Spartans v Hibs 15s - Match Report

Anna has a quiet day at the office as the Hibs goalie is tested more in the warm up than the match.

In the baking heat of the early summer sunshine it was never going to be easy to play any sport never mind a football match. With pitch side temperatures already soaring at the 10:30 kick off time, it was going to take a huge effort from players on both sides. Unfortunately for Spartans they had the added misfortune of only having 10 players, this made Hibs appear positively well off despite only having 12 players to call on. Back safely from her school trip Robyn returned to duty however Bianca was unavailable and Tasha was still recovering from her injury.

The Hibs starting line up had Anna in goal, back four of Lara, Robyn, Eve and Lyndsey at right back. In midfield Ash, Simone Caitlin with Shannon once again pushed forward on the right, in attack Toni and Crunchie led the line.

Hibs took control of the match from the kick off and quickly put Spartans under pressure. After 3 mins Toni bagged her first goal of the match when from out on the left she slotted her shot past the keeper into the far side of the goal. Crunchie was next to score with a super strike from 18 yards out, followed by Ash with a demonstration of control and trickery she weaved her way past 3 defenders before placing the ball past the keeper. With barely 5 minutes played Hibs were 3 up.

Crunchie had another strike on target, which the goalie blocked, but she was first to react and slammed home her second attempt. Crunchie then turned provider as she laid the ball off to Shannon who was breaking down the right wing, she continued her run almost to the bye line then slotted the ball into the net. Next it was Shannon obliging with an assist, after receiving a pass from Caitlin she again reached the bye line before playing a perfect cut back for the on rushing Ash to reach first and poke the ball over the line. Unfortunately this was practically Ash’s last involvement in the match as shortly afterwards she went over on her ankle when making a challenge to block a clearance. Chloe came on and joined the attack.

Half Time – Spartans 0 – 6 Hibs

In a repeat of the first half script Toni scored the first of Hibs goals in the second period, her driving shot from close range gave the goalie no chance. Chloe wasted no time to add her name to the score sheet, she received a pass from Toni then steered her side foot shot into the net. Caitlin had to leave the field after suffering what appeared to be recurring cramp, this evened up the numbers but not the balance of play.

Crunchie again showed she had her shooting boots on when she let fly a 25 yard drive which flew just inside the keepers left hand post. Eve was next to score, her shot from 20 yards out appeared to be covered but the goalie just couldn’t reach it as it crept in at the left hand post. Lyndsey appeared to be immune from the strength sapping heat and topped off another industrious performance when she went on a lung bursting run down the right wing, evading challenges on the way she made her way along the bye line before slipping the ball past the goalie at the near post, scoring her first goal for Hibs.

Simone was the last to add her name to the list of Hibs scorers when she struck the ball home beating the goalie at her near post. Despite going down to 9 players after Lara had to go off there were further goals for Hibs. Crunchie pounced again this time after beating the goalie to a loose ball. After another shot from Crunchie which was saved Eve latched onto the rebound and smashed the ball into the far side of the goal.

Crunchie completed her fantastic haul of 5 goals and Hibs last goal of the game in the dying minutes, shortly before the ref blew the whistle to end the game.

Full Time – Spartans 0 – 15 Hibs

All credit to Spartans who fulfilled their obligations in playing the game despite being unable to field a full team, and for keeping going to the final whistle. Mention should also go to the Spartans goalie who pulled off a number of excellent saves and who undoubtedly would have faired much better had she been given a bit more protection.

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