Hibs  3  Paisley Saints   1       

League 01 May 2005

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

Scorer: - Kerry Montgomery (2) Tricia McLaughlin (1)

Hibs wound up their championship winning campaign with their second league win over Paisley Saints this season having beaten Paisley 3-0 away on the opening day of the season and with the title already in the bag they finished off in style with a 3-1 victory. Hibs were without the injured Cheryl Edgar, Chelsea Bate and Claire Weir.

Right from the off Hibs were playing attractive passing football but it was Paisley Saints who scored the opening goal against the run of play when Jane Ross ghosted in between Diane Fyfe and Corrie Davidson to direct a cross from the right into the Hibs net. Hibs continued to pressurise the Paisley Saints goal going close on numerous occasions and with the movement of Sammi Hare and Tricia McLaughlin up front and the craft of Natalie Ross and Lisa Marie Boyd in the middle, it was only a matter of time before the equaliser came. Hibs had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Patricia McLaughlin was clipped by the Paisley keeper as she knocked the ball past her however she did not have long to wait when she finished off a fine move to bring Hibs back on level terms. Hibs were then awarded a penalty when Natalie Ross was clearly barged over in the box and Kerry Montgomery calmly slotted home the spot kick. Hibs continued to pressurise Paisley Saints and Kayley Ralton headed inches over from a Tricia McLaughlin corner, The Paisley keeper saved well from Natalie Ross, Ali McCaig and Lisa Marie Boyd shots, Kerry Montgomery, Tricia McLaughlin and Sammy Hare all went close. Paisley could count themselves lucky to be only one goal down at half time.

Half Time Hibs 2 Paisley Saints 1

The second half went the same way as the first with Hibs dominating for long spells and Paisley rarely seen as an attacking force with Hibs back four of Kayley Ralton, Nuala Deans, Diane Fyfe and Kelly Forrest dealing with anything that came their way. Sarah Archibald, Lisa Marie Boyd and Kayley Ralton all went close to increasing Hibs lead with good shots and as in the first half Kayley Ralton guided a header from a corner inches wide with the keeper well beaten. Jane Ross went close for Paisley Saints with a left foot strike but lacked support on the day. Hibs third goal however was an absolute cracker Sammy Hare knocked the ball back to Kerry Montgomery who ghosted between two Paisley Saints defenders before smashing an unstoppable right foot drive high into the top corner of the net to round off an excellent personal performance. Natalie Ross was then brought down in the box but the referee decided the trip was accidental and played on. Sarah Archibald then turned and shot from 20 yards the ball only a foot the wrong side of the upright. Kerry Montgomery going for her hat-trick struck a good free-kick from 22 yards which the keeper could only parry out to Tricia McLaughlin who shot narrowly past from a tight angle. The game ended 3-1 to Hibs and on another day it could have been a lot more.

Full Time Hibs 3 Paisley Saints 1

Photographs by Frank Ross 01/05/2005