Ladies held by Spartans

Hibernian Ladies and Spartans fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw on Wednesday evening, but it was an opportunity missed for Jimmy Burns' side to consolidate their position at the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League.

The Easter Road side held the upper hand during the first half and they were rewarded with the opening goal of the game from the penalty spot just moments before half time. Kirsty McBride was upended inside the penalty area and Stacey Cook stepped forward to fire her side in front.

Hibernian had a great opportunity to increase their lead before the interval when Alana Marshall headed over following an excellent cross from the right by Joelle Murray. The visitors continued to be the better side after the break and they should have increased their lead shortly after the restart when Laura Kennedy passed up a glorious opportunity.

With the quality of player that Spartans posses they were always a threat on the counter attack and so it proved when they levelled after Diana Barry pounced on a poor defensive header. Against the run of play Spartans then went in front not long after when the unfortunate Kirsty McBride headed into her own net from a corner kick.

With Spartans now in the ascendancy Hibernian had goalkeeper Shannon Lynne to thank for keeping them in the game as she pulled off a series of excellent saves. Hibernian received a fortuitous break when what appeared a stonewall penalty kick decision went in their favour and against Spartans – which left the home side irate.

In the closing period of the match Hibernian pushed hard for an equaliser and they got their reward when Alana Marshall atoned for her first half miss by drilling the ball into the net with only five minutes remaining. Hibernian continued to push hard for a winning goal in the final moments, but had to settle for a share of the spoils.

After the game coach Jimmy Burns spoke to Hibernian TV: "Overall I thought the draw was a fair result in the end. We just did not really get going in the first half, yet despite this, we had most of the play but our passing was very poor at times as we struggled to retain possession. We anticipated Spartans tactics and dealt with the long ball really well.

"Our play was a bit disjointed and I think both teams struggled to find any rhythm or pattern of play - my players just needed to take a bit more care when in possession. At half time we emphasised to the players our desired team shape and pattern of play and they responded superbly, taking the game to Spartans and totally dominating for the next 25 minutes.

"Spartans were always dangerous on the break and a poor defensive header allowed their quick forwards to exploit space and score to level the game, with their first attack of the second half. Spartans had the ascendancy and went in front with an unfortunate OG from Kirsty and we had a lucky break when the referee turned away their penalty claims to keep us in the game.

"However the girls really dug deep and fought for the equaliser which we eventually got and with a little more luck we could have snatched a winner at the death. The players showed real character in coming back from 2-1 down, when previously they might have capitulated, but this team want to win and win playing football - although we never quite reached the heights of previous games."

Jimmy was quick to praise the performances of two of his younger players and he is looking forward to others following in their footsteps as the season progresses. Burns said: "It was also good to see young Siobhan Hunter and Clare Emslie take the field at this level, these and other young players are desperate to improve and compete for a place within our 'A' squad. There are a number of excellent prospects within our U17 squad and it is up to them to show the desire and commitment to push for a regular place in the 'A' squad."

Hibernian Ladies are currently level on points with leaders Celtic after three games of this shortened league campaign as they continue their quest to being silverware back to the club this term. Next up for the Edinburgh girls is another tough fixture, but also one that Jimmy and his side are looking forward to.

He commented: "This remains a very competitive mini league and Hibernian Ladies are still right in the mix. I am looking forward to another tough game this Sunday at the Hibernian Training Centre, when we play Boroughmuir, as we seek to maintain our momentum and get back to winning ways."

Pics: Tim Gray

MATCH REPORT BY IAN MACKAY

Spartans 2, Hibernian 2:

Wednesday, August 26:

THE very first women’s fixture to be played on the magnificent stadium pitch at Spartans Community Football Academy in Ainslie Park was the type of game that gave everyone privileged to watch it taking place the feeling they had been present at a brilliant football match. There is no description other than that to describe this game, played under the superb floodlights at this totally new, civilised football facility in the Capital of Scotland.

Hibernian are impressively coached by Jimmy Burns and they came in to this game unbeaten so far this season. This multi-talented squad of players kicked off as if they were going to play Spartans off the park, using the full width of the pitch to attack the home goal in a tremendous opening burst. The football was absolutely brilliant to watch and the influence of their terrific coach was obvious from the opening whistle from match referee Mathilde Pearce, who was another of the star performers in this game and she, too, contributed to this magnificent spectacle with her superb control, decisions and fitness.

The play following the kick-off was mostly in the home goalmouth and Claire Crosbie, standing in for Spartans injured goalie, Jo Hutcheson, was outstanding in saving shots, blocking other net-bound efforts and punching the ball away when crosses came over in to the home goalmouth. Hibernian swarmed all over the pitch, switching the ball from wing to wing and the standard of football from this women’s side was breathtaking. Spartans have made an uncertain start to the season but this was the game they needed to find their true form. And as the first half progressed, the incredible Debbie McWhinnie and her fellow attacker, Diana Barry, started to cause problems for the Hibernian defence.

The visiting side had a wonderful central defender in Holly Thomson, but all the players in the green and white jerseys looked to be a real class act. The moves kept on coming in this game with Spartans contributing more and more, taking the game to the visiting end and the goalmouth action was simply marvelous to watch. Possibly, not for the respective coaches, however! It was real nail-biting stuff but Hibernian went on to make the breakthrough when the industrious Kirsty McBride - another smashing footballer - was sent tumbling in the box as she homed in on the left-side of the Spartans goal. The referee was right up with play and she pointed immediately to the spot. Stacey Cook it was who stuck the ball in the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 43^rd minute to give Hibernian a 1-0 lead at the break. Depending on what side the fans supported, it was a deserved/not deserved lead. It was that close. The game needed a goal and the penalty conversion made the second half in to a tremendous contest. Diana Barry equalised when a wonderful free-kick from away out on to left was palmed backwards by the Hibernian keeper towards the back post. In the ensuing goalmouth scramble the ball landed back across goal and the Spartans international striker put it in the net at the left-hand post to make it 1-1. That was in the 77^th minute of this classic game of women’s football.

The magnificent Spartans No 5, Shelley Kerr, then set up a move up the left and the ball was played through to Louise Young - yet another star - but her well-hit shot went wide of the goal. Then Debbie McWhinnie was sent crashing in a run in to the Hibernian box but the referee was right up with play and she waved play on to the accompaniment of howls of protest from the Spartans fans in the lovely stand at this venue. It looked to be a stonewaller of a penalty, but the referee was perfectly placed to judge. The pulsating action continued and all hell broke loose when Spartans were rewarded for their stunning efforts when a cross ball from the left was headed up in the air from the pack of players in front of the Hibernian goal and it somehow landed in the back of the net at the right-hand post. It was given as an OG but they all count and that put Spartans 2-1 in front with seven minutes left to play. Two minutes later, it was 2-2 and what a goal it was from Alana Marshall who cut in from the left to create space for herself in the 18yd box and she unleashed a screamer of a shot in to the Spartans net, which gave Claire Crosbie no chance of saving. The remaining minutes of this game were played at frantic pace but the final whistle went with the scoreline still at 2-2. Last season,

While the visitors played quick, accurate passing and used the big pitch to full advantage, Spartans tactics were to get the ball up to McWhinnie and Barry for them to use their pace to attack the Hibernian rearguard. It was a fantastic game to watch and all the praise should go to the respective coaches, players and match officials. There were great individual performances on both sides on another great night for football at Ainslie Park.

Carson Ralton, said: It was a great game and I am delighted for our side. We have had a bad run of injuries to contend with, but we played very well against a very good Hibernian side.”

Spartans - Claire Crosbie, Siobhan Rooney, Shelley Kerr, Danni Pagliarulo, Hayley Lauder, Diana Barry, Molly McKean, Louise Young, Louise Moultray, Julie Smith, Dani Stewart, Debbie McWhinnie, Michelle Faughnan.

Hibernian - Lucy Cook, Ashley Watson, Rhonda Jones, Stacey Cook, Frankie Brown, Suzanne Robertson, Holly Thomson, Kirsty McBride, Alana Marshall, Laura Kennedy, Lisa Robertson, Viki Whitelaw, Hayley Cunningham, Joelle Murray.

Referee - Mathilde Pearce.