U15's Match Report 01 October 2005

MUSSELBURGH WINDSOR   1   HIBS  1

                                                      Musselburgh Windsor U15

Played at Wallyford, East Lothian on Saturday, 1 October 2005 A bright and sunny morning in East Lothian saw Hibs start their first game against Musselburgh Windsor. Windsor were playing with a strong wind at their backs and it wasn't long before they took full advantage and forced a corner. Windsor player Gemma was on hand to score to give the home team a 1-0 lead after 3 minutes. Both teams then settled with most of the play concentrated in the middle of the park. Hibs stalwart Gemma made a number of good runs forward spraying the ball to Bryony on the right wing and Marielle in the centre. The Hibs players were having some difficulties in playing against the very strong wind and tried to keep possession and play the ball on the ground. Hibs launched a number of attacks with Charlotte finding Danni from an excellent throw-in on the left wing for her shot to go just wide just wide. Hibs continued to press with Rosie active in the box but Hibs best chance came on 28 minutes when Marielle brought a great save from the Windsor keeper with a fine shot. As the half wore on Hibs pushed further upfield with Charlotte and Kirsten increasingly pushing forward. Coral was able to mop up any counter attacks from the opposition and the halftime whistle would have been more welcome for the home side than the visitors. Hibs kicked off the second half hoping for the wind advantage to help them find the net. It was Musselburgh who launched the first attack coming close to Lauren’s right hand post. Unfortunately for Hibs the wind soon dropped and they were unable to press home that advantage. They did however settle into some good attacking play with a good run from Bryony out of defence that was halted by good marking by Windsor. Hibs came very close to an equaliser when ‘Supersub’ Laura was fouled just outside the box and Coral struck the cross bar from the resultant free kick. Coral tried another long-range effort a little later only to see her shot go just wide. Hibs seemed to be getting increasingly frustrated as the home side stifled their passing play with some good defending. The breakthrough came however midway through the second half when Charlotte played a long ball over the defence that was picked up by Gemma who lobbed over the keeper. Hibs continued to press for a winner with Coral bringing out a good save from the keeper from a free kick. It was not all one way traffic however and Lauren in the Hibs goal needed to be lively to clear a scoring chance in one of Windsor’s counter attacks. Stout defending was required on occasion and Ashley, Kirsten and Coral were equal to the task. Substitute Melia settled into defence very well and made a number of passes to send Bryony and Gillian on foraging runs. Gillian was unlucky not to get more from one of these attacks, however Hibs were unable to capitalise on the final ball. Hibs continued to press for the elusive winner and a mazy run from Gemma saw her beat 5 players to be eventually broken down by strong defending from the home side. In the dying minutes Hibs almost grabbed the winner when Gemma hit the post after being put through by Marielle. Despite having the majority of possession the winner eluded Hibs in an entertaining game that will give the Hibs manager some food for thought. Player of the match for Hibs was Gemma for her never say die attitude.