Celtic Tayside v Hibs Girls U17s

League Match: Lochee Park, Dundee 16/09/2007

Score: 1 - 6

Hibs overpowered a physical Celtic Tayside team in a one-sided encounter at Lochee Park, Dundee.

 

Hibs took the game to the opposition from the start and gained a series of corner kicks, the third of which was nodded in by Kirsten Weir. Despite having the lions share of possession Hibs failed to press home their advantage and Celtic equalised via an own goal after 15 minutes when a cross from the byeline bounced awkwardly off the extremely wet and greasy surface and then off the knee of Kirsten Weir into the top corner of the Hibs net – 1-1.

 

Despite a number of corner kicks, free kicks and throw-ins in and around the Celtic box Hibs failed to convert until the 30th minute when Lisa Robertson cut in from the touchline past two defenders to slam a low shot into the far corner – 1-2 at half time.

 

Following a stern talking to at half- time Hibs stepped up a gear and quickly put the game beyond Celtic. Gemma Robb scored the third, gliding past a couple of defenders and tucking it past the keeper. Jinky scored the fourth, flicking home acrobatically following a neat run and cut back from the bye-line by Lisa Robertson. Jinky also scored the fifth, running onto a fine through ball by Gemma Robb and slotting high past the keeper for a fine 2nd goal for herself and a fifth for her team. Lisa Robertson scored the sixth goal, winning the ball in midfield with her back to goal, turning in between two Celtic midfielders before setting off on a strong run towards the Celtic goal and past a further 3 defenders before finding the top corner from 18 yards.

Hibs Colts u15s v Hibs Girls u15s     

League Match: St Augustines 25/08/2007

Score: 2 - 7

To accomodate the growing number of players at u15 level at Hibs, two teams were created to give all involved a chance to show their talents on a weekly basis. In the first league game of the new season, the newly created teams met head to head at St Augustines.

Despite the players playing against friends and former team mates, all sense of sentiment was pushed to one side as both teams served up a pulsating match. Although the scoreline suggests a one sided affair, the match was far from an easy win for the Hibs Girls.

Rebecca MacPherson opened the scoring with a well placed shot from 20 yards after 10 minutes that sailed into the top corner. Five minutes later, a brilliant strike from the ever impressive Ellen Reid nestled in the top corner. Instead of knocking the wind out of the Colts, they galvanised and set about getting themselves into the game. Ciara Donaldson bossed the middle of the park in the first half and capped off a brilliant performance with a thunderous drive after pouncing on a defensive mistake.

The Colts grew in confidence after pulling one back but were again pegged back when Ellen played a delightful defence splitting pass through to Siobhan Hunter. The lethal striker made no mistake smashing in her team's third goal in off the crossbar.

 

Into the second half, the Colts grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with Moriah Jackson scoring from a tight angle after skipping past her marker and drilling the ball low into the far corner. It was an impressive start to the second half with the Hibs Girls under constant pressure for the first 10 minutes of the half until Moriah's goal.

 

Hibs Girls then made a couple of tactical changes which instantly brought dividends. Anja McConnachie swapped with Siobhan Hunter from midlfield to attack and scored minutes after the Colts moved within one goal of their rivals. It was a deadly blow to the Colts who never really recovered after the fourth goal. Anja went on to score a hattrick in the game with Rebecaa Macpheson adding another goal to make it seven for the day.

 

Given that this was the Colts first competitive league game, they were a credit to themselves and their coaches. They will be a match for whoever they meet this season and will upset a few teams given their talent and determination. the Hibs Girls will also be a formidable force and will only get better as the season progresses.

Hibs Girls u17s v Falkirk u17s     

League Match: Meggetland 26/08/2007

Score: 5 - 0

Hibs comprehensively beat Falkirk for the first time at this age group in about 2 years on the first ever SWF League Match to be played at the magnificent new Meggetland Enclosed Prestige Pitch in Edinburgh.

 

The opening 15 minutes were very scrappy with a succession of long balls and tough tackling from both in evidence. However, Hibs gradually began to take a stranglehold in the midfield and created a number of chances from open play and from set pieces which should have led to the opening goal.

 

Falkirk struggled to get any real momentum and the Hibs defence coped easily with anything they had to offer.  Laura Connolly in the Hibs goal was handicapped by a swollen ankle but was hardly called into action in the first half.

 

Hibs took a deserved lead towards the end of the half following a sweeping move down the right involving Bryony and Jinky who crossed to the back post for Lisa Robertson to slam a left footer into the corner from 10 yards.

 

The second half started in a similar vein with Hibs making all of the chances with virtually every member of the midfield and attack having a pop at goal at some point in the half.

 

Falkirk came more into the game after about 55 minutes and enjoyed more possession  with Hibs now going through a bit of a lull. Laura Connolly however was able to handle anything that Falkirk threw at her with their best effort being a strong drive from about 25 yards which Laura held strongly  into her body.

 

With about 15 minutes gone in the second half, after a number of opportunities not finished off, Lisa Yarwood struck a thunderous 20 yarder into the top corner. She created space for herself with some excellent close control and strength shrugging off the Falkirk challenges. This goal settled Hibs.

 

Shortly after, Lisa Robertson sealed the points for Hibs Girls as she  fired home her second following another sweeping move down the right hand side involving Bryony Ross and Jinky.  Gemma Robb rounded off an excellent performance to make it four following a mazy run down the left before cutting inside to hit a really strong drive into the corner of the net. Substitute Emma Gray scored the fifth, coolly slotting past the keeper having been put through by a slide rule pass from Lisa Yarwood.

 

The defence restricted Falkirk to 3 efforts on target in the whole game which were all dealt with ably by Laura Connolly – well done to Mariel, Coral, Danni, Natalie and Katie who was making her debut. Every last one of them created the spring board for their team mates to go forward and create knowing that they would be able to handle any break away should they loose possession going forward. 

 

The midfield ran the show with Lisa Yarwood and Jinky combining well in the middle, Gemma Robb looking very dangerous throughout the match on the left and Bryony covering a lot of ground up and down the right wing, making some telling passes, linking defence to midfield and attack and taking some excellent throw ins which helped keep the team moving forward.

 

The movement of Lisa Robertson, Laura Smith and Emma Gray caused the Falkirk defence no end of bother and although the forwards took some hefty knocks, it was the big Falkirk centre half who had to go off before the end of the first half. 

 

It's an excellent start to the season for Hibs U17 Girls, comprehensively beating one of last season’s top teams.  5 goals scored, another barrow load of chances created, every player looking comfortable on the ball, very solid in defence and the whole team still pushing forward, fit and hungry in the latter stages of the game. This hopefully shows the girls that all of their hard work in training is starting to pay dividends for them.

 

Mention must also be made of the large and vocal Hibs support who cheered on the girls from first to last, treating them to a chorus of ‘ole ole’ following a sweeping move towards the end of the game.

 

New Sponsorship Deals

Hibs girls are delighted to announce four major sponsors for next season:

 

 

ASA International Recruitment Consultants

asa International is Scotland's largest independent recruitment organisation and a leading provider of quality people with strength and breadth across the sector in the UK and Worldwide. They have the knowledge to advance your career futher.

 

 

 

Frankie and Benny's

The Frankie & Benny's experience explodes into life as soon as you enter the restaurant area.

 

 

 

First Coast Restaurant

First Coast is a quality neighbourhood bistro for the West of Edinburgh. Read their Scotland on Sunday's review.

 

 

 

Charlie Irons Coaches

Charlie Irons Coaches is a family run coach hire company based in Edinburgh, covering the whole of Great Britain. All the drivers are trained to be courteous at
all times and have a brilliant knowledge of Scotland.

 

 

 

Commenting on the sponsorship Lindsay Weir, Chairperson of Hibs Girls said "We are very pleased to have 4 companies backing us this season. Hibs girls is a community based club and these companies are committed to supporting local sports clubs and recognise the phenomenal growth in girl's football".

 

The companies were all pleased that Hibs Girls FC not only promote football but also advise the girl's on fitness, nutritional information and welfare so that are well placed to achieve their goals in life.