Baillieston  2    Hibs 0  

League 13 March 2005

Line-up:  1. Corrie Davidson, 2. Kayley Ralton (Capt), 3. Kelly Forrest, 4. Nuala Deans, 5. Diane Fyfe, 7. Tricia McLaughlin, 6. Natalie Ross, 8. Lisa-Marie Boyd, 10. Kerry Montgomery,   9. Cheryl Edgar, 11. Sammi Hare, 12.  Ali McCaig,  13. Louise Kedslie, 14. Chelsea Bate.

Photographs by Alan Lomax
13/03/2005

Hibs travelled to Baillieston for the first time for what on paper was potentially an exciting game. The match started with end to end football, the game living up to expectations until the referee decided that he was going to be the centre of attraction. He first of all abandoned the game after he received abuse from a Baillieston parent only to restart the game after 5 minutes. He then booked Hibs Kerry Montgomery for clearing the ball up the park, admittedly Kerry's foot was high but it certainly didn't warrant a yellow card. Worse was to follow Kerry went up for a header which she won only to come down on top of a Baillieston opponent who was behind her, again the referee reached for his yellow card and then red and sent Kerry off who was left in tears wondering what she had done wrong. Another outrageous decision. In the aftermath a Baillieston player swore and the referee beckoned Hibs Tricia McLaughlin over and showed her the red card. In one short moment of disgraceful refereeing a fine game was completely wasted. Worse was to come as Hibs conceded from the resultant free kick and conceded a minute later before they could settle into playing with 9 players. In the second half Hibs battled hard and held their opponents while creating a few problems in the Baillieston defence. Great credit to the girls for a fantastic second half effort, the girls ran their socks off to cover the extra ground vacated by the two sendings off. Thank you to Baillieston's Stephanie Handley who apologised for the referee's display after the game. One Baillieston parent actually said that was one of the referee's better games, I sure wouldn't like to see him on a bad day. I'm sure the parent was joking. I for one don't understand why Baillieston continue to use this referee as he is quite obviously not capable, I had heard this from several teams before Sunday now I have seen it with my own eyes.

This may sound like sour grapes but believe me I would have rather been beaten 5-0 with a proper ref at least I could have walked away saying we deserved that.