Two down in Three Days

The U17s stormed through to the semi finals of the league cup by dispatching Murieston last Thursday and chalked up 3 points away to Falkirk Ladies on Sunday.

After a dissapointing friendly result the Sunday before, the girls went into the cup tie with their confidence and egos dented.  Any questions regarding the team's frame of mind was instantly forgotten within minutes of the start as the girls recorded a devastating and memorable performance.

The Murieston artificial pitch is of an excellent standard but Murieston must have wondered at the end why they chose to play on it.  The pitch suited the girl's quick passing style and most likely contributed to Murieston's own downfall. However, to Murieston's credit, the girls' could have been playing Brazil on the worst surface possible and would still have dispatched their opponents in the same ruthless manner.    

It was Murieston who nearly scored first early in the match but the alert attacker was thwarted by the solid Sam Eyeington.  Sam has just recently returned from a serious injury but turned in a flawless performance which would leave anyone unaware of her recent circumstances surprised she was returning from a 3 month absence.  Her quick thinking and safe hands were an act the team took heart from and lifted the girls into action.

Hibs rattled in 4 quick fire first half goals to Murieston's single effort.  The pick of the first half goals included a Rachel Walkinshaw 30 yard top corner free kick and a Siobhan Hunter volley that would have left most professional players turning to her for technical advice if any had been present. Yasemin Emek and Shannen Lamb provided the other 2 goals with Lamb's solo effort another strike that could have done with tv cameras being present.

Even after a number of changes in the second half, the girl's were unrelentless in their mission and battered the Murieston rear guard with no mercy.  Hunter added another to to her tally and Caroline Weir helped herself to a couple she cleverly created.  Anna 'High Tower' Green headed in a well placed header from a Briggs corner and Gemma Craig battered in 18 yard drive to heap more misery onto a spirited Murieston side.  The game ended 9-1 with the most positive aspect being the desire and determination shown from the team.

Up next were Falkirk on Sunday with a change in the playing surface and conditions.  The girls had played their last 3 games on artificial surfaces and were now faced with a grass pitch that had a good deal of rain soaked into it just to make the day that little more tricky.  The girls were under no illusion that their passing style might have to be turned down a notch, as against a tough Falkirk side, it was going to be a day for sheer determination and guts.

If the passing style was turned down from the previous game, then it was literally just a notch as the girls flew into this match and continued in the same frame of mind as Thursday's game.  Falkirk started brightly but quickly found the going tough as the girl's harrassed and battled for every blade of grass.  When in possession, the Falkirk side struggled to deal with the girl's movement and the pace the girl's had decided to play the game at.

Like the week's previous game, Falkirk were left winded by 4 quick fire and well taken first half goals.  Hunter helped herself to a first half hat trick and Walkinshaw scored a replica of her Murieston free kick thunderbolt for those who may have missed teh first performance. When in possession,  Hibs again patiently built from the back and with defenders like Anna Green, Gemma Bartie, Shannen Lamb, Rebecca Murdoch and Ellen Reid to choose from on the day, they're were well placed to do so.

Emek and Ciara Donaldson starred in midfield with Emek again scoring with a top corner effort and Donaldson effortlessly conducting the game from her central role.  Steph Briggs again used her footwork and pace to devastating effect on the right and any idea Falkirk had of using the other flank to bypass the winger was met with the equally powerful and effective Anja McConnachie.  Both girls again put on impressive performances and fed the front players when required and even tried their own luck on occassion with some powerful drives.  Lucy Brown and Gemma Craig were both unlucky not to score and both again put in an impressive performance.  Amber Hunter and Rebecca Murdock both managed to play after returning from injury and like their goalkeeper, gave no indication they had missed games through recent injuries.  Both put in excellent shifts when called upon.

Hunter and Walkinshaw added to Emek's goal in the second half to make it 7-1 on the day.  Falkirk helped themselves to a last minute goal that was fortunate in nature but deserved for determination alone.

The team will take great heart from both these games and have set a marker for future performances this season.  Both games were a joy to watch and demonstrated the natural ability the team has an abundance of.  The girls know natural talent has to be coupled with hard work for it to count and this combination was demonstrated twice in a matter of days.

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