10 February 2007 Kilmarnock v Hibs Girls - Scottish Cup Match Report

This time last year Hibs u13 Girls travelled to Kilmarnock and won the first game of their successful Scottish Cup winning campaign. Brilliant performances from Chloe Jamieson, Rebecca Zoltie and of course Gemma Robb helped to repeat Hibs success.

Hibs Girls travelled to Kilmarnock without their first choice goalie and with three of their four regular defenders unavailable. Therefore coach Gary Lovell decided that the best form of defence was to attack. His tactic was made easier by the fact that Hibs Girls won the toss and elected to play the first half with the wind on their back and a great first half hat-trick by Gemma Robb appeared to make the tie out of Kilmarnock’s reach.

Gemmas first goal came from a cool pass from Zoltie which reached Anja McConnachie flying down the wing and an inch perfect cross from which Gemma volleyed into the net. Gemmas third goal was a fantastic free kick which was lobbed over the keeper. In the last minute of the half to maintain the three goal lead Catriona Ross made a great reflex save.

Half time 0:3

For the first 20 minutes of the second half possession was fairly even. Then Kilmarnock managed to score three goals in 7 minutes to take the score to 3.3. At this stage it was Kilmarnock who had the wind and the momentum and one of the Kilmarnock supporters boldly proclaimed that only one team was going to win this tie. Hibs Girls had other ideas and stepped up a gear. Emma Crooks came on as sub and gave some stability at the back. The second half lasted over forty minutes as it looked as though the ref wanted to avoid extra time.

But it was Hibs Girls that finished strongly. Anja Mcconnachie sent over a perfectly flighted corner which was met by Ellen Pia’s head to put the score at 4 v 3. Kilmarnock had an excellent chance to equalise with a shot from close range but luckily for Hibs, . to maintain the “groundhog theme” in the last minute of the half Catriona Ross made a great save to take Hibs into the next round.