Hutchison Vale Ladies v Hibernian Ladies 2000

 

SWFL League Cup 2^nd Round

 

Venue: Saughton Enclosure, Edinburgh

 

Kick Off at 2pm

 

This match was eagerly awaited by the very young Hibernian Ladies team who were determined to show everyone, not least themselves that they were a match for a very strong and experienced Hutchie Vale Ladies team who have some outstanding players in their team. Although the recent friendly between these two teams resulted in a 2-1 win for Hibernian Ladies, the youngsters knew that this would be a totally different game. The underfoot conditions were bumpy and it was clear from the start that both the fiery, bumpy pitch and the strong wind were going to play a significant part in this game.

 

The early exchanges between the teams were tense and it was difficult for both teams to pass the ball effectively. However, it was Hutchie Vale who scored the first goal and after only 4 minutes when a break down the right saw their wide right midfielder, Laura Gavin deliver a cross into the box which ended up in the back of the net after the wind helped the ball clear of the significant reach of Hannah Reid in the Hibernian goal and end up hitting the opposite side netting after it crossed the line. Although a bit stunned by this Hibernian Ladies maintained their composure and started to pass the ball around with Mariel Kaney, Gemma Robb and Sarah Robertson starting to provide good possession to Julie Paton wide right, Kirsty Smith wide left and Laura Smith up front. It wasn’t long before Laura Smith almost made her mark when she was slipped through behind the Hutchie Vale defence but she leaned back and hit a powerful shot over the bar from 12 yards. Julie Paton was next to stake her claim for a goal and after some good work between Sarah Robertson and Mariel Kaney, Julie got in behind the defence in almost the same position and instead of cutting inside the fullback which would have opened up the goal for her and wrong footed the defender, she decided to strike at the angle and unfortunately missed the target. Kirsty Smith was starting to make her presence felt down the left and on more than one occasion raced clear from good passes from Danielle Diey to deliver outstanding crosses into the box but the Hutchie defence stood strong and were able to clear the danger. Due to the conditions it was difficult to maintain pressure and a lot of the play was in midfield with the ball in the air and the only possibility of getting a head flick on to a team mate to allow them to put pressure on the respective defences. It was Hibernian Ladies however who worked really hard to win possession and who managed to force a couple of corners on the left. Kirsty Smith delivered well but the strong Hutchie Vale defence was able to clear the danger.

 

Half Time: Hutchie Vale Ladies 1 v 0 Hibernian Ladies 2000

 

Hibernian Ladies knew they had it in them to win this game and were determined to continue to work hard to create opportunities for each other. Playing into a significant wind they knew that it would be easier this half to control their forward passes. They knew that if they made the ball do the work, kept their shape and supported the player in possession they would get their opportunities to equalise. Hutchie Vale are an extremely capable side and were always dangerous. From an attack early in the second half, they created a clear goal scoring opportunity but Hannah Reid’s quick reactions and hands stopped a shot which was net bound from 6 yards at a significant time in the match. On 48 minutes however, Hibernian Ladies drew level when an outstanding pass over the top of the Hutchie Vale defence from Danielle Diey was picked up by the free scoring LAURA SMITH who ran onto what was a difficult bouncing ball to beat the Hutchie keeper and get the ball up and over her head and dip under the bar all within a short distance; another outstanding strike from Hibernian’s top scorer at a very important time in the match. For the next 10 minutes both teams tried to create chances but most of the play was centred in midfield and in an attempt to win the game, Hibernian Ladies decided to make changes with Gillian Perry being introduced wide right to accommodate Julie Paton central to try to get in behind the Hutchie Vale defence. Gemma Robb, after working extremely hard in the game found the hard surface and the strong tacking difficult as she continues to make her way back to full fitness and had to be withdrawn after 60 minutes with Rachel Osborne replacing Gemma in central midfield. However, within 5 minutes of going on Gillian Perry went over on her ankle after a heavy challenge and had to be carried off which was a devastating blow for Gillian and the team. Kirsten Weir went on and into a holding midfield role and Rachel went to wide right. On 68 minutes another outstanding pass from deep found Julie Paton in the clear and with only the keeper to beat but instead of taking the ball round her, Julie decided to strike and the keeper made a good save. Hibernian Ladies were making good use of the ball now and Danielle Diey sent Kirsty Smith clear of the Hutchie Vale defence on the left and with the defenders trailing Kirsty hit a ferocious shot with her left foot but it was narrowly wide and hit the side netting. Both teams were working really hard and as the game went on it but the game ended with no further score and therefore went to extra time.

 

Full Time: Hutchison Vale Ladies 1 v 1 Hibernian Ladies 2000

 

The first half of extra time started with Hutchie Vale Ladies on the attack. From their first corner they delivered an outstanding cross into the box and Laura Gavin despatched a powerful header into the roof of the net. As at the start of the game, Hibernian Ladies found themselves having to get themselves back into the game to stay in the competition but this time they had to dig much deeper into their fitness reserves to do so. To their eternal credit they just refused to give up and throughout the first half of extra time and into the second half, they rolled their sleeves up and battled for every ball all over the pitch, trying to put pressure on the Hutchie Vale goal. However, Hutchie Vale Ladies were equally determined to keep their lead and see the game out at 2-1. Hibernian Ladies were finding it difficult to create good goal scoring opportunities but again from a ball over the top Julie Paton found herself in space but again didn’t manage to finish despite doing really well to find the space and stay onside. With less than 2 minutes remaining, Sarah Robertson was pushed into attack as we went to 3-5-2 with Stacey Hutchison pushing into midfield to try to get the equaliser and almost immediately we got the goal we so richly deserved. The ball was played into the Hutchie Vale box and a strike on goal was deflected off SARAH ROBERTSON and into the net. Not a pretty goal but they all count and this one was to prove very significant indeed!

 

Extra Time: Hutchison Vale Ladies 2 v 2 Hibernian Ladies 2000

 

The game then went to penalties and from the resultant penalty shoot out Hannah Reid saved two of the Hutchie Vale penalties and got a hand to a third even although it was brilliantly placed into the top left corner of Hannah’s goal! The fourth penalty missed the target.

No need for the fifth Hutchie Vale player to take their penalty.

An absolutely outstanding effort from the outstanding young Hibernian Ladies keeper!

 

Meanwhile, Mariel Kaney, Bryony Ross, Coral Cassidy and Stacey Hutchison all despatched their penalties into the Hutcie Vale net with Kirsten Weir narrowly missing.

 

Result: Hutchison Vale Ladies 4 v 6 Hibernian Ladies 2000