again were unlucky in front of goal near the end, but it was too late as the damage had already been done and it was the end of their Scottish Cup hopes.

Final Score: FC Kilmarnock Ladies 0, Hibernian Ladies 3.

Killie Team: Ramsay, Heggarty, Smith, L. Ferguson, Burns, Mason, L. Cooper, Docherty, Quinn, Hughes & Forsyth.
Subs: McCombe, Goudie & C. Ferguson.

Hibs Team: Fay, Ferguson, Brown, T. Burns, Kerr, Ross, Cook, A. Burns, McBride, Kennedy & Grant.
Subs: Murray & Donnelly.

Afterwards Killie Manager Robert Connelly said “ I am totally gutted for the team today, as they gave everything they had and to get nothing for your efforts is hard. Hibs were sharper today and with 7 Scotland internationals starting this match for them we knew they would be tough. I said before this match the game would be won or lost in Midfield and it was. Laura Cooper was unlucky with her effort today and played really well and I sometimes forget she is only 17 years old, but we are a young team and are learning all the time and the free week we have coming up now allows us to get some players back to full fitness, as we lacked options for certain positions today."

"I would like to pay credit to some players who played through the pain barrier today for this club, as they were excellent and are a credit to the club that they give their all for. The players, myself and Gordon are down after this result, but come Tuesday it will be forgotten about and we will start to focus on our remaining League matches looking to pick up as many points as possible in order to finish in as high up a League position as we can”.

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Scottish Cup march continues

Hibernian Ladies moved into the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup at the weekend following victory over Kilmarnock Ladies. In the previous round Hibernian hit Aberdeen University for nineteen goals and while there was never any danger of another goals avalanche but never the less, Hibs were worthy winners.

At the beginning of this month, Hibernian Ladies lost the services of Kim Little as the youngster completed a move to English giants Arsenal Ladies. The fact that Little has moved to one of the biggest sides in European football proves just how good a player she is but the Hibernian side is full of excellent players and they provide the backbone of the national team. Hibs welcomed back Mandy Burns from a three game suspension with Joelle Murray dropping out to make way for her.

Hibernian started the game well and created chances through Suzanne Grant, Laura Kennedy and Stacey Cook but they could not find the killer touch in front of goal. The poor under foot conditions meant the game developed into a battle and with many misplaced passes it was a scrappy affair. The Edinburgh side went close to opening the scoring when Natalie Ross found herself in behind the Killie defence after a fine pass from Frankie Brown but the youngster fired narrowly wide.

Hibs continued to push forward and veteran defender Shelley Kerr went close but was foiled by an outstanding save from the Kilmarnock goalkeeper. It was far from all one way and Killie always carried a threat on the counter attack. Mid-way through the half the Ayrshire side burst through the Hibs defensive line but their young forward could only look on frustrated after a stunning save from a one-on-one situation.

 As the game approached half time it was evenly balanced and both sides had chances to steal the lead before the break. Firstly a Kilmarnock corner kick crashed back off the post with Gemma Faye beaten all ends up before Suzanne Grant was denied by the Killie goalkeeper. The first half ended level but the conditions were deteriorating and the second half would make for some interesting viewing.

Half Time: Kilmarnock Ladies 0 Hibernian Ladies 0

The home side looked to force an opening goal as the second half got underway and only the instinctive reflexes of Gemma Faye kept them at bay, the Hibernian goalkeeper once again coming to the rescue of her team mates. Hibs eventually settled and began to take hold of the match and in 55 minutes they opened the scoring as Suzanne Grant laid the ball perfectly into the path of Stacey Cook, the defender smashing an unstoppable shot beyond the goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area.

Hibs went from strength to strength and grabbed their second goal shortly after as Frankie Brown played in Kirsty McBride who fired a first time ball across the box, finding the run of Suzanne Grant who smashed the ball into the net. The prolific striker is a clinical finisher and she sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to claim her side’s second goal of the afternoon.

The game was beyond Kilmarnock and Hibernian were in complete control. The Hibees could have extended their lead with Suzanne Grant, Laura Kennedy and Kirsty McBride all creating good chances. Eventually Hibs did grab their third goal 15 minutes from time; and again it was Suzanne Grant who was on hand to score following some good work from Kirsty McBride. Kilmarnock did try to get themselves back into the game, but with the Hibernian back-line looking strong they failed to create any real clear cut chances.

The match itself finished 3-0 to the Hibees. After a scrappy first half, the Edinburgh side ensured there was only going to be one winner; Hibernian’s desire to get forward and take control of the game took its toll on the young Kilmarnock team. In the end it was a solid performance from the current Scottish Cup holders and they now meet Hutchison Vale in the quarter final next Sunday.

Full Time: Kilmarnock Ladies 0 Hibernian Ladies 3

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

After the game defender Julie Ferguson commented: “We were delighted with the result, playing against Kilmarnock is always difficult, they never give you a chance to play football because they press the ball. The conditions were not great but I think at times we showed what a good footballing team we are, some of our build up play was excellent and we are so happy that we have reached the quarter final of the Scottish Cup.

“We’ve had a few people missing in recent weeks due to injury and suspension but to have everyone back for this game was great – we have been working really hard on the training ground and we hope we can take that hard work into the difficult games we having coming our way”