U17s Win at Falkirk Academy

Hibs Girls u17s got their league season off to a winning start with a well fought 5-1 victory over Falkirk Academy at Boness yesterday.

Despite the final score, Falkirk proved to be tough opponents and will take a number of positives from their performance. However, in the end, the girls ran out deserved winners and took home the three points in what will prove to be a difficult venue for any visiting team this season.

The girls got off to a shaky start and took time to settle but took the lead slightly against the run of play. Falkirk failed to punish the girl’s slow start and squandered a couple of good chances in the opening stages of the game. Unfortunately they did open their account at the wrong end of the field after 8 minutes. Caroline Weir found space on the left and whipped in a low and vicious cross that Gemma Craig did well to connect with and send towards the goal. However, her attempt was blocked on the line and in Falkirk’s haste to clear the ball, the attempted clearance ricochet of a defender and cruelly trundled over the line. However, not to be disheartened by their freak own goal, Falkirk deservedly drew level within 5 minutes when Shona Harris calmly finished from close range after good build up play.

The game was tight and well fought for most of the first half but Hibs took the lead again after 28 minutes. Gemma Craig was again involved and after some good build up play, Gemma’s through pass was met with a crisp left foot drive from 16 yards by Amber Hunter that gave the keeper no chance. Hibs looked to build on their lead before the end of the first half and although they didn’t add to their tally they went in to the break the stronger side.

HALF-TIME: 1-2

As the second half started, Falkirk tried to take control of the game but despite their efforts, they were increasingly pegged back in their own half. Hibs sensed they could kill the game off with a third and did so after 60 minutes through the ever impressive Rachel Walkingshaw. Rachel has a habit of scoring from long range with either foot but did so with her right from 25 yards on this occasion. The keeper Jennifer Clark did well to get a hand to it but the power of the shot carried it into the top corner.

With Falkirk still hurting after conceding the third, Hibs struck again through their captain Siobhan Hunter. After some good work down the right through Shannen Lamb and Stephanie Briggs, Hibs won and took a quick thinking short corner. The hard working Ciara Donaldson picked Siobhan out with a low cross and after turning her marker, curled a left foot strike away from the goalkeeper to chalk up Hibs’ fourth. It proved to be a disastrous 10 minute spell for Falkirk as 5 minutes later, Siobhan sealed the win with a 40 yard lob that gave the keeper little chance. It was a wonder goal that capped an impressive second half team performance.

Both teams came close to scoring again in the closing stages, most notably Falkirk with an indirect free kick attempt in the Hibs’ box.  Lucy Brown came close with an effort after a Stephanie Briggs shot rebounded off the bar and Ellen Reid was unlucky not to score after cleverly holding the ball up in the 6 yard box and trying to poke the ball under the Falkirk keeper. However, despite both teams best effort to add to their tallies, the game ended with Hibs’ picking up their first points of the season against very difficult opponents.

FULL-TIME: 1-5

Hibs Line Up: Kirsten Irons, Shannen Lamb, Gemma Bartie, Ellen Reid, Anna Green, Amber Hunter, Siobhan Hunter, Rebecca Murdoch, Rachel Walkinshaw, Caroline Weir, Ciara Donaldson, Stephanie Briggs, Lucy Brown, Gemma Craig

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