Dunfermline Athletic Girls 1 : Hibs Girls U15 2

Played at Pitreavie Playing Fields, Dunfermline on 15 October 2005

A bright and sunny morning saw Hibs take on Dunfermline Athletic girls in a friendly.  There were a number of changes in the Hibs line-up due to absences and to allow the manager to try out some new formations.  

The match quickly settled in to a tight affair with most of the play in the middle of the park.  Dunfermline launched a number of attacks but the Hibs defence looked solid in with Marielle, Melia and Rebekah holding the line with the ever present Coral as strong as ever in the centre.  The defence was ably assisted by Bryony, Gemma and Rosie who came back to assist when not pushing forward.

Dionne in the Hibs goal had to be quick to clear from a Pars attack on 10 minutes and pulled off a great save a few minutes later.  Hibs appeared to take note of these Dunfermline attacks and pushed further forward.  They came close on 15 minutes when Gillian’s shot grazed the bar after a good turn in the box.

The breakthrough came a few minutes later when Laura S flicked in from a corner to give Hibs a 1-0 lead. Laura S came close again 5 minutes later and Hibs now appeared well in control and were stretching the Dunfermline defence.  In addition to the forwards Danny, Rebekah and Gemma were often in attack.  A good run and shot from Gillian brought a good save from the keeper and she came close again just before half time with a shot that hit the sidenetting.

Hibs made a number of experimental changes for the second half.  Laura C came on at the back for Marielle who went into goal with Dionne moving up front. The manager adopted a 4-4-2 formation.

Dunfermline were quickly on the attack but were repelled by Rebekah.  At the other end Dionne's speed was soon in evidence and the Pars goalie had to clear from her feet.  Just afterwards Dunfermline almost equalised when a defence splitting ball was struck over the bar.

Relief for Hibs came in the form of another goal.  Good play from Gillian on the right found Dionne.  She cut the ball back to Laura S who lobbed the keeper to make it 2-0.

The goal seemed to settle Hibs and Dionne came close again after a long kick forward by Coral.  Rosie and Gemma were also forming a useful partnership on the left and were unlucky not to get more than a corner midway through the second half.

At the other end Marielle made a great save to deny the Dunfermline attack on the break.  She could do nothing however to stop Lauren of Dunfermline from pulling one back 10 minutes from time.

Hibs continued to attack however and great play from Gemma on the left forced a corner.  The ball was played in and Coral's goalbound shot was blocked.

Dunfermline were not out of it by any means and Laura C cleared off the line with 5 minutes to go to prevent an equaliser. Dunfermline were unlucky not to score a couple of minutes later.  Dunfermline threw everything at Hibs as the game came to a close.  The Hibs defence held out for a 2-1 victory in an entertaining and fast paced contest.  Player of the match for the second week running was again Coral.