Hibs - Dunfermline
Match Report - 30 Sept 2006

Another warm sunny day for the top of the table clash between Hibs Girls and Dunfermline: this was perfect weather for spectators to enjoy a hard fought match. In the close season Dunfermline beat Hibs and the pars were favourites to win this game. Both teams were well fired and this game was a cracker.

 

Hibs started strongly with the first goal came from top scorer Ellen Pia after a lovely one-two with Anja and Bryony: Anja passed the ball to Bryony who cleverly beat one Dunfermline defender passed it back to Anja who fired a in a great cross to Ellen who volleyed the ball at close range. Bryony was excellent in the first half as her running and passing caused the Dunfermline defence all sorts of problems. Her work rate was phenomenal. The second goal also came from a cross from Anja. Anja aimed a pin point corner which was met from Gemma Robb who put ball in the net.

 

Dunfermline's first half goal came from a penalty kick. The penalty was caused when Fern Quin stopped a powerful shot when she was standing on the goal line with her hand. One Dunfermline fan was roaring for Fern to be sent off. This would have been harsh if the ball was going to hit Ferns face and she instinctively put her hands in a cross motion. If she did not protect herself the ball would have hit her face. Dunfermline deserved a penalty but to send Fern off would have been very harsh as she did not deliberately try and save the ball and it would not have gone in if she did not put her hands up. The game finished 2.1 at half time.

 

Dunfermlines best spell was the start of the second half where the Hibs defence had to work hard to maintain there lead. Some strong passing and running by Dunfermline forwards, left a one to one situation with the Dunfermline striker and Hibs goalie Nicky Boyle. Nicky did well to break down the angle and stop a good Dunfermline chance. Nicky was solid in goal having an impressive game. Eventually a great passing move by Dunfermline managed to split the Hibs defence to bring the game level.

 

Hibs replied with Ellen and Gemma adding to their first half tally's. The forth goal from Ellen was controversial as she appeared to be miles offside. She couldn't believe her luck as she only had the goalie to beat with no defenders close, but sadly for Dunfermline they had a defender on their left wing who kept Ellen on side.

 

The four Hibs defenders Ciara Donaldson, Fern Quinn, Kirsten Weir and Suzanne Torrance worked well together and stuck solidly to the game plan laid down by Hibs coach Gary Lovell. Suzanne Torrance had a flawless match and read the game really well, her passing was excellent as was her speedy interventions to break down many attacks down Dunfermline's left flank. Kirsten put in some great tackles and looks like she is getting back to full fitness. Claire McEwan came on late in the first half, for Ciara and fitted into the defence well with some accurate passing.

 

Chloe Jamieson played her first full game after coming back from illness. Chloe played behind the midfield and was instrumental: in starting of many exciting Hibs attacking moves; stifling many Dunfermline attacks at source; and also having a few long distant shots at goal which came close.

 

Moriah came on midway through the second half and made an immediate impression. A neat pass was laid on by Anja and Moriah sprinted 20 yards to loop the ball inches over the bar from distance. Later a great passing move between Moriah and Ellen lead to Ellen having a shot which ricocheted off post, onto keeper and then back onto the post which Dunfermline then cleared.

 

This was a great team performance by Hibs Girls and it would be unfair to single out any player. The defence were solid, the midfield worked hard to maintain control of the game and Ellen, the lone striker, maintained her great scoring record.

 

In summary Hibs had more shots on target and more than half the possession. They were marginally the best side in the first half and finished the game stronger, so in balance it was a fair result. However, Dunfermline are a great side and will be one of the main contenders for the league. They are a strong physical side but they also play the game fair. Yesterday's game was played at a frantic pace, both teams went in hard but there was no malice on the pitch